The Peru Gazette

• Dog Control Officer Hired 
• Youth Commission Member Resigns 
• Reduced Speed Limit Request for Telegraph Road. 
• Financing Sought for Phase #2 of Sewer System Upgrade 
• Hydrant Flushing to Begin 
• Council Satisfied With Heyworth Mason Park as a Concert Venue 
• America Cares Application Submitted 

Peru has a new dog control officer (DCO). At its Monday, July 12, 2021 meeting, the Peru Town Board voted to hire Clifton J. Christon to fill the DCO position. He has served as Schuyler Falls’ DCO for the past fourteen years; now, he’s working for both towns. Christon starts at $12,000 annually, with an increase to $13,000 following a 90-day probationary period. Christon can be reached at 518-420-9848.

The DCO is on call 24-7.  Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald served as acting DCO since David Drollette’s May 24th resignation. He responded to thirty-seven phone calls during that period, many from the same people calling at all hours of the day or night. 

Another Peru Youth Commission member resigned. Youth Commission Chairman Greg Mills resigned a few weeks ago. Now Bill Myers has submitted his resignation. Supervisor McDonald stated that the board would not act on Myer’s resignation at this meeting. 

A Peru resident asked the town board to decrease the 55 mph speed limit on Telegraph Road. First, the town will submit the request to Clinton County. From there, it will go to the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) for its approval. McDonald noted that DOT rarely approves speed limit reductions unless several fatal or severe accidents are reported on a highway or at an intersection. 

Financing phase #2 of the sewer system upgrade project will be the subject of a July 26, 5:45 p.m. public hearing. Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault needs to ensure that USDA Rural Development Administration has funding available for the project.  The project intends to provide good service for Elm Street and the Washington Street Orchard View development. It includes laying new sewer lines down Elm St., rehabilitating several maintenance holes, engineering expenses, and providing money for unforeseen cost increases. The board has not decided if it will proceed with phase #2. 

Water-Sewer personnel will be flushing hydrants beginning next week. Personnel will also be performing meter repairs and conversions to radio-read. 

Board members expressed satisfaction with the Heyworth Mason Park concert venue. Councilman Rick Barber estimated last Sunday’s crowd at 150 and said he’s heard many positive comments. Some people would like to see bathrooms replace portable toilets. Barber also mentioned improving parking by laying down a gravel base adjacent to the Little Ausable River.

Courtney Tetreault said a recent title search of the Heyworth Mason Park area revealed that Clinton County deeded the town two parcels of property, not one. The entire property has flood plain restrictions; however, one of the deeded parcels has more permitted uses than the other. Peru town boards have always been frustrated by the beautiful park’s restricted use. 

The town submitted its application for America Cares Rescue Act funding. Initial estimates placed Peru’s funding at just over $700,000; however, that figure is speculative. As a result, the town is in a wait-and-see mode.