The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

The March 9, 2020 Peru Town Board meeting was chaired by Deputy Supervisor Jim Douglass. Supervisor Brandy McDonald was on vacation.

Plans are moving forward on Peru’s sewer system upgrade project; however, there’s been a change of plans. The project will be done in two phases – Maiden Lane and Elm Street in 2020 and Elm St. in 2021. Water/Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault said the Town has been unable to reach an acceptable easement agreement with a Sanborn Lane property owner meaning the pump station serving Elm St. will have to be reengineered and relocated. Hopefully bids on phase #1 will be let in early April with construction beginning in June. The change may entail additional costs. A sewer system upgrade workshop was scheduled for Monday, April 9 at 6 p.m.

It appears the Highway Department may have a new position. Superintendent Michael Farrell proposed converting the group supervisor’s position to deputy superintendent. Calling it a safety net Farrell explained that if something happened to him or if he had to be absent for such things as a family medical emergency the deputy would have the legal authority to make purchases, sign the payroll and lead the department. He said several other local highway departments have this position and that a pay increase would not be required unless the Board decided to so. No counselor expressed opposition to the proposal which would require job description approval by the county and state. Farrell indicated he would like to appoint Lloyd Provost to the position.

Farrell also reported meeting with Assemblyman Billy Jones and Senator Betty Little when he made his CHIPS (Consolidated Highway Improvement Program) lobbying trip to Albany. One of his major concerns is funding major culvert replacements which cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Farrell would like to see major project financing removed from the tax cap requirements. He indicated Assemblyman Jones agreed with his proposal.

At the Board’s February 24th meeting Councilman Kregg Bruno suggested that the Youth Commission conduct more winter youth programs. Responding to a Peru Gazette question Youth Councilman Rick Barber said, “I spoke with John Flynn and Greg Mills and they said we have the biggest turnout (53 kids) at Whiteface as far as kids go.” Kregg Bruno commented, “I had my numbers wrong. Mr. Mills does a nice job running that program. The winter’s almost over. We might be able to get more programs going next year.”

Deputy Supervisor Jim Douglas commented the Town of Peru should be proud of Dan Lennon and Charles Remillard who qualified and participated in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta, GA. Douglass called it a great accomplishment.

Councilman Bruno said the Town should also take great pride in Peru High School graduate Jordan Bushey who recently won the National Junior College Association’s 174 pound National Wrestling Championship.