The Peru Gazette

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Thursday October 11, 2018 at the Peru Town Hall.  Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald Supervisor; Mr. James Douglass, Councilman; Mr. James Langley, Councilman; Mr. Melvin Irwin, Councilman; Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk.  Also present were Mr. Matthew Favro,Town Attorney; was excused but was able to arrive in a timely manner to discuss Sewer Project; Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent; Mr. Bob Guynup, Zoning Officer; Ms. Pamela Barber, Confidential Secretary to the Board ; Mr. James Kirby, Town Justice Mr. Dave Drollette, Dog Control Officer.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mr. McDonald, with the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Motion by Mr. Langley, seconded by Mr.Douglass  to approve the minutes from the September 24, 2018 meeting.   Ayes 4   Nays 0 Motion Carried

Motion by Mr.Irwin, seconded by Mr. Langley to include the reports from the following departments into the official record of tonight’s meeting.  (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; and Banking Reports).   Ayes 4   Nays 0 Motion Carried

Community Input and Questions

John Ryan asked for the status on The Main Street Project. The contractor is still waiting for the WBWE waiver. Adele Douglas has filed an extension to amend the completion date.

Vac Truck repair update

Mr. Tetrault stated the water pump repair will be $ 7000.00.  The mechanics are still trying to trouble shoot the hydraulics.

Sewer Collection Project Update

Motion by Mr. Douglass seconded by Mr. Irwin to move item 8 on the Agenda to 12A

4 Ayes 0 Nays

Town of Peru Water and Wastewater System Energy Assessment

August 2018 a water and wastewater energy assessment was performed by the New York Rural Water Association. The recommendation given to reduce energy is to install variable frequency drives on all blower motors.

Peru School Solar System Trail Project

Posts are all mounted. Students are weather proofing signs. Ribbon cutting ceremony will be scheduled next week.

Employee Handbook Update

Ms. Barber stated 3 years has passed without the employee handbook being updated. The updated handbook will include the new tobacco free and anti-discrimination  policies.

RESOLUTION NUMBER : 18.10.1-01

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TOWN’S ANNUAL TERM AGREEMENT FOR  THE AES PROJECT  #4154 WITH AES NORTHEAST, PLLC FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES AND AUTHORIZING THE SUPERVISOR TO EXECUTE THE SAME.

MOTION: Mr. Langley SECOND: Mr. Irwin

WHEREAS, the Town Board has the Short Form Agreement between the Town of Peru and AES Northeast for engineering services for the Town before it NOW,

THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, said proposed agreement is approved and the Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to execute said agreement.

AND, 

BE IT RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call:		YES	NO
	James Douglass	x
	Mel Irwin	x
	James Langley	x
	Brandy McDonald	x

Carried: Ayes 4 Nays 0

Sewer Collection Project Update

Mr. Tetrault and Mr. Favro stated the need of easements on Elm Street from residents. 

 A public informational meeting will be scheduled. 

Other Business

Mr. Langley stated a small change at the schoolhouse.  Additional repairs were done with an added cost of $1000.00.

Mr. Tetrault stated Valcour water pump area is all excavated and Bear Swamp is near completion. A $13,000  increase for  water testing permits required by the D.E.C.

Mr. Farrell stated Valcour Heights is paved, only shoulders need to be installed. Road is boxed in on Liberty Street. 

Mr. Guynup stated his legal allotment with the pending litigation for a building violation will be exhausted. More funds will be needed.

Ms. Barber stated N.Y.S. signed into law effective October 9, 2019 that all employers are to adopt a written sexual harassment policy.    

A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE TOWN OF PERU REVISED

 NON-DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT POLICY

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 18.10.11-2

MOTIONED BY: Mr. Langley  SECONDED BY:  Mr. Douglass

WHEREAS, the Town of Peru (“Town”) currently has a Non-Discrimination and Harassment (Including Sexual Harassment) in the Workplace policy set forth in the Town’s Employee Handbook; and

WHEREAS, on April 12, 2018, Governor Andrew Cuomo created the New York State Prevention of Sexual Harassment Law as part of signing into law the 2019 New York State Budget; and

WHEREAS, the new Prevention of Sexual Harassment Law mandates that all New York State employers, including the Town, adopt a policy that meets specific minimum standards established by that law; and

WHEREAS, the Public Sector HR Consultants LLC has prepared an amended Non-Discrimination and Harassment (Including Sexual Harassment) in the Workplace that meets those minimum standards; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board officially adopts the amended policy (as attached hereto) and will incorporate said policy into the Town’s Employee Handbook.

ROLL CALL: YES NO

Jim Douglass                           x

Mel Irwin                                 x

James Langley                         x

Brandy McDonald                   x

CARRIED:     4      YES NO

ADOPTED BY THE TOWN BOARD ON:  October 11, 2018

       

CERTIFIED BY: ___________________________ ___________________________

Brandy McDonald, Supervisor Dianne Miller, Town Clerk

Public Comments on Agenda Items Only

Mr. Ryan asked for clarification on the AES Agreement. No dollar amount is adopted the resolution is for services to be rendered.

Mr. Ryan asked which budget line are  the funds for the increase in the schoolhouse repairs being taken from. Mr. McDonald responded from the historian budget.

Motion by Mr. Langley seconded by Mr. Irwin to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:52  PM.      Ayes 4 Nays 0   Motion Carried

_________________________Supervisor  _________________________Councilman

_________________________Councilman _________________________Councilman