Sewer upgrade costs balloon; tax impact on sewer district users to be determined
By John T. Ryan
Peru – Rifenburg Construction completed Phase #1 of Peru’s sewer system upgrade project a few weeks ago. Contract details made public at the Monday, October 24th town board meeting revealed that payments to Rifenburg Construction would total $4,113,154.14, $385,215 above the contract’s original $3,712,939 price. Supervisor Brandy McDonald cited pandemic-related supply chain issues, unforeseen sewer line obstructions, and other issues. The $4.1 million figure does not include AES Engineering’s design and engineering costs. Exactly when the project’s cost will impact sewer district taxpayers is being determined.
The board reluctantly accepted Deputy Highway Department Superintendent Lloyd Provost’s resignation and appointed a six-year employee Tyler Jarvis as his successor. Provost is the second highway department employee to resign in the past month. Clinton County, other towns, and private companies offer higher pay and good benefits.
In an October 26 follow-up interview, Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said he might hire retired employees whose only duty would be to operate snow plows and then go home. The department uses seven plows to maintain 100+ miles of town and county roads.
The board hopes to increase income limits for senior citizen tax exemptions at its November 7th meeting. Projected increases in social security and, in some cases, retirement benefits will result in some senior citizens losing tax exemption eligibility. The board scheduled a November 7, 5:45 pm. public hearing. The exemption would not go into effect until the tax year 2024.
Calkins Road residents will not see a reduction in their road’s 55 MPH speed limit. The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) did not approve the requested speed limit reduction. Earlier this year, DOT approved speed limit reductions for the Arnold, Renadette, and Signor Roads, plus Valley View Drive. Supervisor Brandy McDonald commented, “There’s no rhyme or rhythm to DOT’s decisions.”
Posted: October 27th, 2022 under General News.