The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Peru residents will not see the expected major sewer system upgrade this year. At its Monday, June 8th meeting, the Peru Town Board unanimously rejected a $4,939,995 bid by Rifenburg Construction of Troy. The bid exceeded cost estimates by just over $1 million. Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald said COVID-19 restrictions delayed local contractors’ scheduled work; therefore, not a single local contractor submitted a bid. The Board plans to advertise for bids this October with construction in 2021. Town Attorney Matt Favro said the signed property easements expire at the end of 2020. They will have to be resigned. 

Supervisor McDonald reported that a recent meeting with municipal bond rating company S & P Global representatives went very well. S&P Global assigned Peru an A+ rating. McDonald said the S&P staff said very few towns receive such a high rating, which should result in lower interest rates for significant projects such as the sewer system upgrade. 

The Board accepted the resignation of IT provider Tom Lemieux effective at the end of June. The Board plans to interview Primelink, Inc. and Twinstate Technologies of Plattsburgh. The Board considered hiring a larger provider when they hired Lemieux in February 2019; however, the cost would have been $150 to $175 per hour plus mileage. The Town paid Lemieux $50 an hour. 

Lemieux will spend his last few weeks working to resolve software upgrades and system issues that began several weeks ago. The most severe problem involved the loss of all data from 2017 to the present. Lemieux recovered data up to March 2019 and he is working on completing the remaining restoration process. 

The Board delayed signing an annual term agreement with AES Northeast, its primary engineer on infrastructure projects such as the sewer system upgrade and complex issues at the treatment plants. Counselor Kregg Bruno said he needed more time to review the contract and commented that he isn’t happy with some of AES’ engineering charges. Bruno would like the Board to consider hiring another firm. After discussion, the Board agreed to take up the matter at its June 22nd meeting. Bruno agreed with other counselors that AES should continue as the primary engineer on its ongoing projects. The Board did approve a short-term AES contract to resolve EPA compliance issues at the water treatment plant. The problem involves filter backwashing, not drinking water quality. 

It appears that asphalt will replace the brick pavers in front of the Town Hall. Salt applications have deteriorated the pavers since their 2014 installation. The Board decided to contact Fuller Construction to determine the cost of asphalt paving and packing.  

Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup will administer NYS COVID-19 restaurant reopening regulations. Currently, restaurants can offer take-out service and restricted outdoor dining. Livingoods plans to erect a tent in its parking lot. Barriers must protect diners in an outdoor eating area. 

Over 100 property owners made their voices heard at three Board of Assessment Review hearings. In a typical year, the five-member Board accomplishes its duties in one session; however, a major property reassessment this year resulted in higher assessments for several taxpayers. The additional hearings raised the Town’s hearing cost from $1,100 to $1,700. 

Supervisor McDonald informed the Board that an NYSEG LED lighting program will permit the Town to install LED street light lamps at a cost not to exceed $2,788.85. After learning the bulbs should cut electricity costs by at least one-half, the Board quickly approved participation in the program.