The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Highlights of the Peru Town Board meeting of February 10, 2020.

Supervisor Brandy McDonald stated that the Town has applied for a $125,000 grant to begin extension of the walking rail to Laphams Mills Park. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said the Board will have to decide where the trail will cross the Little Ausable River because the trail would have to lead to a bridge crossing the river. Another grant would have to finance the bridge. Water Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault commented that a walking trail from the Buttonwood development to Sullivan Park might be a better option. Walkers currently use a make-shift path through the woods.

Town Clerk Dianne Miller reported that as of January 29th all property taxes have either been paid in full or installment payments have been scheduled. Several Board members complimented Miller for scheduling convenient office hours.

Responding to questions from this reporter, Supervisor Brandy McDonald said the Town has been doing its best to bring a School Street property and a Pleasant St-Elm St. property into compliance with the Zoning Law. The School Street property has been deteriorating for many years. A plywood sheet that once boarded up a front porch window has been laying on the ground. The Pleasant St.-Elm Street properties have not been painted for many years.

Carol Rock, Vice- President of the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum, thanked the town for its support and summarized the museum’s 2019 progress. She said the museum will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2020 with new and exciting adventures being planned to help with the celebration.

In 2019 the museum was able to:
Host about 13 school field trips as well as a few visits from Senior Housing groups.
Add a baby changing station in the new family bathroom
Purchase several new picnic tables
Purchase a new self-propelled lawnmower to help with upkeep of the grounds
Continue interior work on the Goshen store with the complete restoration completed during the 2020 season.
Complete the exterior restoration of the Goshen store.
Purchase 2 machines for the woodworking building including a 24-inch planer and an 1860s-band saw. Both are in working condition and will be demonstrated throughout the upcoming season.
Refurbish the driveway and paths around the museum grounds to make them more accessible
Construct a better viewing area for the animals.
Construct a Stagecoach Depot to educate about the role of the stagecoach in Peru and to protect the stagecoach from inclement weather.
Hold 3 successful fundraisers – a Chinese Auction, a bottle drive (thank you Brandy for your help with this project) and a Lottery Frame Raffle. The museum is also participating in the Amazon Smile Program.
Educate and entertain visitors with presentations by Master Gardeners, Sylvan Spinnery, The Champlain Valley Woodworkers, Speedy Arnold and Mitch Willette who shared their special skills and knowledge at the museum.

In other actions:
The Board accepted the 2020 town procurement policy.

Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup will assist in forming a committee to determine if solar farm regulation is needed. A public hearing on solar farms preceded this meeting.

A sewer upgrade project workshop was scheduled for March 2, 2020 at 6 p.m. Twenty-easements for the sewer line path have been obtained with about 20 easements still needed.

Please Note: The video of this meeting is not being posted because of sound technical issues.