The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Peru’s Water and Sewer Department may be facing personnel challenges within the next few weeks. Matt Hauser, one of the department’s three licensed water/waste water plant operators, is leaving town employment effective January 18, 2019. Mike Hanlon, who is also licensed to operate both plants, is expected to retire in the not too distant future. This could leave Water/Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault as the Town’s only licensed plant operator. New York State requires that a licensed operator and assistant operator be available at all times.

After reluctantly accepting Hauser’s resignation the Board scheduled a January 29th, 6:30 p.m. workshop to discuss finding a licensed operator. Courtney Tetrault said licensed operators are very difficult to find and will be impossible to hire at the Town’s normal beginning wage.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell is also facing a challenge. On January 4th a town snowplow loaded with sand rolled over while attempting to climb the very steep hill on the Reservoir Rd. leading to Mother Cabrini Shrine. Thankfully the driver was not injured; however, Farrell fears the truck may be declared a total loss. He told the Board, “I think the damage is going to be more than the truck is worth.” A 2003 International truck does not not have a high book value. Used plow trucks in good shape are very typically not available. Farrell said, I don’t like the idea of buying two new trucks in the same year but I’m not sure I’m going to have that choice…The insurance money may dictate where well go.” A new truck would cost over $200,000. Ironically, later in the meeting the Board accepted a bid of $206,700 from R.R. Charlebois for a 2020 Freightliner truck. That truck is a planned purchase included in the Highway Department’s budget. It takes seven plows to clear Peru’s 100+ miles of highways.

Farrell said the rollover occurred when the truck struck bare ice and slid backwards and sideways down the hill. He commented, “Thank God it stopped in the middle of the road. There’s a 30-foot bank nearby with trees.” Farrell added, “The driver Tyler Jarvis was not at fault. He did absolutely nothing wrong… There’s been six or seven other times, including myself, that a plow has come down that hill backward.”

Board members asked Farrell what measures could be taken to reduce or eliminate the problems on the hill. Closing the road during the winter months was mentioned; however, school buses apparently pick up children at a home along the hill.

Litigation between the Town and developer William Sawyer is still pending. Responding to a Peru Gazette question, Supervisor Brandy McDonald said that Town Engineer Peter Gibbs transmitted his findings to the developer’s representative Dean Lashway and that a meeting between the parties should be held in the next few days. The dispute involves sidewalk width and Sawyer not paving the shoulder. The future of the multi-million dollar development could be in jeopardy meaning a huge loss in tax, water and sewer revenue for the Town.

County Legislator Peter Keenan brought the Board up to date on Clinton County news.

Keenan reported that the United Airlines flights to Dulles Airport are filled or almost filled.

The County and several towns are exploring the possibility of establishing a fund to demolish or rehabilitate so-called zombie homes. Each town would contribute to the fund. Supervisor McDonald said he attended a meeting describing the program.

Keenan said that someone had contacted him to ask if something could be done to honor the late Joseph Kelley who passed away on December 21, 2018. Kelley was a World War II veteran, a longtime Clinton County District Attorney and Peru Central School attorney and Town of Peru attorney. The idea of naming Peru’s Court House in Kelley’s honor was suggested. Town Attorney Matt Favro asked Keenan to provide the Town Board with a resume/biography of Kelley’s life for the Board’s consideration.

In other actions the Board:

Received a recommendation from the Planning Board requesting zoning map changes along Davey Drive (behind McDonald’s). Eight parcels east of the Court House would be changed from a commercial district to a neighborhood commercial district. The owners of several multi-family units were given variances to build behind McDonald’s. Now the Planning Board wants to officially change the area’s zoning classification so that variances will no longer be required. The Planning Board’s action follows an application from Nathan Wilson to construct 4 fourplex buildings in the area being considered. The Town Board passed a resolution to hold a public hearing on the proposed zoning change on February 25th at 6:45 p.m. The County Planning Board must also approve the change.

Passed resolutions revising recently passed resolutions related to the Valcour Sewer Project Engineering grant and the Sewer Collection. The sewer collection upgrade project is now estimated to cost $4,618,418.

Received a letter from Elmore SPCA suggesting that seven towns each contribute $15,000 to enable construction of an area at Elmore to house dangerous dogs. Supervisor McDonald did not react favorably to the cost. There is an ongoing problem finding a local facility that will accept a dangerous dog: however, Peru has had very few dangerous dog incidents.

Reappointed Shawn Lucas to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a five-year term 1/1/19 – 12/31/23.

Reappointed Mark Hamilton to the Planning Board for a seven-year term 1/1/19 – 12/31/25.

Noting the recent destruction of the solar signs along the Walking Trail Supervisor McDonald said, “It’s a shame. The kids worked hard and Courtney Tetrault worked hard digging the holes.” McDonald asked residents to call the NYS Police if they see any vandalism taking place.

Click here to view December Department Reports