The Peru Gazette

By John T Ryan 

Peru, NY – The Peru Town Board conducted a brief 35-minute meeting on Monday, August 25. Deputy Supervisor Jim Douglass chaired the meeting.

The board authorized spending just over $242,000 in the town’s Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) monies to pave the Allen Hill Road from the Rod and Gun Club to the River Road sharp corner, and 4,000 feet of River Road to Donahue Road.

After Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that NYSEG continues to study the Telegraph Road power pole relocation issue, the board expressed its frustration. They can’t comprehend why NYSEG is resisting temporarily relocating the poles, given that the road has been closed for months, and two involved property owners are open to temporary relocation. Town Attorney Matt Favro recommended that the board request that NYSEG send a representative to a town board meeting to explain the situation. The board concurred with Favro’s recommendation.  

Dog Control Officer T’Chaka Sikelianos commented on the dog tethering controversy in our region. He stated that he opposes laws such as the one recently approved by the Town of Plattsburgh, believing that existing laws addressing animal cruelty and negligence are more effective than tethering laws. He noted that the American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes arbitrary tethering bans. No board member voiced disagreement with Sikelianos’ comments. 

Greg Badger, the artist who created the Peru history artwork at Heyworth Mason Park, informed the board on August 24 that he had learned $5,000 in New York State grant money is available for similar community art projects; however, the town would have to apply by August 31. After a lengthy discussion, the board authorized Pam Barber to determine if she has time to complete the application process before the deadline. Greg Badger said he believes similar grants will reopen in the not-too-distant future.

In other actions, the board: 

Approved hiring Rosenbaum and Culling to appraise the property that the town purchased as a staging area for the wastewater treatment plant project. The Environmental Facilities Corporation will reimburse the town at the certified appraised property value. The town paid $65,000 for the property. Its assessed value is $48,000. The appraisal will cost $1,700.

Approved renewing its MOU with the Clinton County WIC Program.