The Peru Gazette

Peru Gazette File Photo

By John T. Ryan

Highway safety was the primary topic at the Monday, March 9, 2015 Peru Town Board meeting. The board appears to be determined to do its best to curtail accidents at the Brand Hollow Road – Military Turnpike Extension intersection. The board will request that the Clinton County Highway Department conduct a traffic study at the intersection and recommend a course of action. The board discussed installing improved signage, flashing lights or a traffic light. Some improvements are already underway at the town’s request. NYSEG is installing improved streetlights in close proximity to the intersection. More complex lighting would be expensive for the town. Installing flashing lights would cost at least $30,000 while a traffic signal would cost more than $130,000. The board’s actions follow a serious January 31^st accident and several previous accidents. A four-way stop was introduced a few years ago; nevertheless, many motorists continue to ignore the stop signs.

Superintendent Farrell spoke to the New York State Department of Transportation regarding safety concerns expressed by Peru resident Michael Blaine about the Main Street- Maiden Lane intersection. Route 22 is a state highway; therefore any changes would have to be approved by New York State. The State Police have stated that any vehicle proceeding west on Route 22 past Stewart’s should signal left prior to proceeding on to Maiden Lane. Motorists unfamiliar with the confusing intersection are undoubtedly at greatest risk.

The next phase of the Safe Routes to School Program should proceed in the near future. Bids were solicited for the second time and came in at $143,729, much less than the last time bids were sought. The project, which is totally funded by the Safe Routes to Schools Program, will proceed as soon as NYS Department of Transportation approval is received. A pedestrian activated electronic crossing signal from Lafleur Lane to the school campus is one of the project’s major improvements.

Increased school bus traffic on McIntosh Drive resulted in a complaint being made to Supervisor Peter Glushko. Approximately nine buses are traveling to the Peru Central campus via McIntosh Drive, a significant increase over past practice. Holden Avenue is wider and is the most direct route to the school entrance. Counselor Brandy McDonald said the buses are trying to avoid Holden Avenue’s dips and heaves. Supervisor Glushko will be calling School Superintendent Grimstein to discuss the situation. Highway Superintendent Farrell agreed that the street needs to be improved. He would like to repave Holden Avenue, narrow the street and install an asphalt sidewalk. Cement sidewalks have become almost prohibitively expensive.

Town Historian Ron Allen informed the board that the Mason family is donating a painting to the town. It depicts the Little Ausable River Falls and adjacent buildings as seen from Heyworth Mason Park. Phil Mason Jr. said the painting had hung in his father’s office for many years. The artist was Harold Lapham (1878-1919) who worked at the A. Mason and Sons lumber mill. The painting is being restored at this time, but it should arrive in a few weeks. The board plans to hang the painting in the town hall’s main meeting area.

The painting is being restored at this time.

The Board approved Local Law #1 of 2015, otherwise known as the Revised Dog Control Law. No one testified on the proposed changes at the public hearing that preceded the board meeting. LOCAL LAW #1 OF 2015 DOG CONTROL

Councilman Brandy McDonald encouraged Peru residents to attend the Oil Train Task Force’s monthly meetings. Rail shipments through this region have doubled raising public concern. Counselor McDonald is working on Wednesday and unable to attend the meetings.

In other actions or news the board:

• Designated the law firm of O’Connell and Abramowitz as the town’s Zoning and Planning Board legal counsel, replacing the law firm Stafford, Piller, Murnane, Plimpton, Kelleher and Trombley. O’Connell and Abramowitz is also the legal counsel to the Town Board.
• Discussed an insurance claim by Champlain Boat Works which occupies space underneath Dana’s Rusty Anchor Restaurant at 4016 Route 9. A control fuse in the town’s sewer system blew on a Friday evening last summer resulting in a sewage backup and damage at Champlain Boat Works. Sewer Superintendent Greg Timmons said the town’s insurance carrier would not cover the damage. The board left the matter for the town’s insurance company to resolve with the property owner’s insurance company.
• Approved the 2015 fuel agreement with the Peru Central School.
• Scheduled interviews with the five parties submitting applications to become the town’s new IT maintenance provider.
• Received a ‘Thank-you” letter from Life Flight for the town’s longtime support of the Life Flight Air Ambulance program. This year the town donated $750 to the program.
• Received a letter from William O. Morgan requesting reimbursement for replacement of a mailbox which he said was damaged by a highway department plow. Supervisor Glushko will respond to Mr. Morgan outlining the board’s mailbox policy; the town will pay for repair or replacement of a damaged mailbox, but only if the property owner can prove that the mailbox was installed in conformance with U.S. Postal regulations. The highway superintendent should be called to inspect the situation prior to performing repairs or erecting a new mailbox.

Counselor Bruno was not present at the meeting.