Town considering selling three properties including the Jenkins Street tennis court
By John T. Ryan
Peru – September 22, 2022. Town Board Meeting. At Councilman Rick Barber’s recommendation, the town is looking into selling three properties. They include the Jenkins Street tennis court, a 42-acre parcel adjacent to Brand Hollow Rd. that the town once used as a sludge lagoon, and a 6,200 sq. ft. property adjacent to School Street. All the properties are not being used, and no future use is contemplated. (On September 22nd, Councilman Barber told the Gazette that legal issues might not make selling the School Street property practical).
Finally, after numerous zoning violation notices and neighbors’ complaints, the Peru Town Board is determined to clean up the 5 School Street property and home owned by Dale Bradley. The Board approved Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup’s recommendation to initiate legal action to demolish the house, with all demolition costs included in Bradley’s property tax bill.
The Board set September 26 at 5:45 p.m. for a public hearing to adopt a local law to override the tax levy limit established in General Municipal Law 3-c. NYS imposed a 2% tax levy limit for 2023. Board members state they don’t plan to exceed 2%; however, the town faces higher costs for all its purchases, especially in the highway department.
The 2023 town budget adoption schedule is:
Monday, September 19 at 6 p.m. – Special Meeting to present tentative budget
Wednesday, September 28 at 6 p.m. – Water/Sewer/Valcour Workshop
Wednesday, October 5 at 6 p.m. General Budget Workshop
Wednesday, October 19 at 6 p.m. – Salaries workshop
Wednesday, October 26 – Budget Review Workshop
Wednesday, November 2 at 6 p.m. – Public Hearing on Preliminary Budget
Tuesday, November 15 at 5:30 p.m. Special Meeting to Adopt Final Budget
In other actions the Board:
Approved payment #3 of $215,121.75 to Luck Brothers for the Telegraph Road culvert replacement project.
Approved Highway Superintendent’s recommendation to seek bids for a salt brine maker with bid opening on September 29 at 10 a.m. at the town hall.
Accepted Cipriano Energy Group’s offer of $4,802.84 as the environmental benefit for its planned 1.7-megawatt solar farm at 3753 Route 22. Cipriano based its offer on the formula used for the recently approved Moffit property solar farm adjacent to Airborne Park.
Accepted a phone equipment and services provider proposal from Layer 8 and Gabbit to update the town office phone system. The phones haven’t been replaced for decades.
Approved James Falvo’s reappointment to the Board of Assessment Review.
Approved purchasing a new Kubota tractor model m6 111 and mower from Dragoon Farm Equipment in Mooers for $116,709.73. The Highway Department will sell two old tractors and use NYS CHIPS monies to finance the purchase. https://www.kubotausa.com/products/tractors/utility/m6
Scheduled a workshop to discuss the ongoing Elm Street sewer project for Monday, September 26, 2022, at 4:30 p.m.
Discussed a Maiden Lane stormwater drainage issue affecting three properties. A 30-foot easement may be required.
Adjourned at an executive session at 7:10 p.m. to discuss property and personal issues
Posted: September 22nd, 2022 under Peru News, Town Board News.