The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

The major news at the Town Board’s May 11^th meeting was the level of interest in filling the position that opened up when Cortland Forrence resigned his seat on the Town Board. Six Peru residents submitted a letter of interest and resume to the Town Board and will be interviewed for the position. They include: James Falvo, James Douglas, Donald McBrayer, Kregg Bruno, Frederick Hoffman, and Susan Polhemus.The Board decided to interview the candidates in executive session on May 26^th and May 27^th. During the public comment portion of the meeting this reporter questioned the legality of conducting these interviews in executive session. The town attorney will review the matter.  The fact that any interviews are being conducted is unusual. The majority party (Republican) members could simply vote to fill the position with their appointee or vote to leave the position vacant until the fall elections. It remains to be seen if the majority party would appoint a person who is a member of another party. 

The Board also established May 28th as the public hearing date for the Board’s proposed amendments to the Outdoor Wood Boiler Law. The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. Copies of the amended law are available at the Town Hall.

In other actions the Board:

• Resolved to go out to bid for the purchase of 530 new water meters and one water meter reading system.  Bond Anticipation Notes will be issued to pay for the cost of the new meters. The Board also authorized grant writer Adele Douglas to apply for a $63,000 grant that may help offset the cost of the meters.  Water and Sewer Superintendent Greg Timmons told the Gazette that it’s difficult to get replacement parts for the existing meters that date to 1976 and 1977. The new meters should be more accurate and the meter reading system should enable one person to take the meter readings rather than two.  The meter reader will touch a reader pad to the business or residence meter pad. At the end of the day the data will be downloaded to the town’s computer system.
• Passed a resolution to declare an employee’s cell phone as a $5.00 monthly fringe benefit. The Internal Revenue Service had directed the town to establish a cell phone policy because the IRS takes the position that employee cell phones are used in part for personal use.  Employees will not be charged $5.00 monthly; they will only have to declare $5.00 monthly as income.  The Board is also going to review which employees have cell phones and why. The cell phone plans will also be reviewed.