The Peru Gazette

By: Donald McBrayer

A Public Hearing on the Community Development Block Grant was held on Monday, February 22.

During the Public Hearing, Lorette Oswald from Laberge Group, reiterated the general principals of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and how it could be applied to the South Acres Mobile Home Park for septic system replacements. Oswald reminded the Town Board that failure to repair the septic systems at South Acres could lead to closure of the park. There are 82 residences sharing 41 septic systems in South Acres at this time.

Public Comments included:

• Several concerns were expressed on the potential cost to the town. Oswald indicated the town would only cover the cost of Public Hearing notices, and have the responsibility of holding the paperwork involved in the grant process. Oswald also indicated Mr. Phung, owner of South Acres, would pay the 8% administrative fees so the entire amount of the grant could be applied to the septic system upgrade.
• Jean Schiffler reminded the Board that the total cost of the project could cost as much as $700,000, of which the grant would only cover $400,000. She asked how the balance of the cost would be covered. The Board indicated they would be certain Mr. Phung would have the funding in place for the balance of the cost before any grant money is rewarded.
• John Kanoza from the Health Department indicated that several septic systems in the park have already been addressed over the past three years, but sees a looming situation that will lead to the balance of the systems failing to meet Health Department standards within the next few years.
• Residences from South Acres expressed concern over the potential of losing their homes if the Town Board doesn’t apply for the grant.
  

The Town Board indicated the Laberge Group offered a quicker grant process than that being offered by the Friend of the North Country, which would require a town wide survey to determine if Peru would even qualify. A decision during the Regular Town Board Meeting later that evening determined The Laberge Group’s Community Development Block Grant would be the grant pursued for the South Acres issue.

The second required Public Hearing for the CDBG is scheduled for Monday, March 8 at 6:00 PM to precede the Regular Town Board Meeting.