The Peru Gazette

Bruce Drive residents upset by bridge closure 

Peru is certified as a Pro-Housing Community

376 children have already signed up for fall soccer  

Peru, June 26, 2024 – About a week before the Peru Town Board’s Monday, June 24 meeting, Councilman Kregg Bruno indicated that he planned to resign from his board position. At Monday’s meeting, Bruno withdrew his resignation without commenting on why he planned to resign or changed his mind. A resignation would have come at a critical time, especially since Supervisor Brandy McDonald indicated he would resign in either September or October. Several critical decisions regarding culvert/bridge construction, sewer plant, and water filtration plant upgrades are on the board’s near-term agenda.

Bruce Drive residents John Robert and Karyn Langlais told the board they’re unhappy with the Telegraph Road closure a few hundred yards north of Bruce Drive. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell expects the road to reopen in July 2026. Farrell explained that planning,  engineering, and acquiring DEC and the U.S. Army Corp permits must be complete before culvert replacement construction begins. 

John Robert asked if one-lane traffic could be allowed or if the town could install a temporary bridge.  Farrell said he couldn’t open one lane because there’s been so much deterioration, “there’s nothing under the pavement.” He said DEC rejected building a temporary bridge last year, plus a temporary bridge would still require regulatory approval and would be expensive.  Farrell said he’s applied for a New York State Bridge NY grant three times, only to be rejected each time. He added, ”It would have paid  90% of the cost; it seemed like the logical way to go.”  Convinced it will never qualify for a grant, Peru will self-finance the $1.5 to $2 million project. 

Karyn Langlais shared how the bridge closure has significantly increased her daily commute, adding six miles to her total travel time. John Robert cited delayed access to fire and ambulance services and asked if declaring an emergency would speed the process. Supervisor Brandy McDonald said he would talk with C&S Engineering to see if it’s possible. 

In other news, Supervisor McDonald said the state notified the town that Peru qualifies as a pro-housing community. The designation means Peru will have priority access to state affordable housing funding.  Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guymup prepared the successful application. 

Youth Director Kristen Marino reported that she would reopen the fall soccer registration on July 1. Three hundred seventy-six children signed up at this point. Thanks to Clinton County Youth Bureau and Clinton County EMS, she’s also acquired two AED machines at no cost to the town, meaning all three town parks will have a machine. 

Mike Farrell reported that hot weather, frequent rain, and mechanical issues at the asphalt plant have slowed highway paving. He plans to buy asphalt from Upstone Material, which will cost $3 a ton more but should help compensate for the shortfall.

Peru may not get its electric dump truck. Orders are backlogged, and communities using the trucks have encountered low-temperature hydraulics issues. Farrell said the electric truck program is in turmoil.