The Peru Gazette

• Highway Department: Town Hires Labor Relations Attorney
• Providing information requested by the Peru Gazette 
• Intersection Safety: Issues Still Under Review
• Bear Swamp Road: Sidewalk Plan Under Development
• Sand-Salt Shed: Repair Alternatives Being Explored
• Town Hall: Basement Cleanup Initiated

By John T. Ryan

In addition to the proposed changes in Peru’s Dog Law other business was conducted at the Peru Town Board’s Monday, February 22, 2016 meeting.

In summary:

The Public Employees Review Board (PERB) in Albany is processing the Peru Town Highway employees’ application to be represented by the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). At Monday’s meeting the Board approved hiring the law firm of Stafford Owens Pillar Murnane & Trombley, PLLC to represent the town in its labor relations matters. Jacqueline Kelleher, Esq. will be the lead attorney.

In response to a question from the Peru Gazette, Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell stated that improvements to traffic safety improvements at the Brand Hollow Road-Military Turnpike intersection are still being researched. The Highway Department has cut intruding brush and installed stop bars and new stop signs. The State Police and Sheriff’s Department have been asked to increase surveillance. Another serious collision occurred at the intersection in late January. Several Board members have stated cost is not a consideration when it comes to saving a life. The matter has under consideration for at least 12 months.

Responding to a Peru Gazette request Supervisor Peter Glushko asked Zoning-Planning Office Liaison Donald McBrayer to acquire copies of the Zoning-Planning Office’s 2015 and 2014 reports. On January 15^th, the Peru Gazette asked the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) for planning-zoning data for 2014 and 2015. No CEO response to emails or phone calls was received. Subsequent to Monday’s meeting the 2015 Zoning-Planning report was furnished. It did not include all the information requested. Information Requested

A master plan for future sidewalk construction on the Bear Swamp Road is being developed. The need to devise a plan became apparent when Dunkin’ Donuts presented its plan to construct a freestanding restaurant adjacent to Langley Insurance. Peru’s new zoning law requires that any new business plan include a sidewalk. If Dunkin’ Donuts constructed a sidewalk it might be a sidewalk to nowhere because the Town has not decided if sidewalks will be required on one or both sides of the road. Counselor Donald McBrayer reported that the Town’s contract engineer Peter Gibbs has developed a few concepts. River Street Planning and Development, the firm developing Peru’s Man Street improvement plan, was also consulted.

Alternatives for repair of the Highway Department’s sand-salt storage building are being explored. Counselor Jim Langley reported that Jeffords Steel is estimating the cost of replacing corroded sections of the structure rather than replacing the entire structure. A new fabric top/roof will have to be purchased.

Counselor Donald McBrayer initiated a Town Hall basement cleanup project. Obsolete computers will be removed and McBrayer will work with Town Clerk Kathleen Flynn to dispose of outdated town records.