The Peru Gazette

Other important topics:
Meeting time to change
$20K grant awarded
Planning and Zoning Board chairs and vice-chairs approved
Highway Dept. employee comp. time OK
Back-up generator for Town Hall

By John T. Ryan

At the Peru Town Board’s January 13, 2020 meeting Zoning Board of Appeals Liaison Rick Barber told the Board that the Zoning Board is requesting guidance on solar farm development. Developers have expressed interest in constructing solar farms at least three locations in Peru. Barber said they’re especially interested in property near 3-phase electrical lines. A solar farm proposed by the Hamilton family on the Mannix Road has already been approved. That required a use variance. The Town Board scheduled a workshop for 6:30 p.m. on February 10th to get community input and to determine the need for a solar farm ordinance.

Water/Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetreault said the town has been awarded a Lake Champlain Basin $20,000 grant to help purchase phosphorus control at the hamlet plant and to assist with chlorine control at the Valcour plant.

The Board also:
Approved moving Town Board regular meeting times from 7 pm. to 6 p.m. The new time works better with board and staff schedules. Only two members of the general public regularly attend Town Board meetings.

Approved standardizing water and waste water control systems and power control systems with two companies. Water/Sewer control systems will be provided by Aqualogics Systems of Syracuse. Electric power systems will be provided by Kohler Inc. of Kohler, Wisconsin. Water/Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault said standardization should result in reduced maintenance costs and issues.

Approved Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board appointments for the following volunteers and noted that volunteers are needed to serve on both boards.

Richard Williams as Planning Board Chairman
Ryan Davies as Planning Board Vice-Chairman
Jim Falvo as Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman
Sean Lukas as Zoning Board of Appeals Vice-Chairman
James Bosley as a Zoning Board of Appeals member
Bosley has is completing the term of office of a member who resigned from the board.

Scheduled a Board workshop for Monday, February 3, 2020 to discus the sewer system upgrade project.

Verbally consented to Highway Department employee compensatory time up to a maximum of 60 hours if a Highway Department employee prefers compensatory time rather than overtime pay. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said some employees prefer compensatory time and the Town saves overtime expense.

Approved Supervisor Brandy McDonald’s proposal to purchase a 20 k.w. gas power generator and related equipment. During a recent ice storm McDonald rented a generator from Hahn Welding to electrify the Town Hall if power went out. Counselor Rick Barber noted that the Peru Fire Department does not want to be the Command Center in emergency situations. McDonald said Peru is the only town without backup power in emergency situations. Prices will be sought from at least three vendors at a cost not to exceed $4,950. Counselor Jim Douglass said people at Apple Valley Senior Housing expressed thanks to McDonald for his offer to help people during the storm. McDonald commented that Hahn Welding notified the Town that there would be no charge for the generator rental.