The Peru Gazette

Peru Girl Scouts request permission to plant flowering plants along the Walking Trail

Sullivan Park has new topsoil and is graded and seeded

Peru Town Board Meeting of April 25, 2022

Edited at 10:45 a.m. on 4/29/22 to include paragraphs on the Renadette Road speed limit reduction and Peru’s new stop sign.

Community News: Following an informative presentation by the Peru Girl Scouts, the town board enthusiastically agreed to the scouts’ request to plant one hundred flowering plants along the Peru Walking Trail. Several scouts explained the flowers’ environmental benefits to bees and water sources. 

Town Clerk Dianne Miller plans to host a Saturday dog licensing clinic as a convenience to local dog owners. New York State requires licensing of all dogs over four months of age. To obtain this license, owners must provide proof of current rabies vaccination and proof of the dog being spayed or neutered (only if applicable).

Counselor Melvin Irwin reported that Sullivan Park has a new, seeded topsoil surface. He thanked Adirondack Farms and  Forrence Orchard for their help in completing the project.

Code Enforcement News: At the board’s April 11 meeting, John Ryan (your Peru Gazette reporter) addressed zoning law enforcement, especially regarding derelict homes and when alleged violators fail to appear in Peru Town Court. At this meeting, Ryan asked Town Attorney Matt Favro Ryan if Town Court can’t take action on an alleged violation could the town board petition New York Supreme Court when a resident fails to comply with the zoning law. Favro said, “I don’t know the answer to that question, but if it were my court and a person doesn’t show up a couple of times, I would have the trial without the person being there.” Noting that zoning violations are civil, not criminal matters, Favro thought the town could take action stating, “You have to go through a slew of requirements, but generally, you can.” Ryan pointed out that Peru Zoning Law Section 705, paragraph 5, states the board can petition New York State Supreme Court. Favro noted that the COVID pandemic and bail reform have made persecutions more difficult, but there are still ways to enforce the law.

Peru has not been charging commercial solar farm developers a permit fee. However, Monday night, the board approved a $2,000 permit fee for all future commercial solar farms. Most communities charge developers a similar fee. It covers the cost of the code enforcement inspections that solar farms require. 

Highway Department News: Following up on Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell’s plans to reduce road salt usage, the board approved a Road Salt Reduction Memorandum of Understanding with Adk Action. Peru joined at least 27 other Adirondack cities and towns that committed to the MOU. Farrell said he plans to contact other larger communities, such as the Town and City of Plattsburgh, urging them to participate. Farrell believes the communities would learn from each other’s experiences, noting, “It will be trial and error, at first.” 

Highway Superintendent Farrell also told the board that New York State would be sending the town just over $350,000 in highway improvements (CHIPS) funding. However, he cautioned that his department would need the money because of increasing material costs. 

Only three of the town’s seven tandems were still outfitted with snowplows when the April 19 snowstorm dropped up to 16 inches of snow. So Farrell used the three tandems trucks, three water-sewer department pickups, and two highway department pickups to get the job done.  

The town’s street sweeping was on hold as of Monday’s meeting.  Michael Farrell said a machine part is on order; however, even the manufacturer doesn’t have the part. Note – Thursday, Farrell told the Gazette the sweeper is back in operation. Sweeping should resume on Monday, May 2nd.  

Water-Sewer Department News: Rifenburg Construction plans to complete phase #1 of the sewer line upgrade project this week. At its last meeting, the board accepted Luck Brothers’ bid of $1,000,505 for phase 2 or the Elm Street portion of the project.  

NYS recently notified Peru that it would receive a $1,897,033 grant for the planned wastewater plant upgrade project.

At 6:55 p.m., the board adjourned to an executive session to discuss pending litigation.