The Peru Gazette

Highlights of the Peru Town Board’s July 11, 2022 meeting

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board accepted the resignations of longtime Peru Town Historians Ron and Carol Allen at its Monday, July 11, 2022, meeting. Deputy Supervisor Jim Douglass said Ron Allen was resigning for health reasons. Douglass said Allen has been passionate about his historical work, especially at the old Lyon Street School, The resignation is effective July 31, 2022. Ron and Carol held the position for nineteen years. 

The board appointed Helen Allen Nerska to the historian’s position. Ron Allen recommended Nerska, who currently serves as Director of the Clinton County Historical Association. Jim Douglass commented, “She brings a lot of knowledge with her and she’s very excited about the position.”  Nerska takes over on August 1, 2022. 

The town historian is a volunteer, unpaid position. The town includes about $6,000 to $7,000 in its annual budget for the historian’s programs and expenses. 

Other Meeting Business:

The board also accepted Cliff Christon’s resignation as Dog Control Officer, effective July 31, 2022. Christon notified the board several weeks ago that he would be leaving the position. T’Chaka Sikelianos, who was present at this meeting, expressed interest in the post. Douglass said he and other board members would meet with Sikelianos to outline the dog control officer’s duties. Douglass emphasized he didn’t want someone to take the job without knowing what the job entails. 

The board also passed a resolution authorizing the town to borrow up to $5,755,000 to finance the North Bend St. Maiden Lane, Little Ausable River Park sewer line upgrade project. On February 1, 2017, the board authorized borrowing up to $4,030,070 for the project. Pandemic-related cost increases and unanticipated construction issues reportedly resulted in the cost increase. The Peru Gazette is planning a more in-depth story on this project.