The Peru Gazette

March 2020 Peru Gazette Photo. Richard Williams is chairing the meeting.

Once again, the Peru Town is seeking Planning Board volunteers. The longtime chairman, Richard Williams, is giving up his position, and one vacant position has not been filled. The board can have up to seven members; It’s been getting by with six plus one alternate. 

Regarding serving on the board, Richard Williams explained, “Why not get involved in the town? You vote; you live here. It’s only one meeting a month and you learn about town government. I’ve enjoyed serving on the board, trying to help out on projects, getting them moving forward, and working with the surveyors who represent the applicants. It’s rewarding to see them come in with other projects.”  Williams doesn’t keep records, but he thinks he started serving on the board about 24 years ago and has been chairman for about fifteen years.  

Community service has been a hallmark of Richard William’s life. He taught at the Peru Elementary School for thirty-two years and has been a Peru Volunteer Fire Department member for fifty-three years. He is moving to South Carolina, where he’ll be near his son, Tyler, and not far from his son, Townsend, who lives in North Carolina as a member of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division. Tyler and Townsend were members of the Peru Fire Department, with Tyler serving as chief. 

People interested in serving on the planning board should call Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup at 518-643-2745, Extension 103.