The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Town Supervisor Peter Glushko included some of his 2017 priorities on the Town Board Monday, January 9th Agenda.

Moving forward on sewer system upgrades is definitely priority #1. Glushko requested and received the Board’s permission to contact the town’s bonding attorney to initiate long-term financing of the $4 million+ project. Water/Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault commented, “Grants and low-interest loans aren’t available today, but they should be coming up.” Glushko said, “We’ll have to set priorities and do the project in phases. We’ll have to look everywhere for grants. Fortunately, we will qualify for more grants based on the recent community survey. “ Counselor Jim Langley said, “Governor Cuomo has been stressing infrastructure investments. The timing may be very good for us.” Click here to see a Peru Gazette story on the income survey and the needed upgrades. 

Glushko would also like a long range plan formulated for the stone building at Heyworth/Mason Park. He stated, “We need to think about what we want to do with that building. Are there minor things we can do so it doesn’t look like an abandoned building?” The fact that the building lies in an EPA designated flood plain inhibits first floor options. Glushko said, “We have to check out what we can legally do.”

Town Historian Ron Allen remarked that ideas have included creating office space on the second floor and a museum on the third floor. Glushko commented, “There is grant money available for museums.” Using the first floor as a community meeting room has also been suggested. When Glushko asked for someone to head up a committee no one volunteered. (Counselor Donald McBrayer was excused from this meeting) Ron Allen said he believed McBrayer and Adele Douglas would be willing to work on a committee.

Courtney Tetrault reported that the Health Department’s recent water system inspection was successful. The Health Department recommended that water be sampled twice annually for lead and copper and that fire and security alarms be installed at the water plant. Tetrault said, “Overall the Health Department is very happy.”

Highway Superintend Michael Farrell reported that he has found a less expensive method of repairing the Parsons Road culvert. A Vermont firm will weld the culvert’s studs at a cost of $4,300 and a concrete base will be laid. The total cost should be considerably less, though not as long-lasting as a slide-in liner. Neither the Army Corp of Engineers or the DEC would approve the liner.

In other actions the Board approved a seven-year reappointment of Tom Fusco to the Zoning Board and a seven-year reappointment of Allison-Hulbert Brice to the Planning Board.