The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Residents John Ryan and Alex Gibson addressed the board during the community input section of the April 11, 20022 Peru Town Board meeting. 

John Ryan (Peru Gazette Editor) addressed the board on two issues: Attracting new residents and zoning law enforcement related to two abandoned, deteriorating homes. 

Ryan expressed his belief that Peru is competing with the Town of Plattsburgh to attract new residents and growing families. Both communities offer all the services people seek. Peru is currently upgrading its sewer system, in part, to accommodate future growth; however, the expansion is being financed by long-term borrowing, making an expanding tax base essential. 

Peru’s population declined 3.1%, from 6,990 (2010) to 6,772 (2020), while the Town of Plattsburgh held steady at 11, 870 (2010) vs, 11,896 (2020). 

Ryan gave the counselors handouts stating the following:  

• In 2020 Peru issued eighteen single-family residential building permits 
• In 2020 Plattsburgh issued twenty-two similar permits 
• In 2021 Peru issued eight single-family residential permits (-55.5%)
• In 2021 Plattsburgh issued twenty single-family permits (-9%), plus multiple affordable housing permits. 

Most children residing in the Town of Plattsburgh attend schools in either Peru, Beekmantown, or Saranac. 

Over the past four years:

Beekmantown Central School District K-12 enrollment increased 2.1%, from 1,871 to 1,910. 

Saranac School District enrollment has held steady at about 1,422 and 1,423. 

Peru Central School District enrollment decreased by 5.6%, from 1,877 to 1,772. 

Ryan noted that Peru’s subdivision growth is at a virtual standstill, especially at Orchard View (Washington Street). Ryan asked the board to be proactive in reaching out to new developers and to encourage current developers. He asked the board to research if affordable housing would be a good match for Peru. Many workers in our region’s growing industries might qualify for affordable housing. Today’s affordable housing is attractive and could be a community asset. Zoning-Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup commented that not long ago the town changed the zoning classification of a property adjacent to the Dashnaw Road in hopes of encouraging residential development. Guynup said that a group that is meeting to discuss changes in the zoning law might discuss affordable housing. Counselor Kregg Bruno said he has spoken to Mark Hamilton, who heads affordable housing in the City of Plattsburgh, about affordable housing. Bruno plans to continue that conversation. 

Ryan also discussed the deteriorating homes on School Street and North Bend Street presenting photos of the properties to the counselors. Bob Guynup stated that he issued a citation to the School Street property owner; however, the property owner failed to appear in Peru Town Court. Supervisor Brandy McDonald said the Peru Town Court gave the town a copy of a letter from the NYS Office of Court Administration advising that the Court should not issue arrest warrants for misdemeanor charges. Ryan said he consulted a local attorney who believed that the town could directly petition the NYS Supreme Court on zoning enforcement issues. 

Supervisor McDonald stated some time ago an asbestos assessment firm examined the North Bend Street home and deemed the building in such disrepair that it would be treated as all asbestos meaning It would cost approximately $30,000 for monitoring the asbestos removal and disposal. Ryan said it might be worth $30,000 to get rid of the situation. Michael Farrell interjected that he would be very concerned about setting a precedent. Counselors Kregg Bruno and Rick Barber cited similar situations in other towns where buildings have been deteriorating for many years. Ryan urged the counselors to continue researching remedies to the problem.  

Alex Gibson, who owns property at the dead-end of McGarr Road in West Peru, addressed the board. Gibson is concerned about Peru Highway Department’s truck turnaround area, which he believes is on his property. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said town snowplows had used the turnaround area since the early 1980s. Gibson said he wants to reach an amicable settlement with the town. The board referred the matter to Town Attorney Matt Favro for his opinion. 

In other town news:

The board is scheduling ten Sunday evening concerts at Heyworth-Mason Park beginning June 26 through August 28th, 6 to 8 p.m.

Mike Farrell plans to introduce a road salt reduction program next winter. Salt reduction reduces groundwater, stream, and lake contamination. Farrell recently visited Lake George and Hague, which have implemented the program. Now, he’s a believer commenting, “It works!” Hague reduced its salt usage from 400 tons to 150 tons per lane mile and might be able to go to 100 tons. Farrell cautioned that the equipment needed to start the program would be expensive; however, he’s confident that savings would be considerable over time. 

The board accepted Luck Brothers’ $1,257,000 bid to construct culvert wing walls at the intersection of Telegraph and Sullivan Roads. However, it does not include the needed 185 ft. long box culvert. Luck Brothers was the only bidder. 

The board also accepted Luck Brothers $1,000,505 bid for the Elm Street portion/or phase #2 of the sewer line upgrade project. Once again, Luck Brothers was the only bidder. Rifenburg Construction should complete phase #1 soon. The Maiden Lane pump station is online and the Sanborn Lane pump station will soon be online. 

The Peru Lions Club is organizing an April 23rd community-wide cleanup connected with Earth Day and the United Way’s Day of Caring Day. Casella Sanitation is donating bags and equipment for roadside pickup. (The Peru Gazette plans to publish a future story on the cleanup plans)

Councilman Melvin Irwin, the board’s Youth Commission liaison, has been working on improving the grounds at Sullivan Park. Irwin thanked Adirondack Farms for contributing “natural” fertilizer and said grass seeding would occur very soon.