The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan 

Peru – The Peru Town Board appointed Kristen Marino as Interim Recreation Director at its August 22, 2022, board meeting. Marino will hold the position until the board hires a replacement for retired Recreation Director John Flynn. Marino previously served as assistant recreation director. She told the board she is a certified coach for modified softball ball and track and has coached varsity track and gymnastics. Marino said she doesn’t anticipate any children being on a waiting list for fall sports. There will not be an opening day event; instead, there will be a final day event and a moving-up ceremony. Thus far, 352 children have signed up for the fall soccer program. 

New York State imposed a 2023 budget 2% tax cap for all municipalities. Noting that Peru, especially the highway department, is encountering increased expenses, Supervisor Brandy McDonald explained why a local law permitting the town to exceed the tax cap is necessary. He said, “We have no intention of exceeding the cap, but a law has to be in place now, not later. We’d rather be safe than sorry. We want to be safe with everything going on, highway department expenses, and a double-digit health insurance increase (13% to 15%).” The board scheduled a public hearing regarding the local law for September 26 at 5:45 p.m. McDonald emphasized the board would not make a final decision on exceeding the tax cap until its annual budget meeting. Last year that meeting was held in mid-November. 

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell asked town attorney Matt Favro to engage NYS DOT and the Peru Central School regarding water drainage issues in the vicinity of the Pleasant Street school entrance road. Heavy rain runoff from school property and NYS Route 22B adversely impacts several Elm Street residents. School property and state highway water runoff enters drainage lines and flows down a hill to Elm Street. Favro stated that the school and state are causing the problem; therefore, NYS DOT and Peru Central School, not the Town of Peru, should resolve the issue. 

Supervisor McDonald reported that Clinton County officials reviewed the town’s recent stage construction at Heyworth Mason Park. They concluded that the town had not violated any NYS flood plain regulations. 

In other actions, the board: 

Accepted a $25,550 bid from Granite State De-icing Supply of Merrimack, NH, for highway department salt brine application equipment. There was only one bidder. 

Approved Christopher Malin’s resignation from the Water-Sewer-Parks Department. Malin accepted a similar job with the City of Plattsburgh, where employees reportedly earn higher hourly wages and have more potential for pay growth. 

Approved a Sunday, September 4, See 3 Band concert at Heyworth Mason Park. There will be a bonus concert next Sunday, Sept. 4 from 5 to 7 pm (earlier due
to darkness).  The band canceled a previous concert due to a family illness.