The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan 

Highlights of the Peru Town Board’s Monday, November 23, 2020 meeting:

Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald participated in the meeting online via Zoom.

Following a 5:45 p.m. public hearing where no one testified, the Board voted to proceed with the sewer line upgrade project. The Board will not know the exact cost per user until bids are received, and the project’s scope is finalized. Councilor Rick Barber recalled that it was last estimated at $80 per quarter for the typical user; however, the exact cost will depend on a property owner’s assessed value.  The Board approved a resolution to increase the project’s maximum “not to exceed” limit from $4.618,000 to $5,424,000. Engineers scheduled the bid opening for December 5; however, they notified the Board that they would delay it by about one week. Three contractors have expressed interest in bidding. 

Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault noted that the 2021 budget includes metered water rate increases of $2 per quarter and metered sewer rate increases of $5 per quarter. This increase is not related to the $4 million to $5 million capital project. 

A passed resolution made the Town Supervisor, Town Board, and Youth Director salary freezes announced at the November 9th meeting official. The money will revert to the general fund balance.  

Thanks to Assemblyman Billy Jones, Peru was awarded a $125,000 grant to extend its walking trail.  Expanding the Heyworth-Mason Trail to Lapham Mills Park was considered, but that route would require a costly bridge. After walking the route before last night’s meeting, the Board decided that developing a route from Maiden Lane to Sullivan Park would be the most cost-effective.  The new trail would include portions of an existing trail.  It would traverse a small stream, but constructing a small bridge should not be expensive.

A new Volvo Model L110H Wheel Loader equipped with a road-sweeping broom should arrive at the Highway Department in a few months. The Town is purchasing the machine from Vantage Equipment at the cost of $234,877. Mike Farrell said the Volvo would simplify and speed up the street cleanup operation. It was purchased through a national contract at 42% below the list price. It replaces a 1997 loaded that had a $17,000 trade-in value.  Its primary work will be in the sand-salt storage building. 

Farrell took responsibility for not painting the highways his department paved this summer. He said that given the uncertainly of state funding, he decided he had to curtail some spending. At one point, he thought about painting the center lines, but Clinton County had run out of paint. 

The Peru Ski Club will not function until at least January 24. Whiteface notified Youth Director John Flynn that it would decide by the 24th if there is a Club Ski season. Whiteface is open on a limited basis for other skiers. 

Flynn reported that the Northern Extreme Women’s Softball Team donated $1,523.21 to the Youth Commission. The team is disbanding and wanted to express its thanks to Peru for its outstanding athletic fields and programs. 

There will be a low-key Christmas Tree lighting at Little Ausable River Park Gazebo on December 4 at 7 p.m. Councilman Jim Douglass remarked that gathering a large crowd during a pandemic would not make sense. 

Alison Webbinaro was appointed to the Planning Board to complete the term of Nicholas Zagrodzki who resigned from the Board. Her term of office will end on December 31, 2020. The Board sent Zagrodzki a letter of thanks for his service. 

The Board approved the Highway Department’s hiring of Andrew McLaughlin as a Motor Equipment Operator at an $18.43 hourly wage rate effective November 30, 2020. McLaughlin has a Class A Driver’s License. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said it shouldn’t take long to train McLaughlin to operate the snowplows. 

One or two residents inquired why the Town removed the Hometown Hero Banners before Veterans Day. Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney said his personnel removed the banners because of the ongoing power pole replacement project on the Bear Swamp Road. It was also noted that the recent high winds would have damaged some banners.  

Note: Paragraph on pay freeze amended to specifically include Town Supervisor. He is not taking a raise.

12/11/20 Correction made to water & sewer rate increases. Original story attributed $5 to water and $2 to sewer.