The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan (Updated February 2, 2018 at 8:42 p.m.)

It appears the Peru Town Board will consist of four members, not the normal five during 2018. At the Board’s January 29 meeting Supervisor Brandy McDonald (a Democrat) moved to appoint former Councilman Donald McBrayer (a Republican) to fill the open board position until December 31, 2018. The position will appear on the November 2018 election ballot with the winner to take office on January 1, 2019. The position opened when Peru voters elected Councilman Brandy McDonald to be Town Supervisor last November.

Councilman Jim Douglass (a Democrat) seconded McDonald’s motion. When the vote was taken, Councilman Melvin Irwin (a Republican) and Councilman Jim Langley (a Republican) voted no, meaning McBrayer (a Republican) was not appointed to the position.

Irwin explained his vote saying, “At the last meeting I said a four-person board forced to get along is not a bad idea. I’m sticking to that.” Irwin added that he had spoken to the Association of Towns. They said that a replacement is usually named, but there’s no reason a four-person board wouldn’t work.

Councilman Jim Langley said, “I think I made it quite clear two weeks ago. I’m going to vote no.” Langley later told the Peru Gazette that he favors considering other past board members. He named Sue Polhemus, Roger Bonner, Kregg Bruno, Cortland Forrence and others as possible appointees.

Prior to the vote Donald McBrayer addressed the Board and the larger than usual group of residents in attendance. He said he did not run for reelection because he will ultimately be moving to Phoenix, Arizona where his wife Kara has found relief from her severe asthma. He explained that with the exception of a three week vacation in Phoenix he will be in Peru throughout 2018 and that he has the time to continue serving the town. He mentioned three primary reasons he would like to continue. The Main Street Project is ready for Phase #1. McBrayer has been the Board’s liaison for the project and he would like to see the plans implemented. He has also been very involved in the ongoing technology upgrades including online bill payment. He would like to assist with those upgrades. He also believes that the Board would function better with five members. McBrayer said, “With four members there’s the potential for a project to hang and ultimately a hung project is a failed project.” See discussion at the 3:20 to 14:00 minute mark of our video.

In other meeting actions the Board approved the Youth Commission’s recommendation that new officers be appointed. Board Member Jim Douglass pointed that outgoing Youth Commission Chairman Greg Mills should be thanked for his dedicated service to the town and the youth. He said, “Greg has put in a lot hours in that job.”

The new Youth Commission leaders are: Jennifer Madore – Co-Chair, Beth Lozier – Co-Chair, Carrie Smith – Vice-Chair and Carrie Beattie – Secretary.

At the recommendation of Code Enforcement Officer Robert Guynup the Board will be scheduling a public hearing on a proposal to amend the permit fees for residential and commercial property repairs or alterations. The current fee is $50 no matter what the size of the project is. Guynup mentioned that he recently issued a $50 permit for a $200,000 project where he will have to conduct at least six inspections. The new fees will be based on the dollar value of the project.

Currently the fees are as follows:

Residential/Demolition/Alteration/ Repairs: $50.00
Commercial Demolition/Alteration/ Repairs: $75.00

Guynup proposed the following fees:

REPAIR OR ALTERATION OF SINGLE AND TWO FAMILY STRUCTURES:
UP TO $10,000.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 50.00
$10,001.00 to $25,000.00. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     100.00
$25,001.00 and over. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    150.00

FEES FOR REPAIRS OR ALTERATIONS OF NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES:
Up to $10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
$10001.00 to $25.000.00. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   150.00
$25,001.00 to $50,000.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     200.00
$50,001.00 and over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    300.00

Demolition fees
Residential : $75.00
Commercial : $100.00

Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault informed the Board regarding recent emergency temporary repairs to a pipe at the Valcour sewage pumping station. A replacement pipe will have to be installed very soon. This summer a new pump and control panel will be installed. Tetrault said he budgeted $5,000 for AES to conduct preliminary engineering reseaarch on the long term needs of the Valcour sewage system.

The Board is poised to approve a policy for posting information on town signs. Non-profit organizations will be able to request posting. Priority will be given to organizations located in the Town of Peru. It will be on a first come first serve basis. Requests must be submitted not more than seven days prior to an event and the event will be posted for not more than ten days. Town Attorney Matt Favro will work with Pam Barber to draw up a written format to implement the policy.