The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday April 26, 2021, at the Peru Town Hall. Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald, Supervisor; Mr. Richard Barber, Councilman; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman; Mr. James Douglass, Councilman; Mr. Mel Irwin, Councilman and Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk. Also present were Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent; Mr. Robert Guynup, Zoning Officer, Ms. Pamela Barber, Confidential Secretary to the Board; Mr. Dave Drollette, Dog Control Officer and Mr. Matt Favro, Town Attorney.
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM by Mr. McDonald, with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Mr. Bruno; seconded by Mr. Irwin to accept the minutes from the April 12, 2021 Regular Meeting.
Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried
Community Input NONE
Acceptance of the Town of Peru Handbook
Mr. Tetrault recommended having Clinton County Central Store print them as Ms. Barber stated our copier sometimes has issues printing in quantity.
A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE TOWN OF PERU EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK UPDATED APRIL 26, 2021
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 21.04.26-1
MOTION: Mr. Bruno SECOND: Mr. Barber
WHEREAS, The Town of Peru has determined that a uniform set of personnel rules, policies and requirements for employees and officers is an essential communication tool that promotes consistent and fair practices in the work place; and
WHEREAS, the Peru Town Board has conducted an extensive review of the current Employee Benefit Statement to update this document to ensure compliance with employment regulations, improve employee communications and create consistency in policy application; now therefore,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board adopts the Town of Peru Employee Handbook as fully updated and revised on April 26, 2021. AND,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.
Roll Call:
Richard Barber Jr.
Kregg Bruno James Douglass Melvin Irwin
Brandy McDonald Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays
Purchase of Small Excavator to be Shared by Highway Dept. and Water/Sewer Dept.
Mr. Barber spoke with Mr. Tetrault and Mr. Frechette about the need for a smaller excavator. The Highway Department’s 312 excavator is not always available for the Water Department to use. Discussion was for the two departments sharing the cost. Mr. Farrell had intentions to buy a new truck with any excess funds in highway budget. Mr. Bruno mentioned a lease. Mr. McDonald asked for Mr. Tetrault and Mr. Farrell to research pricing, availability and funding.
Town Hall Door Locks
Mr. McDonald asked for quotes as the locks are needed for an upgrade. Mr. Tetrault recommended Calongne Security as they are the company that installed the security system at the Fire Department.
Security Cameras Upgrade
Denise Ryder/Brian Brayton, representatives from Layer Eight will be submitting a quote for the next Town Meeting May 10, 2021.
Mr. Tetrault stated having the footage on the cloud will give clearer video.
T-Mobile/Sprint Upgrade
$ 2200.00 will be the new contract amount offered to T-Mobile representative after Mr. Favro reviewed all paperwork. Mr. Guynup stated handrails certifications are required and will be going to the Zoning Board for approval.
Parks New Hire Tabled
Sewer Project Update
The next construction meeting is scheduled for April 28, 2021 at 10 AM. No work permit from D.O.T has been received.
Austin from Rifenburg has spoken with all business owners.
Other Business
Mr. Barber asked for a thank you note to be sent to K & S Body Works as they donated all the material to clean the benches after they had been vandalized. Mr. Barber said the material removed the paint.
Mrs. Miller stated she is attending a Virtual Conference with the Town Clerk Association.
Mr. Bruno was hoping for a Youth Commission by-law update but Mr. Flynn was unable to attend due to a coaches meeting.
Youth Commission meeting set for May 27, 2021.
Mr. Guynup would like to once again go forward for zoning updates as the pandemic slowed the process. Sign requirements are becoming a high topic of conversation as others zoning offices can issue permits but due to our by-laws that is not an option.
Mr. Farrell stated street sweeping was all done. The new loader and sweeper did a great job. The highway crew is getting ready for summer work. Asphalt availability may become a challenge this year as the Plattsburgh Int’l Airport resurfacing will be using a substantial amount for the runway. Mr. Farrell stated he has approximately $324,000.00 in CHIPS and in the budget for our town road upgrades. Mr. McDonald asked for Brand Hollow Road to be first to be paved as he has received many phone calls on the condition of the road and line striping to be completed also. 20% overage in salt purchasing was a gamble and worked to the Highway Department’s advantage.
Mr. Guynup and Mr. Tetrault said the new sign made by Artisan Sign and Design for Sullivan Park is gorgeous.
Roots once again made havoc on a sewer line behind Rosie Simpsons causing a repair according to Mr. Tetrault.
Ms. Barber received an email whether bird feeders were allowed on the walking trail. Mr. Guynup replied yes.
Ms. Barber is scheduling the summer concerts. Peru Community Church Fellowship Center is currently not an option in case of to rain. An alternate site at Heyworth Mason Park with a tent is being looked into as well electricity options due to the ongoing sewer construction project.
Public Comments on Agenda Items Only
NONE
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 21.04.26-2
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE POST-AUDIT PAYMENT OF CERTAIN CLAIMS, BILLS AND INVOICES OF THE TOWN
MOTION: Mr. Douglass SECOND: Mr. Bruno
WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed and audited the following claims, bills and invoices
for services rendered and goods provided to the Town in April 2021:
From Town of Peru Vouchers in April 2021; #202100409 through and including #202100473 Abstract dated 4/26/2021
For the dollar amount totaling: $248,650.33; of that, $13,886.15 was wired, credit cards and prepaid; and $234,764.18 is remaining to be paid and
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.
YES NO Richard Barber, Jr. x
Kregg Bruno x Mel Irwin x James Douglass x
Brandy McDonald x Carried: 5 Ayes 0 Nays
Motion by Mr. Barber; Seconded by Mr. Douglass to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:08 PM. Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried
_________________________Supervisor _________________________Councilman _________________________Councilman _________________________Councilman _________________________Councilman
The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday, April 12, 2021, at the Peru Town Hall. Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald Supervisor; Mr. Ricky Barber, Councilman; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman; Mr. James Douglass, Councilman; Mr. Mel Irwin, Councilman; Mrs. Judy Akey, Deputy Town Clerk. Also present were Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent; Mr. Bob Guynup, Zoning Officer; Ms. Pamela Barber, Confidential Secretary to the Board; Mr. Dave Drollette, Dog Control officer; Mr. Jim Kirby, Judge; John Flynn, Youth Director and Mr. Matt Favro, Town Attorney.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00PM by Mr. McDonald, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion by Mr. Barber; seconded by Mr. Douglass, approving the minutes from the March 22,
2021 regular meeting. Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried
Motion by Mr. Irwin; seconded by Mr. Bruno, approving the reports from the following departments into the official record of tonight’s meeting. (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; JCEO and Banking Reports). Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried
Community Input and Questions
John Ryan asked if notification for the work on the Bear Swamp Rd. that was done by NYSEG, was given to the Town. Matt Favro said that they do not need to give notification to the towns, only if there would be a disruption in services. John said that he wanted it on record that he sent a letter to the legislators about the disruption. He stated regarding the broadband that is being installed, that two Verizon trucks with two men in them each were seen several times doing nothing for hours. He also asked about when we would know what was done, when it will be done and what areas the Broadband covers.
According to the information that was available to the Town, there was going to be town wide coverage. The Town will be looking into these services.
Mr. Ryan also inquired about where the Town stood on the Main St. Beautification Grant.
All work that can be done is done. The grant provider has not reimbursed the Town for all the work that the Highway Department had done with paving down to the Heyworth Mason Park.
Scott Coleman was present and had asked Mr. McDonald earlier if a community road side cleanup day could be organized, possibly to coincide with Earth Day. People could volunteer to help, meet at a general location, wear orange safety vest and use garbage bags.
Ms. Barber asked if the Town would need liability insurance. Matt Favro said not necessarily, since they were volunteering. The Board thought that it was a good idea. Mr. McDonald said he would volunteer to help as long as Scott Coleman organized it. The Town could provide the trash bags.
Bob Guynup mentioned that he would like to help and that sometimes the DOT would provide bags for the trash pickup.
RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Hiring of New Part-time Court Clerk
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 21.04.12-1
AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ANDREW BIZGA AS A PART TIME COURT CLERK.
Motion by: Mr. Bruno Second by: Mr. Barber
WHEREAS, the Town Board has agreed that hiring a new part-time court clerk is necessary for the effective operation of the Peru Town Court following the recommendations of Town Justices Lawrence Cabana and Jim Kirby, and
BE IT
RESOLVED, that Andrew Bizga, be hired as a part time Court Clerk for the Town of Peru
Court, at an hourly rate of pay to be $13.72, with a start date of March 26, 2021.
