The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Highlights of the Peru Town Board meeting of January 25, 2016 included: The possibility of more youth activities, highway department expenditures, Main Street planning, cell phones for department heads, high praise for a town employee, zoning and planning board leadership, dog identification and other matters.

Counselor Donald McBrayer reported that the Peru Youth Commission is considering participation in a Clinton County program directed at children who are not involved in the popular competitive sports. The program could include activities such as dancing, archery, soccer golf/foot golf, karate and pickle ball.

This winter’s changeable and warm weather has hampered youth commission efforts to activate a skating rink near Sullivan Park. A plastic barrier will have to be installed beneath the ice surface. The rink’s future largely depends on Mother Nature.

A highway department employee backed a truck into a highway garage door. The new door including installation will cost approximately $4,000. The loss will not be covered by insurance because it falls within a $5,000 deductible policy provision.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell indicated he plans to lease a Gradall excavator for five years annual lease price of $58,000. Counselor Jim Langley asked if he considered a used machine noting that Elmer Duprey had purchased a used machine and it had lasted about 17 years. No decision was made.

Mike Farrell did have a bit of good news. Asphalt prices purchased through the Clinton County contract have fallen from $54.20 a ton to $48.62.

Counselor Donald McBrayer reported that River Street Consulting representatives recently toured Main Street and Bear Swamp Roads. By mid to late February they should issue a report recommending upgrades to Peru’s main streets and business corridor. McBrayer said, “They will be incorporating our ideas and ideas they’ve seen work in other communities.” The Main Street Planning Committee will then consider the consultants’ recommendations and seek more community input. The consultants’ fee and approximately $150,000 in upgrades will be paid by a NYS grant.

The town will be purchasing cell phones for each department head. Currently department heads use their personal phones for town business for which they are reimbursed.  Supervisor Glushko said the current practice contradicts written town policy.

Counselor James Langley submitted an internal audit of Peru Town Court. Langley praised Court Clerk Holly Stone for her exceptional accuracy and organizational skills. He was impressed!

Zoning Board members chose Rob Bashaw as 2016 board chairman and Jim Falvo as vice-chairman. Planning Board members chose Richard Williams as chairman and Benjamin Wright as vice-chairman.

Town Clerk Kathleen Flynn will be furnishing a list of licensed dogs to the Elmore SPCA. On a few occasions the SCPA has detained dogs pending verification of an active license. Supervisor Peter Glushko urged residents to place a license and an owner identification tag on their dogs. Dog Control Officer David Drollette said he would return any identified dog to its owner rather than taking it to the SPCA. Dog owners must pay a boarding fee prior to redeeming a dog at the SPCA.

The town will not be plowing the road into Heyworth-Mason Park beyond the gate located about one-half way to the parking lot. In response to a question from resident Les Bradford, Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said plowing would tear up the stone road. Supervisor Peter Glushko said anyone desiring to use the walking trail for cross-country skiing should park either at Little Ausable River Park or at Sullivan Park.

The 2016 salaries for the water and sewer superintendent and the assistant court clerk were incorrectly stated at the 2016 organizational meeting. The published salaries did not include the approved .5% pay raise. The board voted to correct this error retroactive to January 1, 2016.

Peru has the third highest assessed property values in Clinton County, behind the City and Town of Plattsburgh. Sales tax distributions to cities and towns are tied to assessed values.