Budget Approved, Disagreement with Washington Street Developer, New Trucks for Two Departments, Almost $57,000 in Unpaid Water-Sewer Bills and More
By John T. Ryan
Peru – Peru has its 2019 town budget in place. The Town Board approved the budget at its Thursday, November 15, 2018 meeting. Tax rates will remain stable while maintaining services. Supervisor Brandy McDonald called it a great budget. He expressed thanks to the counselors, department heads and especially to his confidential secretary Pamela Barber who guided him through the process. This is McDonald’s first year as budget officer.
The Town of Peru and Washington Street Extension developer William Sawyer are at loggerheads over the street’s sidewalk width and the street’s unpaved shoulders. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell stated that he specified a 5 ft. wide sidewalk and a 24 ft. wide street including two feet of paved shoulder. Sawyer constructed a 4 ft. wide sidewalk and a 20 ft. wide street with 2 ft. wide stone-based shoulders. Sawyer maintains he was not informed of these requirements. Farrell will not accept the road as a town road until his requirements are satisfied. Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup stated that he cannot issue a Certificate of Occupancy for the home under construction on the street until Farrell accepts the street. Farrell and Sawyer met this past Monday, but could not reach an agreement. A court fight would be expensive for both parties.
The Board accepted a bid of $32,707.51 from Carmody Ford Inc. of Greenwich, NY for a 2019 Ford F-250, four-wheel drive crew cab truck for the Water and Sewer Department.
A lease agreement with Riley Ford of Chazy for a 2018 Ford Escape to be used by the Code Enforcement Officer was approved. Riley’s price was about $3,800 less than a competitor. Riley Ford took the officer’s Jeep truck in trade allowing $2,500. The total cost after trade-in will be $10,163.
104 Peru property owners are not up to date on their 2018 water and/or sewer bills in the amount of $56,920.70. The Board approved the re-levy list meaning the amounts owed, plus a 10% penalty will be added to the property owners’ property taxes. When questioned by Counselor Melvin Irwin, Supervisor Brandy McDonald said, “This happens every year. I’ve seen it higher and I’ve seen it lower. We will get the money.” Several bills involve multi-family dwellings.
A public hearing was scheduled for November 26, 2018 at 6:45 p.m. The project is being funded by a grant from Environmental Facilities Corp and a low interest loan from USDA Rural Development. The hearing is to “hear” from the public on the project. It is required because a NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation low interest loan is financing the project.
The Board will hold an IT workshop on December 10, 2018 at 6:15 p.m. to discuss suggested upgrades to the town’s IT system.
NYS has not responded to the Town’s request for an extension of time to complete the Main street upgrade project.
A $3,825 Youth Department inter-fund transfer was approved. The funds will be used to purchase clay for Laphams Mills Park.
Clinton County has closed the Davern Road bridge near the River Road. Several months ago the bridge was deemed unsafe for heavy vehicles. Since a snow plow exceeds the safe weight, the bridge has been closed. The bridge had been scheduled to be replaced last summer. Hopefully, it will be replaced in the summer of 2019.
The Highway Department’s new trailer has arrived and has been licensed.
Two new Highway Department employees will be driving snow plows.
Avoiding snow plow damage to mailboxes is always a challenge. When a mailbox is legally installed and damaged as a result of being struck by a Town plow, the Town will replace it. The Town does not replace mailboxes damaged by plowed snow.
Editor’s Note: The paragraph on the November 26th public hearing was corrected and clarified on November 29, 2018.
Posted: November 16th, 2018 under Highway Dept. News, Town Board News.