Main Street Enhancement is a Go
By John T. Ryan
- Main Street Enhancement Project to Move Forward
- $3.6 Million Loan Application to Be Filed for Sewer System Upgrade
- Cameras to be Installed at Laphams Mills Park
- 25 Ton Equipment Trailer Purchase Approved
- Motor Equipment Operator Hired
- Hydrogeologic Work to Begin
Peru’s Main Street Enhancement project has been reduced in scope but it is going to take place. At its Monday, August 13, 2018 meeting the Peru Town Board accepted a $139,000 bid to the only bidder, Northern Stone and Dirt Inc.. The street changes will take place from the Maiden Lane – Route 22 intersection to just beyond the Town Hall rather than to the Dollar Store as originally planned. Bids submitted during two previous bidding opportunities far exceeded the remaining $152,000 in NYS grant monies. The Board decided to proceed, but only as far as the grant monies permitted. Given the upcoming sewer project, the Board is very reluctant to spend any more money than is absolutely necessary to maintain essential services.
Major work will take place following the September 15-16 Applefest to be completed no later than November 15th. Minor work will take place prior to the Applefest. Supervisor Brandy McDonald made a special point to thank the Town’s grant coordinator Adele Douglas saying, “Adele, thank you for all your hard work.” Douglas, former Town Councilman Donald McBrayer, and a Main Street Committee worked on the project for over four years. Click here to see the project as originally envisioned.
A major step toward upgrading Peru’s sewer system was taken when the board voted to apply for a USDA Rural Development Administration loan in the amount of $3,612,000 over 38-years at a 3.5% interest rate. USDA interest rates are considerably less than the rates offered by local financial institutions. Planning is being conducted at this time with actual work to be done in 2020.
Security cameras will soon be installed at Laphams Mills Park. The Board authorized expenditure of up to $999 from the Youth Commission’s budget. A few weeks ago vandals removed equipment from a baseball dugout. More recently, one of the buildings was defaced with sun tan lotion.
The Highway Department was authorized to purchase a new 25-ton heavy equipment trailer at a cost of $31,394. Rampart Trailers LLC of North Carolina is the supplier. The Town will utilize NYS Consolidated Local Streets and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) monies to pay for the trailer.
The Board authorized hiring A. J. Rivera as a Highway Department Motor Equipment Operator at an hourly rate of $14.78, plus benefits.
The expenditure of $3,250 was approved for hydrogeological work to determine the feasibility of drilling a well to supplement the current reservoir.
Posted: August 20th, 2018 under Peru/Regional History, Town Board News.