The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

The Monday, November 24^th Peru Town Board Agenda was brief, but the Board’s decisions will have both a short and long-term impact on Peru residents.

The Board approved a November 24-December 31 contract with North Country SPCA Inc. in Elizabethtown. Supervisor Peter Glushko indicated that he hopes a 2015 contract can be negotiated with Elmore SPCA. Dogs having to be confined will be transported to Elizabethtown until December 31.

With economic growth in mind, the Board extended the boundaries of Water and Sewer district #1 from the Dashnaw Road to I87 along both sides of the Bear Swamp Road. Engineering studies will be conducted to determine the cost of any eventual construction. The Bear Swamp Road is Peru’s most highly traveled highway. It is used by vehicles traveling to and from Peru and many other communities.

Town Park Ordinance #1 of 2014 was approved. It will regulate activity in Peru’s Town Parks and Walking Trail. Its many provisions prohibit alcoholic beverage use in/on all parks and trails. Dogs must be leashed 100% of the time. Poop must be scooped and motorized vehicles are not permitted on the Walking Trail. The Ordinance will take effect 10 days after its publication in the Press Republican. Town officials will schedule a meeting with Clinton County Sheriff David Favreau to request that his department enforce the ordinance. Click here to review Ordinance #1

Public Hearings on the water district expansion and the Park/Trail Ordinance were conducted prior to Monday’s meeting. No one other than this reporter testified. Very few if any residents attend either public hearings or town board meetings.

In other actions/news the Board:

• Delayed scheduling the public hearing for raising water–sewer rates. The rate increase is not related to the water district’s expansion.
• Appointed David Drollette as Dog Control Officer. Drollette has completed a 90-day probationary period. All the Board members have been effusive in their praise of Drollette’s performance to date. Drollette can be reached at 518-643-5076 (home) and 518-578-2217 (cell)
• Briefly discussed the December 5^th Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Little Ausable River Park. Caroling will begin at 6:45 p.m.
• Learned that two town employees have elected to drop out of the Town’s health insurance program. Both are eligible for a buy-out, but the Town will save money even when a newly eligible employee joins the program.
• Closed bank accounts established for the Fuller Road Bridge project and the Town Hall Entrance project. NYS monies received for or expended for a capital project are maintained in a special “H” account.
• Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that the Town’s new snowplow-equipped tandem truck should arrive by Christmas.