The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Ms. Hillary David addressed the board regarding her building at 692 Bear Swamp Rd. a building once occupied by a veterinarian practice. She has opened a dog and cat rescue facility; however, there appears to be a question if the zoning law permits a facility of this nature at that location. Unfortunately, Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup was on vacation; therefore, he wasn’t present to respond to Ms. David’s concerns. The board and town attorney, Matt Favro appeared to be sympathetic, but they told David that her situation is a planning and/or zoning board matter, not a town board issue. 

In other actions, the Town Board: 

• Amended the sewer upgrade project bond to include phase #2 of the project authorizing the town to borrow $6,433,926. (Note – The Board subsequently scheduled a Friday, September 30, 11 a.m. Emergency Meeting to rescind this resolution and replace it with another resolution.)

• Expressed satisfaction with the Sunday, July 25 Peru Town Market at Heyworth Mason Park. Councilman Rick Barber and Melvin Irwin said everything went very smoothly. Barber suggested laying down gravel or millings in the parking area. He would also like to see bathrooms installed in the stone building. Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault said his personnel could install bathrooms if the board decides to do so. 

• Discussed a dispute with the Peru School District regarding a washout situation at the end of School Street. The Town Board believes a pipe carrying school runoff is causing the washouts. Attorney Matt Favro stated that neither the town nor the school owns the property; therefore, the school should be responsible if its runoff is causing the problems. 

• Transmitted four resident highway speed reduction requests to the Clinton County Highway Department. The county will consider the requests and further them to the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) for consideration. DOT makes all final speed limit reduction decisions. The requests involve Valley View Drive, the Signor Rd. between the Calkins Road and the Ausable town line, Telegraph Rd. between Route 442 and the Ausable town line, and the Lyons Road between the Rock Rd and Plattsburgh town line. 

Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault reported that the sewer upgrade project is going well. The contractor has to reinstall the sewer line from the east side to the west side of the Route 22 bridge. AES Engineering detected a line dip that needs correction. Town Attorney Matt Favro commented that it had been great working with AES Engineering. He said AES keeps a close watch on the work and does a good job representing the town’s interest. 

Tetrault asked the board to permit an exception in its equipment standardization policy. Koehler has been the town’s preferred sewer generator provider; however, its generators will not be available until February or later. Tetreault recommended purchasing a Generac generator if one is available.