The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Peru Gazette Editor John Ryan was the only member of the general public who attended last night’s 2011 Public Hearing for the 2011 town budget. All Board members were present with the exception of Susan Polhemus who was excused.

Town Youth Director John Flynn and Assistant Youth Director Kathy Flynn had questions for the Board. The preliminary budget calls for a reduction of $2,785 ($4,285 to $1,500) in the Assistant Youth Director’s salary. Kathy Flynn asked how the Board had made this decision and if the Board understood her job responsibilities.  Supervisor Glushko said that the Board had talked to the Youth Director about the assistant’s job responsibilities and after consideration they decided that $1,500 is the appropriate pay. John Flynn asked, “Why would you want to change something that runs really well?” Flynn said he doubted if anyone would take the position for $1,500 and said programs would have to be cut.

Comments from the other counselors made it clear that they agreed with Glushko’s statement. Councilor Kregg Bruno said the Board is attempting to make cuts wherever possible including freezing its own pay. He stated that the Board believes that John Flynn is well paid ($18,027 in the 2011 budget) compared to other communities and that he should be assuming more responsibilities. Counselor Jim Douglass said the Board does not want to eliminate any programs and hopes that between John Flynn, Kathy Flynn and volunteers, the programs can continue.

Kathy Flynn said that her duties include organizing the summer programs: swimming, arts and crafts and the playground programs. She trains and supervises the twelve teenagers running these programs and assists them when needed. She also organizes the programs, schedules children and orders supplies. Fifty to seventy-five children participate in the swim program and anywhere from six to thirty children attend the arts and crafts program. Attendance varies from day to day. The assistant youth director also assists the youth director in organizing baseball and softball registration and with setting-up and conducting clinics for new program participants. Kathy Flynn also handles program publicity. She recalled how much the youth program has expanded since John Flynn took over eleven years ago. John Flynn asked if any town employees other than his assistant were facing salary reductions. Counselor Brandy McDonald mentioned reductions in a few budget items, but he didn’t name another specific employee facing a substantive salary reduction.

Here are the town spending trends since 2002 for the three most significant budget accounts: