Burning Photo Ignites Grass Fire
Town Board April 12, 2021 Meeting Highlights:
Councilmen Rick Barber reported that a young woman set her former boyfriend’s photo ablaze near Peru’s former wastewater lagoons adjacent to the Brand Hollow Rd. Barber said the blaze ignited a grass fire that burned a 300-foot x 300-foot area and was spreading. The Peru Fire Department and one or two other departments were called to the scene to extinguish the blaze. Barber was not aware of any arrest being made.
The board scheduled a public hearing for a local law for May 10 at 5:45 p.m. at the Town Hall. The Local Law #1/ Providing For Prior Notification of Defects involving the existence of a defective or hazardous condition at a town-owned or maintained property. It required that written notice must be filed if any civil action is to be maintained. Notices must be filed with either the town clerk or highway superintendent.
Resident Scott Coleman expressed an interest in conducting a volunteer-driven community-wide trash pick-up day. Supervisor McDonald said liability issues prevented the town from sponsoring a clean-up, but he welcomed the concept saying he would look into it. McDonald said he would help on his own time and believed the town could furnish the trash bags.
Resident John Ryan stated that some communities are conducting broadband surveys to determine precisely which residences or businesses do not have broadband service. Supervisor Brandy McDonald said that Verizon’s ongoing work would result in total town broadband coverage to the best of his knowledge.
Ryan suggested that the board notify NYSEG and state officials in writing of NYSEG’s failure to inform any town officials before last year’s work on the Bear Swamp Rd. The contractor installed very high poles damaging several residents’ lawns in the process. Vehicular traffic was also delayed. Town Attorney Matt Favro said it would have been good if NYSEG notified the town, but there is no legal requirement. The board did not agree to put a complaint in writing.
Peru’s inactive town and court records are about to be evaluated, re-boxed if necessary, considered for retention or purging, and indexed according to NYS guidelines. As it did in 2011, the board hired Alden Stevens to do the job. The cost is not to exceed $11,000. Attorney Matt Favro commented that Stevens would have access to sensitive records. He suggested that Stevens place a background check on file.
Peru Town Court will have a new part-time court clerk effective March 26. The board authorized hiring Andrew Bizga at a starting pay rate of $13.72. On May 1, his pay will rise to $15.83 per hour. The town is implementing a new pay-step system effective May 1.
T-Mobile is requesting additional antenna space and new generation space at the town’s water tower. The town is negotiating a monthly lease rate and scheduled annual rate increases.
Road cutting for the sewer upgrade project started Monday, April 12, 2021. Excavation near the Sunrise Drive wastewater treatment plant should begin on April 13, followed by work on North Bend Street.
Street sweeping continues. Quaker Springs, Quaker Highlands and Ormsby Circle are next on the highway department’s schedule.
Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said he is anticipating a salt price increase; therefore, he’s stocking up. The town uses about 1,500 tons annually.
Some dog owners are letting their dogs go off-leash, meaning Dog Control Officer Dave Drollette has been called to Heyworth-Mason Park to inform people of Peru’s leash law.
The town has not received any update on the dollar amount of COVID-19 Relief Act monies it will be receiving.
At 8:03 p.m., the board adjourned to an executive session to discuss personnel issues. Supervisor McDonald stated that the board would take no actions following the session.
Posted: April 15th, 2021 under Fire Department News, General News, Town Board News.