The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board had some good news at its Monday, September 9, 2013 meeting. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell, who often has to deliver bad news about expensive equipment/road repairs, informed the Board that repairs to the highway department’s garage roof would be significantly reduced. The cost could be as low as $100,000, not the previously estimated $300,000. Town engineer Peter Gibbs initially stated that NYS Building Codes required that steel beams would have to be incorporated into the roof.  When Gibbs further researched the codes he found that steel beams are only required when an existing building is being enlarged by more than 10%. Since this is not happening, wood beams can be used thereby significantly reducing the cost. Counselor Kregg Bruno, who is a building contractor by profession, had often questioned the use of steel beams. He believed that wood beams would be more than sufficient.

In other actions the Board:

• Voted to hire Kayla Martin as Code Enforcement Office Secretary. She will start at $10.79 an hour and work a minimum of 30 hours weekly.  There will be a 6-month probationary period.
• Reappointed Jane Brelia to a 5-year term on the Board of Assessment Review.
• Held off signing a contract for work at the Laphams Mills Recreation Park. The contractor did not include required workman’s compensation and liability insurance provisions in the draft contract.
• Decided to draw up specifications for the new town hall entrance stairs. Contractors have presented proposals for both small and significant changes. The Board must decide what it wants to do. Any work costing over $30,000 will go out to bid.

The meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM.