The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

There will not be a traffic signal installed at the Brand Hollow Road – Military Turnpike intersection in the immediate future. Hope, however, is not lost. If we have four more crashes in a one-year period we’ll qualify! That was the news Town Supervisor Peter Glushko delivered to town board members at the Monday, May 11, 2015 town board meeting. Following a January 31^st serious accident, the board asked the Department to conduct a Traffic Control Signal Needs Study to determine if a traffic light is warranted at the intersection. New York State requires that one of nine criteria or warrants must be satisfied to consider a traffic signal installation. The intersection did not satisfy any of the criteria. The NYSDOT accident history report (6/1/2009 to 5/31/14) stated that only three accidents occurred at the intersection over a five-year period. Five or more accidents, of a type susceptible to correction by a traffic signal, must have occurred over a 12-month period in order for a traffic signal to be considered.Click here to view the Signal Needs Study

The report further stated that in 2006 the Clinton County Highway Department and the Town of Peru performed a joint project to lower the elevation of the Military Turnpike for a distance of approximately 1,200 feet to the north of the Brand Hollow road, which considerably increased site distance. In 2009 the Town of Peru created a four-way stop control at the intersection and installed double “Stop Ahead” and “Stop” signs on the Military Turnpike approaches. Since the most recent accident NYSEG has installed a streetlight at the intersection at the town board’s request.

Over the past few months several residents (including this reporter) have witnessed motorists “blowing through” the intersection at high speed. Supervisor Glushko, frustrated with the report’s findings, asked Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell to research the cost of installing solar powered flashing red lights on top of the intersection’s four stop signs. Glushko said, “We need something to get people’s attention.”

In other town news Town Clerk Kathy Flynn told the board she is interested in setting up a Neighborhood Watch in her McIntosh Street neighborhood. Flynn said that there have been instances in the last week when young men have been involved in suspicious activity. One young man knocked on her neighbor’s door and asked to use a bathroom. Two young people parked in front of a neighbor’s home and when questioned they said they were waiting for a friend who was behind a McIntosh Street home. Supervisor Peter Glushko told Flynn to contact the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, which is responsible for coordinating Neighborhood Watch programs.

The board approved a $150 per hour consulting agreement with Public Sector HR Consultants LLC. The board is seeking expert advice on Employee Handbook issues, especially time clock policies.

Repairs to the historic Lyons Road School House will cost $1,200 more than expected. Contractor Donald Bell received a contract to perform $7,600 in repairs to the historic building. In the process of performing the repairs he discovered serious deterioration of a sill plate. The board approved $1,200 in additional work.

At least three individuals and families would like to purchase memorial benches for the Little Ausable River Walking Trail and the Laphams Mills Park. The William Kivett family is purchasing a bench for Laphams Mills Park to honor their father who served as Town of Peru Engineer. Two other families have indicated that they would like to purchase benches for the walking trail.

A fence still needs to be installed adjacent to the walking trail under the Route 22 Bridge. C&E Fencing submitted a $3,193 installed price for a 150-foot, 5 ft. high fence.

The board approved the purchase of online/cloud computer system backup from Carbonite, an on-line backup provider, at an annual cost of $899. Counselor Donald McBrayer has pushed hard for the off-site back up of town records. If a fire or other disaster occurs, town and court records should be easily retrievable from Carbonite.

Town engineer Peter Gibbs discussed truss corrosion at the Highway Department’s salt and sand storage building. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said that two steel trusses are definitely corroded. Gibbs would like to examine all the trusses. He also noted that the existing structure will not accommodate twenty to thirty percent of the town’s salt and sand stockpile resulting in runoff and environmental concerns.

It appears that problems with the Highway Department’s garage roof will never go away. Moisture has been discovered leaking from the newest roof section. Gibbs said it might need more insulation and/or ventilation. Gibbs will prepare formal proposals for the board’s May 27^th meeting.

Planning for the July 19^th second annual International Peruvian Festival is continuing.

Supervisor Glushko will be a guest speaker at the VFW’s Memorial Day services. Counselor McBrayer will be is back-up speaker if Glushko cannot attend.

Counselor Jim Douglas thanked Adele Douglas for coordinating and planning the May 2^nd Walking Trail tree planting. Volunteers planted 275 trees in about two hours. Douglas had the trees in place, the tools on hand and the tree locations marked making it very easy for the volunteers. It seems that everything Adele Douglas does is extremely well done!

Tax Collector Kathy Flynn reported that she has closed her books on the 2015 tax collections.

Supervisor Glushko and other counselors stated they are still open to having a dog park at Heyworth/Mason Park. Someone just needs to volunteer to put it together.