The Peru Gazette

Peru – Social media posts led some to believe that there would be loud dissent at the Monday, March 12, 2018 Town Board Workshop on the Main Street Plan; however, while several residents expressed concerns, the overall tenor was positive. Concerns centered on tree placement, tree maintenance and doubt as to whether a tree-lined street would slow traffic as intended. This phase involves Main Street from Maiden Lane to the Dollar General. Click here to view detailed plans. 

Main Street Committee Leader and Grant Writer Adele Douglas began the meeting by reviewing the plan’s goals: to make Peru’s Main Street more attractive and to slow down traffic thereby making it more friendly to bikes and pedestrians. She summarized saying, “More trees, more grass, slower traffic. Pedestrians are more comfortable. Trail users can loop through town. It will hopefully be good for future businesses.”

Alice Provost expressed several concerns. She remarked, “I’ve paid people to cut trees down.” She voiced concerned about the trees interfering with power lines and the leaves being blown into her swimming pool. Adele Douglass said shorter trees will be planted where the power lines exist, but residents will be expected to maintain the trees and the grass.

Provost also mentioned parking for special events at St. Augustine’s Church such as funerals and the Applefest. Douglass admitted the improvements will involve a trade-off saying “It is worthwhile to have a more attractive Main Street, hopefully slow down traffic and make it more attractive to pedestrians versus having it being more challenging when there are special events? I don’t disagree about parking for special events.”

Others mentioned the large trucks that travel on Main Street. Douglas said the plan no longer includes narrowing of the Maiden Lane – Main Street intersection. Courtney Tetrault said the driving lane will still meet state specifications and the road will stay the same width. No parking will be lost on the north side of the street. There may be some parking lost on the south side. Others stated that the town has higher priorities such as repairing sidewalks, dealing with abandoned homes and improving street drainage.

Mike Seminario said several people are concerned about the trees affecting visibility. Mary Kay Ezero said the trees will restrict access for repairmen working at her home. Brandy McDonald responded, “These plans can be adjusted. They are not set in gold. We can work on that.”

Judy Kirby commented, “What do we want our town to look like? We’re all invested in it.” Allison Hulbert Bruce said she and her husband use the walking trail. Walking trail loop appeals to her. She remarked, “I think this is going to buffer you from the traffic. I’m on the positive side. I’m excited.”

Ed Schiffler was concerned about the sidewalk width saying the drawings depicted the sidewalk as being ten feet wide in front of his home. He remarked, “Tearing out a sidewalk that’s in and putting in a ten foot sidewalk doesn’t make sense to me… I’m not sure planting trees is going to slow down traffic. There needs to be a lower speed limit on Route 22.” Adele Douglas stated that this phase of the plan does not include widening the sidewalk and that future phases might include widening the sidewalk to eight feet, not ten feet.

As the meeting neared a close Councilman Jim Langley said, “I think the biggest concern is the placement of trees, who is going to be responsible and how high will they be. I think we’ll have to make the contractor aware of what the nuances are for everyone’s property.”

Committee member Jerry Ross, who is an avid bike rider, said he can foresee cyclists being drawn into Peru and business positively impacted, thereby increasing the tax base. Committee member Dr. Ann Marie Spear commented, “Hopefully, we can compromise and see the big picture and work together.” She complimented Adele Douglas saying none of this would have been accomplished with her hard work, time and her ability to work with the committee.

Supervisor Brandy McDonald mentioned social media posts where people were concerned about the Town financing the project. He said the project is 100% funded by a New York State grant. No town money will be expended. He recalled that when the walking trail was conceived many people were vocal in their opposition. He said, “We heard nothing but negative, now thousands and thousands of people are using it.”

Following Monday’s workshop the Peru Town Board conducted its regular meeting and voted 4-0 to proceed with letting bids on the project. The Board is hopeful that the bids will come in considerably less than the $170,000 state grant.