The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

At the September 9^th Town Board meeting Peru Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell told the Town Board that repairing the highway department’s garage roof would cost less than expected.  At the Monday, September 25^th Board meeting Farrell reported that the town’s engineers think that it’s too late to start the project this year. By the time final plans are drawn up, cold weather will have arrived.

Farrell also brought the Board up to date on the September 16^th theft of a Highway Department pick-up truck. The alleged thieves have been apprehended and the truck has been impounded by New York State Police. The 2005 Chevy Silverado diesel sustained an estimated $8,923 in visible damages. Damage to the vehicle’s transmission has not been determined.

Responding to the concerns of several Peru farmers the Board unanimously voted to amend proposed changes to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The proposed agricultural overlay would have set aside certain areas of the town for agriculture use. The counselors voted to amend Section 8.1.1 to read “future concept” rather than something being enacted at this time. The farmers didn’t want to restrict the future use of their property to agriculture should the time ever come when it isn’t a viable industry.

Water Superintendent Greg Timmons delivered good news on the $3.2 million water system improvement project. Timmons reported, “The new mixer was installed on the blue tank today. The filters are online and running and the reservoir is done. It’s just cleanup items now.”

The Town of Peru may have another legal issue on its hands. During the public comment portion of the meeting Fuller Road resident Sharron Hemingway attempted to ask questions regarding flooding of her property.  Supervisor Peter Glushko told Hemingway he had been informed that she had filed legal papers on the issue with the New York State Attorney General. Based on the advice of legal counsel the Board would not respond to questions on the issue. Glushko told Hemingway that she was welcome to make comments. She made no comments.

In other actions/news the Board:

• Set bidding in motion for the Fuller Road culvert repairs. Bids can be submitted until 10 AM on October 18^th. They will be awarded at a Special Meeting on October 22^nd at 6:30 PM and the contract will be signed at the October 28^th Regular Board meeting.
• Set a public hearing date for the new Zoning Law: October 28, 2013 at 6:30 PM.
• Learned that more vandalism has occurred at the Heyworth-Mason Park.  Someone drove a truck on the walking trail resulting in minor damage.  The Board continued discussion of installing video surveillance. The gate leading to the park will be locked during the nighttime hours, although the vandalism reported at this meeting took place during daytime hours.
• Learned that the installation contract for playground equipment at the Laphams Mills Park is still not ready for approval. The preferred contractor does not have the required workman’s compensation insurance.  The equipment was purchased in February.
• St. Augustine’s Parish had the property it purchased from the Roger Wright Estate surveyed. Since the property is adjacent to the Town Hall, the exact property boundaries will be established.
• Town Clerk Kathy Flynn stated that she is concerned with the number of registered sex offenders who reside in the town. Town Attorney Donald Biggs said that town laws couldn’t be more restrictive than state laws. According to Biggs Level Three offenders cannot reside within 1000 feet of a school.  The same restriction applies to Level Two offenders if their crime involved the sexual abuse of a minor.
• The Highway Department will be paving the Fuller Road between the Bear Swamp Road and the Sullivan Road on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.  The Town strives to pave 5 miles of town highways annually. Superintendent Farrell has stated that $59,000 per mile is his current rule of thumb for paving cost.