The Peru Gazette

By Adele Douglas

On Thursday August 8th an illegal party at Sullivan Park attended by over 200 teens from Peru and nearby towns was broken up by New York State Police by mid-night. Addressing the situation at the Monday, August 12th Town Board meeting Town Supervisor Peter Glushko and Deputy Supervisor Brandy McDonald said they had kept an eye on the situation and said that except for a knocked-over stop sign, the party-goers caused little damage. Glushko said that if the Town Board hears about a similar gathering they’ll make sure to ask the Troopers to clear it out earlier before anyone has a chance to start drinking. Board members do not want anyone driving home under the influence.  Town parks are to be used only from dawn to dusk.

Community input and an meeting agenda item focused on the issue of Chris Santry renting his home on Coastland   Drive during the summer for a month at a time and how exactly that month should be defined.  Neighbors, represented at the meeting by Heidi Danis, are concerned about the negative impact of the renters and want to make sure that the Town’s zoning regulations are being followed.

Other meeting items included:

• Water and Sewer Superintendent Greg Timmons reported  that the Town’s Water Quality Improvement Project is going well.  Three filters are on-line, the new mixer will be installed by September and he hopes that the Town can clean the reservoir before the pine needles start to fall as pine needles can clog the filters.  Timmons also mentioned that the last time the water test was conducted was during the flooding period; therefore, the Clinton County Department will be issuing a violation notice.
• Highway Superintendent Mike Farrell is concerned about the damage being done to town roads by certain private contractors. Most recently a plumbing contractor working on Oakdale   Drive didn’t use the street pads on his back-hoe resulting in deep gouges in the pavement. The recently paved road will have to be milled and sealed.  Farrell gave a sample of a permit that Plattsburgh requires to Town Attorney Don Biggs to review for possible use in Peru.
• NYMIR (New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal) visited and provided the Town with a list of a few items on Town property that should be corrected in the next 6 months for insurance purposes.
• The Town has applied for a wastewater planning grant to help the Town analyze the entire system and prioritize where future grant funding for improvements should go.  If successful it will require a 20% or $7,500 match.
• The 2012 Town of Peru Annual Financial Report has been completed and submitted to the State Comptroller’s Office.
• Interviews are being conducted to fill the civil service position of Code Enforcement/Zoning Secretary vacated last month by Donna Quero.
• The Highway Garage roof issue is a step closer to being resolved. The Town’s engineer, Peter Gibbs, now believes that wooden supports can be used instead of the more expensive steel beams and a rubber roof is being considered.
• A company known as Contara would like to  lease space for a 2 foot  dish on the water tower. If Contara can start soon they are willing to give the Town a “signing bonus” of over $2,000.  The Town Board has asked Don Biggs to review the contract and meet again soon on this issue.
• Board Members have received a two quotes from contractors for fixing the Town Hall steps.  Since they offer different solutions they are difficult to compare.  Greg Timmons suggested having the Town engineer provide a design for contractors to bid on.

Meeting adjourned at 9pm.