JCEO Outreach and Town of Peru Have Job Openings and Main Street Upgrade Project Is Being Reevaluated
Peru – Deputy Town Supervisor Jim Douglass chaired the Monday, March 11, 2019 Town Board meeting. Supervisor Brandy McDonald is recovering from shoulder surgery. He was one of the many local residents who sustained injuries after falling on the ice.
Main Street Project – It appears that the Main Street upgrade project may not happen. New York State extended the time the Town has to use its $150,000 grant to March 2020; however, it did not grant a waver to its Minority/Women’s Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) requirements. Furthermore, the only company that bid on the project is out of business.
Counselor Jim Douglass polled the Board and each counselor indicated he would not oppose using the grant money for sidewalk repair. Counselor Melvin Irwin asked how much it would cost to place a flashing speed limit sign on the north portion of Main Street. Highway Superintendent Mike Farrell said that the last price he saw for such a sign was about $20,000. Irwin did not continue the discussion.
The Main Street Committee will meet next Tuesday, March 19th at 7 p.m. to render its opinion.
JCEO Food Shelf Position Open – JCEO Peru Food Shelf Coordinator Betsy Ero has taken another JCEO position. Jim Douglass requested that an appreciation letter be sent to Betsy Ero.
The Food Shelf Coordinator position must be filled by a Peru resident. The hourly pay rate is $14.17. JCEO offers fringe benefits. If anyone has questions please call Sally Soucia at 518-561-6310 or 518-593-1659.
Water/Sewer Department is Hiring – Water/Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault requested that the Board authorize him to hire Daniel Gonyea to fill the open water/sewer maintenance worker position. The Board approved his request at a starting hourly pay of $17.05. Gonyea possesses a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Science and has committed to work for his NYS water/sewer operator’s license which will take about 12 months.
Longtime W/S Department employee Mike Hanlon will retire on March 30th. His position is being advertised. See the Town website for information. http://www.perutown.com
The Board declared the Water/Sewer Department’s F250 pickup with 105,000 miles as surplus property. It is being advertised for sale with the bid opening scheduled for March 25th at 10 a.m. There is a $5,000 minimum bid requirement. See the Town’s website for more details. http://www.perutown.com
The Water/Sewer Department is introducing a new computer billing system during its next billing cycle.
New York State is requiring that Peru disinfect its waste water not later than 2024. A plan must be in place by 2022.
The Department’s vacuum truck is back in operation after being downstate several months for repair. The total repair cost has not been tabulated.
Youth Commission – The registration for all Youth Commission summer and fall activities begins on March 25. Registration takes place from March 25th to April 30th. Register at townofperu.recdesk.com or call Youth Director John Flynn at 518-593-0935 or email recreationdirector@perutown.com
The possibility of the Youth Commission taking over the basketball program was mentioned as being on the next meeting’s agenda. Youth Commission meetings are held in the Town Hall on the 4th Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Dog Control – New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has informed Peru and several towns that they do not comply with the NYS requirement to have a facility in place to house dangerous dogs. The Board discussed the problem several weeks ago, but apparently a solution was never pursued. Councilman Melvin Irwin commented, “I thought we were signing a contract with Dr. Palmer.” A Malone facility accepts dangerous dogs. Dr. Palmer is another possibility. Peru has only taken two dangerous dogs into custody in the past five years.
Editor’s Note: The JCEO Coordinator pay rate was corrected to read $14.17 per hour at 7:30 p.m. on March 14, 2019.
Posted: March 14th, 2019 under Peru News, Town Board News.