The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Town Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell told town counselors at last night’s town board meeting that road repairs following Hurricane Irene flooding will cost the town about $300,000.  Farrell hopes that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reimburse the town for at least part of those expenses, but FEMA still has to assess Peru’s damages.  The roads requiring extensive repairs include the Reservoir Road, the Patent Road, The Mud Pond Road and the McGarr Road.  Two culvert replacements on the Patent Road were very expensive.

The Board approved the seeking of bids for three water and sewer projects.  A new water line will be installed on McDonald Place and sewer lines will be replaced on Locust Drive and the North Bend Street Extension.  Bid opening will take place at 10 a.m. on September 23, 2011 and work will begin on October 4, 2011.

The Town Board recognized Eagle Scout candidate James Downs for his Eagle Scout project. Downs constructed attractive flower boxes, filled them with flowers and attached them to the four signs on Route 22, Route 22B and the Bear Swamp Road. Downs thanked the Board for giving him the opportunity to do his project.

Elmore SPCA representatives Carol Solari-Rusco and Laurie Parsons brought the Board up to date on the organization’s mission, accomplishments and goals.  The SPCA plans to relocate from the Arthur Road to its former Telegraph Street building during October.  Phase I renovations are underway at this time.  Phase II will begin after the shelter is operating smoothly on Telegraph Street. Ultimately the SPCA needs more space, especially for the larger dogs.

Several towns, including the Town of Peru, contract with Elmore SPCA for its animal rescue services. However, the town contracts only cover about 25% of SPCA expenses.  Other revenue comes from fund-raising, donations, adoption fees and redemption fees.  It costs an average $200 to house each animal. The towns pay for the first ten days of care. Elmore pays for all the remaining days. Animals are housed for an average of 30 days. Staff, food and veterinarian charges are the shelter’s primary expenses.  All animals are neutered and receive rabies shots before adoption.

In other actions the Board:

• Adopted a Records Management Plan and Guidebook.  They were part of the town’s recently completed records management project.
• Reviewed two thank you letters from town residents for the excellent work done by the Highway department and the Water and Sewer Department following Hurricane Irene.
• Conducted an Executive Session to discuss the work history of a town employee.
• Set dates for developing and approving the 2012 town budget. A tentative budget will be ready for September 30. Budget workshops will be held on October 5 (Water and Sewer); October 12 (Highway); October 17 (General); October 19 (Salaries and Benefits); October 26 (an additional meeting if needed). A public hearing must be held by November 3^rd. The Board plans to adopt the budget on November 14.
• Approved renaming the Taylor Rd. in the Quaker Springs subdivision to Denali Drive.  This road no longer connects to the Taylor Rd.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.