The Peru Gazette

By John T Ryan 

Peru, NY – The Peru Town Board hired Bob Guynup as the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) just over nine years ago on May 23, 2016. At its meeting on Monday, August 11, Supervisor Craig Randall announced that Guynup is retiring, effective September 30. With leave taken into account, his last work day is September 22. The town board accepted Guynup’s resignation. Supervisor Craig Randall commented, “I express the board’s appreciation. You did the job to the best of your ability.” Following an Executive Session, the board voted to advertise the CEO position. 

Bob Guynup reported that the seven-member board may soon be short two members.  On January 1, newly appointed Planning Board Chairman Justin Wilson will depart for a one-year National Guard assignment. That news, combined with the resignation of longtime board chairman Richard Williams, will result in the board being two members short. Other current members include Mark Hamilton, Peter Stone, Jerry McGovern, Allison Webbinaro, and alternate Mark Robinson. Ideally, the board should have seven regular members and two alternates.

Ironically, at the August 11 meeting, former Mariner Bar and Grill operator Brandon L. Way presented a Notice of Claim that he said he would be filing within the next 30 days related to the Clinton County Supreme Court case, Lake Champlain Transportation, DBA Lake Industries, v. B.L. Way, LLC, DBA The Mariner Bar and Grill. Bob Guynup testified in that proceeding. Brandon Way is seeking $7.5 million in damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Fourteenth Amendment, alleging violations of equal protection under the law and due process of the law.

AES Northeast engineers Nathan Bull and Michael Metcalf reported that the wastewater treatment upgrade project is progressing according to schedule. Metcalf commented, “We have about sixty cubic yards of material that have to come out of there and thirty cubic yards going in. There’s been a steady flow of trucks.”  To date, most work has been taking place in the lagoon, bringing the subgrade up to grade. Metcalf said the contractor should pour the footings for the preliminary treatment administration building and water-sewer garage during the week of August 18.

The board authorized payment of four invoices related to the WWTP project. Payment #1 to Murnane Building Contractors in the amount $184,129; Payment #2 to John W. Danforth Co. for $14,250; Payment #1 to K & L Plumbing and Heating for $20,496.25; and Payment #3 to Triangle Electrical Systems for $14,129.76. 

Supervisor Randall reported that there was no apparent progress in resolving the issue with the Telegraph Road closure. NYSEG must relocate two power poles to make room for a construction crane; however, it hasn’t reached an agreement with either of the two nearby property owners. 

The board agreed with Michael Farrell’s recommendation that the Allen Hill Road and River Road should be next on the town’s 2025 paving schedule. 

The 2026 town budget development process is in place. Following past practice, the board scheduled a public hearing on a Local Law to exceed the NYS-imposed 2% tax cap, if necessary. Supervisor Randall commented, “We’ll try not to exceed the cap as we always do, but with increasing costs, it’s becoming more and more difficult.” The board scheduled the tax cap public hearing for September 8 at 5:45 p.m. 

Budget Workshop and Meeting Schedule – (All are open to the public)

• Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Highway Culvert Workshop for Bonding 
• Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 5:30 p.m.   Highway Budget Workshop (Downstairs)
• Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 5:30 p.m.   Water/Sewer/Valcour Workshop 
• Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 5:30 p.m.   Salaries/General Workshop
• Thursday, October 2, 2025, 5:30 p.m.   Special Meeting to Present Tentative Budget 
• Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 5:30 p.m.   Budget Review Workshop (Downstairs)
• Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 5:30 p.m.   Budget Review Workshop (if needed)
• Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 5:30 p.m.   Public Hearing on Preliminary Budget
• Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 5:30 p.m.      Special Meeting to Adopt Final Budget