The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan 

The Peru Town Board’s made several important decisions and discussed several import issues at its recent meetings. They include preparing construction bids for wastewater treatment plant upgrades, preparing bid specifications for Phase #2 of the ongoing sewer line upgrade project, the possibility of paying for an expensive Telegraph Rd. bridge and culvert construction, and taking advantage of an opportunity to extend the town’s walking trail. 

On October 25th, the town board authorized the issuance of $9,9454,421 in serial bonds to finance a state-required upgrade to the town’s wastewater treatment plant. Not long after that, the town learned it qualified for a 0% loan. At the board’s December 29th meeting, Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault reported that NYS awarded Peru two grants totaling $2,366,290 to help finance the project. The town has also applied for a grant to pay up to 25% of the project’s total cost.

AES Engineering is preparing bid specifications to remove a lagoon at the wastewater treatment plant. The lagoon has only been used during high water situations since the early 1990s. The lagoon space will make room for the plant upgrades. 

The town will soon advertise for bids for phase #2 of the ongoing sewer line upgrade project. Phase #2 involves installing a new sewer line from the Peru Community Church down Elm Street to almost Jarvis Road.  Along with improving service, the new line would enable the town to decommission an existing line from Sanborn Lane to Owens DriveRifenburg. Rifenburg Construction of Troy, NY is in the final stages of completing phase #1. 

Town Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that the town might have to finance the entire cost of replacing the culvert and bridge on Telegraph Road near the Sullivan Road intersection. NYS didn’t include Peru in the latest NYS Bridges grant awards. Both structures are gradually eroding. Contractors hurriedly installed them following the 1998 floods. The town is pursuing further grants and the infrastructure bill Congress recently passed might be a help. 

When the Town of Peru constructed its walking trail, property owners John and Penny Clute granted an easement across their property for the portion of the trail exiting on Route 22. The town board periodically discussed extending the trail to Lapham Mills Park. Now, with the help of Assemblyman Billy Jones, the town has secured a $125,000 grant to purchase Clute’s 124-acre parcel. Town Attorney Matt Favro will attempt to reach a purchase agreement. The parcel extends north to within 1,700 feet the Lapham Mills Rd. The town would have to either get an easement or purchase the remaining 1,700 feet of property, plus build a bridge to reach the Lapham Mills Rd.