The Peru Gazette

Kristen Marino was introduced at an October 15, 2022, soccer game.

By John T Ryan

Kristen Marino is officially Peru’s Recreation Director.  Deputy Supervisor Douglass, who presided at the Monday, April 11, Town Board Meeting, announced the news saying, “That was the Board’s decision. Three citizen volunteers, Larry Ewald, Dave Gosnell, and Corinne Kerley, sat in on our interviews. We had good applicants.” Counselor Kregg Bruno motioned to approve the resolution and stated, “Kristen is the proper person to go with. We like to hire from within because it’s easier from many perspectives, and she’s done an outstanding job since taking over the position.” Counselor Melvin Irwin seconded the motion, and the Board unanimously approved Marino’s appointment at an annual salary of $18,000. (Salary corrrected 4/13/23 at 7:23 p.m. The first published $22,000 figure was incorrect) Marino has served as Interim Director since August 22, 2022. The Board also plans to hire an Assistant Recreation Director at an annual pay rate of $3,200. They will advertise the position.

Kristen Marino’s appointment will result in her husband, Brian Marino, resigning as Youth Commission Chairman. Councilman Rick Barber reminded the Board that according to the Youth Commission By-laws, members of the same family could not hold the two positions. Marino said he planned to resign. As one of his last acts, he informed the Board that the Youth Commission’s recreation assistants needed a pay raise. Marino believes that if their pay is divided by the hours worked, they make less than the minimum wage. Last summer, eighteen youths worked as recreation assistants, helping out the coaches at practice and during games. 

The Youth Commission’s Fun Run needs new leadership. Kristen Marino said Angel Hicks and Tracy Posada indicated that they don’t desire to lead the program again this year. 

Peru has one of the region’s most active youth programs offering t-ball, baseball, softball, tennis, summer soccer, arts and crafts, basketball, and volleyball, plus the very popular Fun Runs. Three hundred seventy-two youths participated in the last soccer program. 

The Parks Department is beginning to clean up town parks. Porto-Potties should be in place by May 1. 

The Board recently requested bids for furnishing and installing a dropped ceiling and air conditioning system in the town hall. Two air conditioning contractors submitted bids; however, no one submitted a bid for the dropped ceiling. The Board asked Water/Sewer/Parks Department Courtney Tetrault to review the air conditioning bids before they decide. Then they asked Town Clerk Dianne Miller to prepare and advertise bids for the dropped ceiling. 

The Board will meet with AES Engineering on June 13 at 4 p.m. to discuss major upcoming water-sewer projects. The meeting is expected to last about two hours and is open to the public. 

A Peru Central School club lacrosse team is playing at Lapham Mills Park. Town Attorney asked Marino to request that Peru Central state in writing that the town would not be liable for any injuries at the field. 

Town Attorney Matt Favro told the Board that John Helmer’s Davis Pond Road use issues are private; therefore, the town should not involve itself. Favro will also be drawing up an easement giving the town the right to maintain a soon-to-be-installed culvert on Locust Drive. The culvert will hopefully alleviate flooding issues during heavy rainfalls that two homeowners are experiencing. 

April 12, 2023 7:45 p.m. – Recreation Assistant salary corrected to read $3,200 not $3,500.