The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

A few weeks ago the Peru Town Board learned that Clinton County’s 2012 sales tax collections exceeded estimates. At the Board’s January 28^th Town Supervisor Peter Glushko stated the increased collections resulted in the Town receiving a check in the amount of $108,618.75. In January 2012 the Town of Peru received $1,266,506 from Clinton County for projected 2012 sales tax collections. Sales tax collections reduced a Peru taxpayer’s share of county taxes from $6.05 per thousand dollars of taxable value to $2.95 (a credit of $3.10 per thousand). Peru’s portion of Clinton County sales tax collections is based on the total assessed value of Peru’s property relative to other Clinton County communities.

The Board resolved to sign a $6,474 contract with the Elmore SCPA for 2013 services. The SPCA will house stray, surrendered and dangerous dogs. The Board had delayed renewing this contract pending clarification of the SPCA’s dangerous dog policy. The SPCA will continue to accept dangerous dogs.

Elmore SPCA Board President Laurie Parsons and Board Secretary Carol Solari-Ruscoe were present at the meeting to answer any questions. In the course of the discussion Supervisor Peter Glushko stated that the Town of Peru is financially responsible for medically stabilizing a dog, not for medical treatment.  The owner is ultimately responsible for any treatment.  The Town budgeted $24,420 for 2013 dog control: Elmore SPCA services, DCO, Assistant DCO and misc. expenses. In 2013 the Dog Control Officer (DCO) brought 33 Peru dogs to Elmore and Peru residents surrendered 9 dogs.

In other actions and updates:

• Supervisor Glushko stated he would be erecting the legally required sign on property owned by Thomas Powers adjacent to the Town Hall. Powers has refused to grant the town an easement for a sewer line upgrade. Eminent domain procedures will proceed.
• Supervisor Glushko reported that Councilwoman Susan Polhemus has completed the annual Internal Audit Update. All was in order with one exception. Polhemus noted that the same employee is depositing money in the bank and reconciling bank statements. She recommended that these functions be separated or performed by at least two employees.
• The South Acres Mobile Home Park sewer project has been successfully completed. The new system should give the owner the capacity to add 20 additional mobile home lots if needed and up to 60 lots with minor improvements.  Supervisor Glushko noted that the project resulted in more affordable housing being available to town residents.
• The Town’s procurement policy is being updated to include required provisions for women and minority contracts.
• Town Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that the excavator purchased last year was used for 284 hours. At the January 14^th meeting Councilman Kregg Bruno claimed the machine had only been used for 20 hours and he questioned the need to purchase the machine.
• Replacement of the Town Highway Garage roof is still under discussion.  Supervisor Glushko stated that Grant Writer Liz Tedford is researching grants and low interest loans.