The Peru Gazette

Edited 05/15/16 to include the need for a sewer treatment plant upgrade among the challenges facing the community. 

By John T. Ryan

Peru – At the Monday, May 9, 2016 Town Board meeting, Supervisor Peter Glushko announced that Courtney Tetrault has passed the required civil service tests officially qualifying him as Water and Sewer Department Superintendent. Tetrault had been serving as Interim Superintendent since last July when he succeeded longtime Superintendent Greg Timmons. Tetrault’s annual salary will be $54,500.

A 1992 graduate of Peru High School, Courtney Tetrault joined the Water and Sewer Department staff in about 1996. The Department’s seven full-time employees (including Courtney) and one part-time employee are responsible for providing water services to 800 users and a sewer services to 582 users along with maintaining all of Peru’s parks, town properties, the walking trail and several cemeteries.

Tetrault told The Peru Gazette his primary challenge would be coping with the community’s aging sewer infrastructure. Several major sewer lines, pump stations and the sewer treatment plant must be either replaced or upgraded in the very near future. While the water system has been improved, water lines on several streets still need to be replaced. Grants are being sought; however, Peru’s higher than average median income appears to be a grant roadblock.