Saving money primary topic at January 9 Town Board Meeting
By John T. Ryan
Peru – The Peru Town Board held a regular meeting on Monday, January 9, 2023, immediately following its annual organizational meeting. Supervisor Brandy McDonald and Councilman Melvin Irwin were excused.
Highway Superintendent Farrell projects $73,000 in salt savings this year thanks to his department’s salt reduction program. He said a truck uses only 106 pounds of salt per road mile utilizing a salt slurry vs. a much higher cost for a salt-sand mixture. Farrell also said not using sand should save approximately $560 in sand costs each time the town’s seven trucks cover 100+ miles. Farrell believes more local communities will adopt the new system once they see Peru’s success.
Town Clerk/Tax Collector Dianne Miller reported that the town is saving approximately $1,000 annually in postage costs by utilizing a postage meter vs. postage stamps.
The board denied Luck Brothers’ request for a $6,936.02 payment related to the recently completed Elm Street Sewer upgrade project. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said it was his understanding that Luck Brothers incurred higher than expected asphalt costs; however, Farrell noted that contractors usually include potential material cost increases when bidding on a project. All the board members felt that Luck Brother bid a specific amount and that the town should pay that amount and no more. Therefore, the board took no action on the request.
The board reappointed board chairpersons and vice-chairpersons:
Planning Board – Chairman Richard Williams, Vice-Chairman – Ryan Davies
Zoning Board – Chairman James Falvo, Vice-Chairman Sean Lukas
Following a brief executive session, the board voted to set the Recreation Director’s salary at $18,000.
The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Posted: January 16th, 2023 under Highway Dept. News, Town Board News.