The Peru Gazette

Highlights of Peru Town Board’s October 14th Meeting by John T. Ryan 

Peru has a major sewer system upgrade in progress; now, the town board is planning a significant upgrade to the wastewater treatment facility. After treatment, Peru’s wastewater flows into the Little Ausable River and then Lake Champlain. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has given Peru until 2024 to install a wastewater disinfectant system. Water-Sewer-Parks Superintendent Courtney Tetrault said Peru would like to install a UV treatment system, a technology that he says has several advantages over the age-old chlorine treatment process. Click here to view a UV system in Scottsdale, AZ. 

At its October 11, 2021 meeting, the town board hired a bond counsel, declared that the project would not have an adverse environmental impact, and initiated a grant application process by authorizing AES Engineering to act as its agent in securing New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement Act funding. Town officials believe grants will finance a significant portion of the project; however, it still must pass a resolution to borrow $9,954,421 via serial bond funding. The public will have a chance to learn more about the upgrade and its funding at an October 25, 5:45 p.m. public hearing.  

In other actions, the board determined that Clifton Christon has satisfactorily completed a 90-day probationary period.  He is now officially Peru’s Dog Control Officer (DCO), paid at a $13,000 annual pay rate. Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald commented that Clinton County is considering taking over dog control with dog control officers serving several towns.  

Renadette Road residents submitted a speed reduction request that the board accepted.  The board will forward the request to county and state officials for review. Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald remarked that NYS just denied a similar request from Telegraph Road residents. He did not give the reason for that action, but he has often stated that NYS doesn’t approve speed reductions until after one or more severe accidents occur.