Peru – Highlights of the Peru Town Board meeting of Thursday, May 30, 2019
By John T. Ryan
Replacement of the sinking Patent Road culvert has been estimated to cost at least $250,000. An 8 ft. or 10 ft. wide box culvert will have to be installed to meet U.S Army Corp of Engineer requirements for a fish stream. The work will have to be contracted out. The possibility of acquiring some state aid is being explored. A bond will have to be issued to finance the work. 
NYS has notified Peru that the sewage treatment plant will have to install disinfection equipment no later than 2024. The Board authorized hiring Tedford Consulting of Saranac to research grants at a cost not to exceed $3,000.
Supervisor Brandy McDonald said a meeting between Washington Street developer Bill Sawyer and DEC officials went well. DEC has cited Sawyer for eight permit violations and ordered construction to cease pending correction of the violations. Issues between the Town and Sawyer regarding shoulder and sidewalk width have not been resolved.
The Board agreed to a $24,750, 18-month agreement with AES Engineering to develop a plan to upgrade the Valcour sewage treatment facility. The plan is necessary prior to applying for a grant to help fund the project. If the grant is awarded the Town would be reimbursed for the $24,750.
The Board hired Wayne Wells as a Highway Department Motor Eqipment Operator (MEO) at a pay rate of $17.05 an hour. Wells has a Class A drivers license, but does not have snowplow experience.
Counselor Rick Barber reported that Laphams Mill Park has been inundated by the nearly daily rainfall. There has been up to 8 inches of standing water in some places. Two fields are open, but two are not usable. Some teams will be playing games in South Plattsburgh. Very few practices have been held. Courtney Tetrault said he is attempting to reduce damage to the fields by renting lighter weight lawn mowers.
Construction on the first of four fourplex Davey Drive apartments has begun. Water lines are being installed and should go online in the next few days.
Most Youth Commission volunteers have taken and passed the online background check. A few people have not taken the check.
Paving and culvert replacement projects are being delayed by the constant rainfall.
Counselor Melvin Irwin brought up the possibility of conducting a survey to determine exactly what Peru residents expect from town government and its leaders.
NYS Police have issued many speeding tickets along the Bear Swamp Rd.
Counselor James Langley asked about the possibility of painting a crosswalk at the Holden Ave. – School Street intersection. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said students ignore the Jenkins Street crosswalk. Langley said some people drive much too fast on School Street.
Posted: June 5th, 2019 under Town Board News.