The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Highway Superintendent Mike Farrell learned some of the challenges of elective office at the Town Board’s May 28, 2009 meeting.  On or about May 21^st the town highway department applied double yellow lines to Winding Brook Road and the newly named Bloomfield Drive.  Farrell said he applied the lines for safety reasons after receiving reports of speeding youthful drivers in the area where young children are playing and walking. He believed the lines would prevent drivers from passing and would reduce speeding.  At the Board meeting eight to ten Winding Brook Road residents arrived as a group and several spoke voicing dissatisfaction with Farrell’s decision. Lynn Patno asked why Winding Brook Road has become a major road. She said the street passes through a residential area and is not a state highway. She wondered who authorized the highway painting. Another resident said the street no longer feels like a country road.  Thomas Gilbert said he is a new resident and he believes that the yellow lines have invited increased traffic into the neighborhood and devalued his property. Others wondered why their opinion had not been requested before the work was done. One resident said he was not aware of any speeding drivers in the area. Town Supervisor Donald Covel said he would confer with Highway Superintendent Farrell and that the Board would discuss the residents’ concerns prior to the board’s June 8^th meeting. Speed bumps were mentioned as an alternative remedy. Highway Superintendent Farrell said grinding is the only way to remove the yellow paint from the pavement. 

In other actions the Board:

• Received Highway Superintendent Farrell’s report that a town highway department truck sustained electrical fire damage. The truck had to be towed by V.S. Jerry.  Farrell reported that road salt is taking a heavy toll on town trucks and he is going to have to undertake a more intensive regular maintenance program. He said he is learning that it does not pay to delay maintenance.
• Announced that earlier in the day they had opened a bid from Ti Sales for 553 Neptune water meters, reading equipment and associated software in the amount of $70,863. The meters will automate the water meter reading and input process. The result should be reduced personnel hours and increased billing accuracy.  It should be noted that the town is also applying for a grant that may cover a significant part of the cost of these meters. The town currently has 200 to 250 of the Neptune meters in operation.
• Discussed appointing a person to the Planning Board to replace a member who has refused to take the required oath of office. A resolution to appoint Eric Blaise is expected to be offered at the Board’s next meeting.
• Received the resignation of Ms. Christina Frenyea as Town Hall cleaner. The position will be advertised.  The Supervisor will write a letter commending Ms. Frenyea for her good work.
• Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell announced that the Strackville Road will be paved beginning June 15^th and work will be done on the Allen Hill Road and River Road at the end of June or early July.
• The Board has not made a decision on appointing a successor to Counselor Cortland Forrence.
• The Counselors then went into executive session to discuss a contract issue.