The Peru Gazette

By John T Ryan 

Several important issues came to the floor at the Monday, April 28, Peru Town Board Meeting, the most important being the board authorizing Supervisor Craig Randall to sign and execute contracts with the wastewater treatment plant’s general, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors. Randall’s said contractors should begin in May, long before the July 1 deadline. Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault said truck travel will impact residents, especially North Bend Street residents. Tetrault plans to hand-deliver notices to the street’s residents. 

Mark DeCrescente, PE of Engineering Ventures,  updated the board on the Lyons Road, Fuller Road, and Westcott Road culvert replacement projects. DEC and Army Corps approvals should come soon, with construction taking place this summer. In his opinion, the Lyons Road culvert would cost the town $670,000, and the Fuller Road would cost $770,000. The Westcott Road project is much more complex because it involves constructing a temporary road. DeCrescente was not ready to give his opinion on the cost of that project, which will probably not begin until 2026.

Recreation Director Kristen Marino said she has openings for a Recreation Director Assistant, a Grasshopper boys baseball coach, 2 T-Ball coaches, and a summer tennis/pickleball instructor. She reported that many youths signed up for boys’ and girls’ T-ball and Grasshopper teams; however, only four signed up for pony baseball, which was insufficient to conduct a program.

The board tabled a resolution to sign on as an anchor user of Hamilsun Solar Farm pending contract review by the board and town attorney. Supervisor Randall said the town will save a modest amount on utility expenses (approximately $7,000 annually) and will be supporting an environmentally friendly project undertaken by Peru residents. 

Town Historian Helen Nerska will conduct a Peru Walking Tour on Saturday, May 31. Nerska will also have a summer-long Peru history exhibit at the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum.  She noted that four “History Chats“ are on the town website. The chats relive the history of Peru through memories shared by Peru residents. The Peru Gazette recorded the conversations. 

In other actions, the board: 

Authorized purchasing a $4,500 welder for the Highway Department from Hahn Welding Supply. Four companies submitted bids. 

Agreed to hire Luke Frechette as a Parks department seasonal worker. Frechette has been a seasonal worker for about ten years and will be paid $22.16 per hour with no benefits.

Authorized renting fifteen town park porta-potties from Drapeau Sanitation, at $625 monthly. Drapeau’s price was the lowest of the four bidders.

Reported that August 15 is still the bid advertising date for the Telegraph Road culvert project.