The Peru Gazette

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday February 8, 2021, at the Peru Town Hall. Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald Supervisor; Mr. James Douglass, Councilman; Mr. Melvin Irwin, Councilman; Mr. Richard Barber; Councilman; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman and Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk. Also present were Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent and Ms. Pamela Barber, Confidential Secretary to the Board. Present via zoom Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent; Mr. Bob Guynup, Zoning Officer, Mr. Matthew Favro, Town Attorney, Mr. Dave Drollette, Dog Control officer and Mr. John Flynn, Recreation Director.

The meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM by Mr. McDonald, with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion by Mr. Bruno , seconded by Mr. Irwin to include the reports from the following departments into the meeting record: Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Dog Control; Code/Zoning Report; Supervisor’s Report; Court Reports; Web Site Report; Banking Report and Enterprise Report, Town Clerk and Youth reports.

Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried

Motion by Mr. Barber; seconded by Mr. Douglass to accept the minutes from the January 25, 2021, Regular Meeting.
Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried

Community Input

Mr. Ryan stated TOPS Market and Price Chopper have entered into an agreement for Price Chopper to acquire TOPS Market. Mr. Ryan stated there are pros and cons that could affect our TOPS located in Peru.
Mr. McDonald stated all Department Heads and John Ryan may attend the Town meetings in person starting with the February 22, 2021 Regular meeting. Zoom will still be available.

Mr. McDonald asked for Executive session to be moved to 10A on the agenda and Item 17 be removed.
Motion by Mr. Douglass; seconded by Mr. Bruno to move Executive session to 10A and remove Item 17.

Ayes 5 Nays 0

Davey Drive Road Acceptance/Turnover to Town

Motion Carried

Mr. Tetrault stated the water/sewer infrastructure needed to be documented if it hasn’t been. Mr. Favro recommended then the transfer would be filed.

The Town Board accepted the turnover with 5 Ayes. RESOLUTION NUMBER: 21.02.08-1

A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF PERU AND PERU FREE LIBRARY AND AUTHORIZING THE SUPERVISOR TO EXECUTE THE SAME.

MOTION: Mr. Barber SECOND: Mr. Irwin

WHEREAS, the Town Board members have the Contract between Peru Free Library and the Town of Peru before them,

WHEREAS, The Town Board of the Town of Peru did provide in its 2021 budget an appropriation in the amount of $80,000.00 to be paid from Account #A00.7410.0400 for Peru Free Library. THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, said proposed Contract is approved and the Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to execute said contract, AND, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call:
Richard Barber Jr.

Kregg Bruno James Douglass Melvin Irwin

Brandy McDonald Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays

YES NO x
x
x

x x

Acceptance of Trunk Sewer Main & Pump Station Reconstruction Contract to Rifenburg Contracting Co.

Mr. Bruno asked about Mike Metcalf’s remark for the need to “slow down the contractors” – Mr. McDonald stated Rifenburg has a tendency to go too quickly to get the job done and don’t keep up the “housework” on site. Mr. Tetrault stated two inspectors will be on site at all times during construction.

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 21.02.08-2

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CONTRACT WITH RIFENBURG CONTRACTING CORPORATION TO COMPLETE THE TRUNK SEWER MAIN AND PUMP STATION RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

MOTION: Mr. Bruno SECOND: Mr. Douglass

WHEREAS, the Town Board has before it a proposed contract with Rifenburg Contracting Corporation, Inc. to perform the work according to contract documents drawn up by AES, NORTHEAST for the above-mentioned project at a total price of $3,715,939.00 (Three million seven hundred nineteen thousand nine hundred thirty nine dollars and no cents;

WHEREAS, The work will be substantially completed by December 1, 2021 and completed and ready for final payment in accordance with Paragraph 15.06 of the General Conditions by June 30, 2022.

RESOLVED, said proposed contract is approved and the Town will endeavor to pay the contractor’s statements shall be paid within thirty (30) days after approval of the statement by Engineer, and the Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to execute said contract.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call: YES NO Richard Barber, Jr. x

Kregg Bruno x Mel Irwin x James Douglass x

Brandy McDonald x Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays

Approving Liz Tedford of Tedford Consulting to Submit Bridge NY Applications.

Mr. Farrell stated this was a separate agreement with Liz Tedford to file applications for Bridge New York funding.

Mr. Bruno asked for clarification about not exceeding a certain amount, which is not needed since contract is on a per hour basis.

A RESOLUTION APPROVING LIZ TEDFORD OF TEDFORD CONSULTING TO BE AUTHORIZED TO SUBMIT BRIDGE NY APPLICATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN OF PERU FOR THE CULVERT WORK AT TELEGRAPH RD./SULLIVAN RD. INTERSECTION.

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 21.02.08-3

MOTION BY: Mr. Bruno SECOND BY: Mr. Irwin

WHEREAS, the Town of Peru has determined that the Peru Highway Department needs to move forward with the Telegraph Rd./Sullivan Rd. Culvert Projects and the Town seeks to obtain grant funds to assist in the reducing the cost of the project to the Highway Fund; and

WHEREAS, the Town recognizes that work, generally including, perpetration of funding applications and documentation, will move the project forward while the town applies for said grants as available; and

WHEREAS, Liz Tedford Consulting has proposed to complete applications for the above work for a rate of $100.00 per hour; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes Liz Tedford, of Tedford Consulting for the above referenced work on behalf of the Town of Peru.

AND, BE IT
RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call:
Richard Barber, Jr.

Kregg Bruno James Douglass Mel Irwin

Brandy McDonald

Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nay

YES NO x
x
x

x x

Motion by Mr. Irwin seconded by Mr. Douglass at 6:17 PM to adjourn Regular meeting to Executive Session to discuss personnel issue with Mr. Favro.
Motion by Mr. Barber; seconded by Mr. Bruno to return to Regular meeting at 6:42 PM.

Acceptance of Employee Resignation

Mr. McDonald spoke with Ms. Crawford prior to the reading of the resolution. The board thanked her for 5 years of service.

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 21.02.08-4

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION OF CHRISTINE CRAWFORD FROM THE TOWN OF PERU COURT OFFICE.

MOTION: Mr. Barber SECOND: Mr. Douglass

WHEREAS, The Peru Town Justices has recommended that Town Board accepts the resignation of Christine Crawford offered February 1, 2021.

THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, the Peru Town Board agrees with the recommendation of the Town of Peru Town Justices to accept the resignation of Christine Crawford and her employment is terminated effective February 8, 2021. Her resignation will be effective immediately.
AND, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call:
Richard Barber Jr.

Kregg Bruno James Douglass Mel Irwin

Brandy McDonald Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Ayes

YES NO x
x
x

x x

LED Streetlight Replacement Update

Mr. McDonald stated an update is forthcoming.

Sewer Project Update

The project is expected to start late March to early April.

Other Business

Mrs. Miller stated tax installments are reconciled and all information has been sent to the Treasurer’s office. Full payments will continue to be collected at the Town Hall.

A Port Kent resident called and praised the town on the beautiful skating rink.

Mr. Farrell stated the Vantage Loader is still on schedule. He also asked about the handbook and sick time buyout issue status

Ms. Barber stated the handbook is work in progress and a maximum of 1320 hours can be accrued and could be the potential sick time buyout. The Board was not agreeable at this time for the sick time buyout to be included in the handbook.

Mr. Flynn stated a Hockey Clinic is scheduled- 3 participants to date – All information can be located on the Youth Commission Facebook page. Mr. Flynn and Mr. Tetrault discussed purchasing hockey nets. It was also requested that the information also be posted on the Town Website.

Mr. Guynup stated he will be taking his continuing education courses on line Friday February 12, 2021. Three items are on the agenda for planning board meeting. Mr. Guynup mentioned the 2020 report for Codes enforcement has been completed.

Public Comments on Agenda Items Only

Mr. Ryan asked for a begin date and end date for the sewer project. As stated in resolution and sewer update project- Late March to early April for start date and substantially completion by December 1, 2021 and totally completed by June 30, 2022.

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 21.02.08-5

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE POST-AUDIT PAYMENT OF CERTAIN CLAIMS, BILLS AND INVOICES OF THE TOWN

MOTION: Mr. Bruno SECOND: Mr. Douglass
WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed and audited the following claims, bills and invoices

for services rendered and goods provided to the Town in December 2020:
From Town of Peru Vouchers in December 2020; #20201479 through and including #20201481, Abstract dated February 5, 2021

For the dollar amount totaling: $11,259.95, of that, $700.00 was wired, credit cards and prepaid; and $10,559.95 is remaining to be paid and

WHEREAS, the Town Board finds said claims, bills and invoices to be acceptable in form and reasonable in amount;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that payment of the aforementioned claims, bills and invoices is approved and the

Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to make such payment; and be it further RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call:
Richard Barber, Jr.

Kregg Bruno James Douglass Mel Irwin

Brandy McDonald Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 21.02.08-6

YES NO x
x
x

x x

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE POST-AUDIT PAYMENT OF CERTAIN CLAIMS, BILLS AND INVOICES OF THE TOWN

MOTION: Mr. Douglass SECOND: Mr. Barber
WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed and audited the following claims, bills and invoices

for services rendered and goods provided to the Town in February 2021:

From Town of Peru Vouchers in February 2021; #202100084 through and including #2021000135,

Abstract dated February 5, 2021

For the dollar amount totaling: $235,226.76, of that, $157,408.67 was wired, credit cards and prepaid; and $77,818.09 is remaining to be paid and

WHEREAS, the Town Board finds said claims, bills and invoices to be acceptable in form and reasonable in amount;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that payment of the aforementioned claims, bills and invoices is approved and the

Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to make such payment; and be it further RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call:
Richard Barber, Jr.

Kregg Bruno Mel Irwin James Douglass

Brandy McDonald Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays

YES NO x
x
x

x x

Motion by Mr. Douglass; seconded by Mr. Barber to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:02 PM.

Ayes 5 Nays 0

_________________________Supervisor

_________________________Councilman _________________________Councilman

Motion Carried

_________________________Councilman _________________________Councilman