The Peru Gazette

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday January 12th, 2026 at the

Peru Town Hall. Those present were Mr.Craig Randall, Supervisor; Mr. Kregg Bruno,

Councilman ; Mr. Eric Duquette, Councilman; Mr. Melvin Irwin, Councilman; Mr. Nick

Weaver, Councilman and Mrs. Christine Crawford, Town Clerk. Also present were Mr. Scott

Thurber, Town Justice; Mrs. Sara Mitchell, Town Justice; Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer

Superintendent ; Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent; Ms. Pamela Barber, Confidential

Secretary to the Board; Ms. Helen Nerska, Historian; Mrs. Kristen Marino, Recreation Director;

Mr. Tyler Jarvis, Deputy Highway Superintendent and Mr. T’chaka Sikelianos, Dog Control

Officer

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mr. Randall, with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion by Mr. Bruno seconded by Mr. Duquette to Accept Reports from all Departments

(Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk, Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning;

Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; and Banking Reports, JCEO.)

Ayes 5 Noes 0

Motion Carried

Motion by Mr. Bruno; seconded by Mr. Duquette to approve the minutes from the December

29th, 2025 Regular Meeting.

Ayes 5 Noes 0

Motion Carried

Community Input

Mr. John Ryan asks for an update on the hiring new Codes Office employees. Mr. Randall

explains that the process is moving along and the office will soon be staffed.

Mr. Ryan asks if he can get a copy of the resolutions before the meeting. The Board will check

on what can be shared.

Mr. Ryan also speaks about how the public should have more information about executive

sessions. Mr. Randall explains that the Board follows the rules concerning executive session.

Mr. Randall introduces Mr. Nick Weaver, Councilman and Mrs. Christine Crawford, Town

Clerk and welcomes them.

Discussion: Clinton County Health Department/Casella Presentation on Food Waste Collection

Cody Douglas from the Clinton County Health Department and Abby Bruzas from Casella

are here talking about the Food Waste Program. They explain how the collection bin works,

with smart phone access and assure the bin will contain any odors and keep animals out. 40% of

food is wasted. Climate is impacted by keeping these gases out of the landfill and prolonging the

life of the landfill itself. February 3rd is the grand opening of the Food Collection Site, which is

located at the Highway garage.

RESOLUTION NUMBER:26.01-12-11

A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE ENGINEERING VENTURES TO PREPARE

BID SPECIFICATIONS AND ADVERTISE FOR RECEIPTS OF BID ON

FEBRUARY 20, 2026 AT 11 AM FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS “LYONS

ROAD CULVERT PROJECT”.

MOTION: Mr. Weaver SECOND: Mr. Bruno

WHEREAS, to authorize Engineering Ventures to prepare bid specifications and advertise for

receipts of bid once complete, for the project known as “Lyons Rd. Culvert Project”.

WHEREAS, Bid specifications, timing, and authorization, will be in accordance with any or all

applicable funding agency requirements,

WHEREAS, bids shall be received until 11:am on February 20, 2026 at which time they will be

opened, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, said proposed authorization is approved as per requirements to be released.AND, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call: NO

Kregg Bruno x

Eric Duquette x

Mel Irwin x

YES Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Noes

Nick Weaver x

Craig Randall x

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 26.01-12-12

A RESOLUTION TO ALLOW A ONE-TIME PAYOUT OF UNUSED

BENEFIT TIME DUE TO INCREASED WORKLOAD INVOLVING

NORMAL DUTIES AND ADDITIONAL PROJECT WORK.

MOTION: Mr. Bruno SECOND: Mr. Duquette

WHEREAS, The Town of Peru Board has determined that policies and requirements for

employees is an essential tool that promotes consistent and fair practices in the workplace; and

WHEREAS, due to the extensive additional Wastewater, Water Treatment and Highway

projects workload, the Peru Town Board has decided to allow a one-time payout of unused

vacation benefit time minus the allowable roll over hours to Pamela Barber.

WHEREAS, this consists of: 2025 Unused Vacation Accrual: Less Allowable Carryover to 2026 Use or Lose Time at Year-end 2025 Rate of Pay $27.86/Hr. Loss amount 134

-40

94

$2,618.84

After reviewing other staff vacation accruals reveals that Pamela’s situation is unique as other

staff all appear to be within town policy for vacation time. Recognition and payout of her

vacation accrual requires approval of an exception to town policy.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board will allow the one-time payout

in the amount of $2,618.84 (Two Thousand Six Hundred Eighteen Dollars and Eighty Four

Cents)

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call: NO

Kregg Bruno x

Eric Duquette x

Mel Irwin x

Nick Weaver x

Craig Randall x

YES Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Noes

Motion by Mr.Duquette; seconded by Mr. Bruno to approve Murnane Building Contractors Pay

App.#6 for Peru WWTP Project.

Ayes 5 Noes 0

Motion Carried

Motion by Mr.Bruno; seconded by Mr. Duquette to approve John W. Danforth Company Pay

App.#6 for Peru WWTP Project.Ayes 5 Noes 0

Motion Carried

Motion by Mr.Duquette; seconded by Mr. Irwin to approve Triangle Electrical System Pay

App.#6 for Peru WWTP Project.

Ayes 5 Noes 0

Motion Carried

RESOLUTION NUMBER:26.01-12-13

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION OF KRISTA BULL FROM THE

TOWN OF PERU YOUTH COMMISSION EFFECTIVE JANUARY 12, 2026.

MOTION: Mr. Irwin SECOND: Mr. Bruno

WHEREAS, Krista Bull has recommended that Town Board accepts her resignation offered

January 7, 2026 and effective January 12, 2026.

THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, the Peru Town Board agrees with the recommendation to accept the resignation of

Krista Bull and thanks her for her past service to the Town of Peru. Her resignation will be

effective January 12, 2026.

AND, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call: NO

Kregg Bruno x

Eric Duquette x

Mel Irwin x

YES Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Noes

Nick Weaver x

Craig Randall x

RESOLUTION NUMBER:26.01-12-14

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PERU WPCP UPGRADES –

CHANGE DIRECTIVE GC-CD.05 BY THE GENERAL

CONTRACTOR MURNANE BLDG. CONTRACTORS AND

AUTHORIZING THE SUPERVISOR TO EXECUTE THE SAME.

MOTION: Mr. Duquette SECOND: Mr. Bruno

WHEREAS, The Town Board has the Work Change Directive GC-CD.05 for Project #5410 for

Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades contract dated January 6, 2026 and items before it.

WHEREAS, Contractor is directed to proceed promptly with the Work Change Directive GC-

CD.05: as per attached:

1. Add lintels for the split-face block above windows in the Solids Handling Building, per

Proposal Request GC-PR.09. ($364.04) Add2. Provide all concrete work associated with revised drawings associated with preliminary

treatment

channel wall locations at vortex structure, per Proposal Request GC-PR.10. ($1,383.22) Add

RESOLVED, said proposed Work Change Directive shall be amended with the cost of 1,747.26

to be charged against the General Allowance.

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call: YES NO

Kregg Bruno x

Eric Duquette x

Mel Irwin x

Nick Weaver x

Craig Randall x

Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Noes

Motion by Mr.Bruno; seconded by Mr. Weaver to approve C&S Telegraph Over Dry Mill

Brook Culvert Addendum #1 and Update Report.

Ayes 5 Noes 0

Motion Carried

PROJECT STATUS REPORT

PROJECT NAME:

C&S PROJECT NUMBER:

Replacement of Telegraph Road over

AG6.002.001

Dry Mill Brook

CLIENT NAME:

CLIENT CONTACT(S):

Town of Peru

Michael Farrell – Highway Superintendent

Reporting Period: December 31, 2025

Significant activities underway or completed:

3. Bidding

 Project Advertisement – December 2025

4. Coordinated with the Town

Next period’s expected activities:

 Bidding / Letting / Award

 Bid Opening – January 21, 2026 (10:00 am)

 Receive Bids and Award the Project – (January 2026 / February 2026)

 Coordinate with the Town

Other important project information:

 The project design is currently on schedule.

 The project design is currently within the budget.

Information/direction needed from client:

 Nothing at this time.

Design Project Schedule

Activity Expected /

Actual Finish Date

Project Start June 2024

Preliminary Design – Design Alternatives Report March 2025

ROW Acquisition (grading release approvals) August/September 2025

Final Design – Construction Documents November 2025Advertisement / Letting December 2025 / January 2026

Motion by Duquette; seconded by Mr. Bruno to approve the AES Northeast Peru Wastewater

Treatment Plant Project Update Report

Ayes 5 Noes 0

Motion Carried

Motion by Mr.Duquette; seconded by Mr. Irwin to approve the Barton & Loguidice Peru Water

Treatment Plant Project Update Report.

Ayes 5 Noes 0

Motion Carried

Other Business

Mr. Bruno gives a shout out to Mr. Mike Farrell for being on the cover of Superintendent’s

Profile.

Also a congratulations from the Town Board to all of the departments for taking care of business

and getting it done.

Mr. Sikelianos says all is well with his department

Mr. Jarvis commends the Highway Department for the great job they have done handling the

weather and He invites Mr. Weaver over to check out the Brine System.

Town Justices Thurber and Mitchell update the Board on changes in court office hours and

traffic court time. They thank the Board for the new court security system.

Mrs. Nerska has held the first history chat of 2026 with the Irwin brothers. There is a new

volunteer with the Historian’s office and they are all excited to start on America 250 plans.

Mrs. Marino announces that basketball is in full swing with games starting soon. Planning for

the Summer youth programs is underway and the ski program is going well.

Mr. Tetreault gives details about the Sewer Upgrade Project which is going well. They are

almost closed up and will begin working on the inside.

There were three water main breaks in one week which were all repaired quickly.

Mr. Tetreault has posted the open position for the Water Department.

Mr. Farrell thanks Ms. Barber for putting him in for the magazine cover.

Public Comment on Agenda Items

none

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 26.01-12-15

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE POST-AUDIT PAYMENT OF CERTAIN

CLAIMS, BILLS AND INVOICES OF THE TOWN.

MOTION: Mr. Duquette SECOND: Mr. Weaver

WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed and audited the following claims, bills and invoices

for services rendered and goods provided to the Town in December 2025.

From Town of Peru Vouchers for December 2025, #202501865 through and including

#202501920Abstract dated 1/9/26.

For the dollar amount totaling: $54,026.93 of that, $945.24 was wired, credit cards and prepaid;

and $53,081.69 remaining to be paid for December 2025.

WHEREAS, the Town Board finds said claims, bills, and invoices to be acceptable in form and

reasonable in amount.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that payment of the aforementioned claims, bills and invoices is approved, and the

Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to make such payment; and be it further,

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call: YES NO

Kregg Bruno x

Eric Duquette x

Mel Irwin x

Nick Weaver x

Craig Randall x

Carried: Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Noes

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 26.01-12-16

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE POST-AUDIT PAYMENT OF CERTAIN

CLAIMS, BILLS AND INVOICES OF THE TOWN.

MOTION: Mr. Bruno SECOND: Mr. Irwin

WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed and audited the following claims, bills and invoices

for services rendered and goods provided to the Town in January 2026.

From Town of Peru Vouchers for January 2026, #202600001 through and including #202600020

Abstract dated 1/9/26.

For the dollar amount totaling: $77,501.02 of that, $15,866.57 was wired, credit cards and

prepaid; and $61,634.45 remaining to be paid for January 2026.

WHEREAS, the Town Board finds said claims, bills, and invoices to be acceptable in form and

reasonable in amount.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that payment of the aforementioned claims, bills and invoices is approved, and the

Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to make such payment; and be it further,

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Roll Call: YES NO

Kregg Bruno x

Eric Duquette x

Mel Irwin x

Nick Weaver x

Craig Randall xCarried: Ayes 0 Noes

Motion by Mr.Bruno; seconded by Mr. Irwin to Adjourn to Executive Session.

Ayes 5 Noes 0

Motion Carried

Motion by Mr.Bruno; seconded by Mr. Irwin to Return from Executive Session

Ayes 5 Noes 0

Motion Carried

Motion by Mr.Duquette; seconded by Mr. Weaver to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:28p.m.

Ayes 5 Noes 0

Motion Carried