The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Residents attending the Monday, January 9, 2012 Peru Town Board meeting learned that the town’s planned $3 million water system upgrades would cost a Peru water user owning a $150,000 home up approximately $100 to $200 annually over a 25 year bonding period. Town Supervisor Peter Glushko said the town will be subject to legal action and possible fines from both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Clinton County Health Department if the water quality isn’t improved. The project also includes improvements to the town’s aging water pipes and the repairs and upgrades to the water storage tanks on the Reservoir Road and in the hamlet.  Glushko said the board will seek grants and other sources of funding, but those couldn’t be guaranteed at this time. A  $3,001,500 twenty-five year water quality improvement bond would finance the project.  The board will hold community informational meetings to better inform the public.

Residents Michael Lawliss and Darrell Altizer thanked the board for maintaining the skating rink at the Little AuSable River Park. The board recently authorized repair of a damaged light pole at the rink and the fire department floods the ice. Lawliss said, “With little skiing or sliding this winter the kids need something to do.” Lawliss said that adults informally supervise the young people and that the hockey games attract several kids. Altizer mentioned the possibility of starting a sliding hill on the Heyworth Village side of the bridge. Greg Timmons assured Lawliss and Altizer that additional lighting is being installed. Installation of a second light pole was mentioned.

Responding to the needs of the Highway Department the Board accepted a $132,950 bid from Milton Cat of Milton, Vermont for a CAT DL Excavator Model 312D. A slightly lower bid was received, but it did not meet specifications. The track machine will be used for ditching at some of Peru’s beaver dams among other tasks.

Spring and Hurricane Irene related floods resulted in $1.2 million in town road repairs. While full FEMA reimbursement is expected, contractors must be paid. Therefore, the board authorized the supervisor to apply for a  $1 million, five-year, no interest federal loan.  The remaining $200,000 will be financed through short-term borrowing.  (At about the same time the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation announced that Peru would receive the $1 million loan.)

In other actions:

• The board reappointed Rob Bashaw to a seven-year term on the Town Zoning Board.
• Supervisor Glushko reported that he had met with a representative of Security Concepts to discuss upgrading the town hall security system. Greg Timmons is pricing steel doors.  Action should be taken at the next board meeting.
• Councilman Brandy McDonald spoke about the burglaries impacting the North Country. He asked residents to report anything that “doesn’t look right” to the NYS Police. Peru’s most recent robberies on the River Road and in a more remote location took place on December 29^th and January 3^rd. There have been more than twenty recent burglaries in Peru.
• The Elmore SPCA invited the board to tour its remodeled Telegraph Road facilities on January 15^th at 1 p.m.
• Highway Superintendent Farrell asked the board if the town has an obligation to salt icy sidewalks.
• Adopted an updated Dog Licensing Law.
• Adjourned about 8:30 p.m.