The Peru Gazette

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday, February 22, 2021 at the Peru Town Hall. Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald, Supervisor; Mr. James Douglass, Councilman; Mr. Richard Barber Jr., Councilman; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman; Mr. Mel Irwin, Councilman; Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk; Mr. Matt Favro, Town Attorney; Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent; Ms. Pamela Barber, Secretary to the Board. And Mr. Dave Drollette, Dog Control Officer. Via zoom Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent and Mr. John Flynn, Recreation Director.

The meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM by Mr. McDonald with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion by Mr. Barber; second by Mr. Irwin to approve the minutes from the February 8, 2021 meeting.
Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried

Community Input and Questions

None

Parsons Road Abandonment

Mr. Farrell stated at the start of Telegraph Road to the turnaround is 2795’ on Parsons Road. The town does not maintain after the turnaround and hasn’t for many years. Mr. Favro recommended that Sullivan Orchards’ attorney have a land survey done to get the correct meets and bounds to finalize paper work for abandonment.

Walking Trail Extension

Easements will be required from the property owners. Town will provide insurance coverage for the use of their property. Adele Douglass will contact Mr. Swain regarding the proposed/requested path of the trail. She will follow up with the Town attorney after for the writing of the easements.

Resolution No. 21.02.22-1

A RESOLUTION TO CORRECT A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR IN 2021 TOWN OF PERU AND PERU FIRE DISTRICT’S BUDGET.

Motion By: Mr. Barber Second By: Mr. Douglass

WHEREAS, In 2020 it appears the Town of Peru levied and raised an additional $10,000 in tax levy due to a typographical error that went unnoticed until the 2020 Real Property taxes were paid. When the issue was discovered our County Attorney advised them to correct that error on the 2021 budget for the Peru Fire District. However, the Town of Peru included a lesser amount of the actual amount of taxes to be raised.

WHEREAS, on the 2021 budget the Fire District references a $10,000 “refund” to the County however the “refund” should have been handled as a reduction in the Fire District tax rate; but instead of deducting the $10,000 revenue from the 2021 budget they actually added that to the total taxes to be levied.

WHEREAS, on the 2022 budget, the Peru Fire District will need to reduce their levy in the amount of $9,443 which is difference between the $10,000 listed incorrect as expenditure & the error carried over onto the Town of Peru budget amount of $663,773 which should have been $674,330 a difference of $557.00.

WHEREAS, Whereas the Town of Peru must pay the Peru Fire District the amount of $557.00 to make the Peru Fire District “whole” and will make up the difference on the 2022 budget.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, This Resolution shall take effect immediately. Roll Call: YES NO

Richard Barber Jr. x Kregg Bruno x James Douglass x Mel Irwin x

Brandy McDonald x

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday February 8, 2021, at the Peru Town Hall. Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald Supervisor; Mr. James Douglass, Councilman; Mr. Melvin Irwin, Councilman; Mr. Richard Barber; Councilman; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman and Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk. Also present were Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent and Ms. Pamela Barber, Confidential Secretary to the Board. Present via zoom Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent; Mr. Bob Guynup, Zoning Officer, Mr. Matthew Favro, Town Attorney, Mr. Dave Drollette, Dog Control officer and Mr. John Flynn, Recreation Director.

The meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM by Mr. McDonald, with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion by Mr. Bruno , seconded by Mr. Irwin to include the reports from the following departments into the meeting record: Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Dog Control; Code/Zoning Report; Supervisor’s Report; Court Reports; Web Site Report; Banking Report and Enterprise Report, Town Clerk and Youth reports.

Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried

Motion by Mr. Barber; seconded by Mr. Douglass to accept the minutes from the January 25, 2021, Regular Meeting.
Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion Carried

Community Input

Mr. Ryan stated TOPS Market and Price Chopper have entered into an agreement for Price Chopper to acquire TOPS Market. Mr. Ryan stated there are pros and cons that could affect our TOPS located in Peru.
Mr. McDonald stated all Department Heads and John Ryan may attend the Town meetings in person starting with the February 22, 2021 Regular meeting. Zoom will still be available.

Mr. McDonald asked for Executive session to be moved to 10A on the agenda and Item 17 be removed.
Motion by Mr. Douglass; seconded by Mr. Bruno to move Executive session to 10A and remove Item 17.

Ayes 5 Nays 0

Davey Drive Road Acceptance/Turnover to Town

Motion Carried

Mr. Tetrault stated the water/sewer infrastructure needed to be documented if it hasn’t been. Mr. Favro recommended then the transfer would be filed.

The Town Board accepted the turnover with 5 Ayes. RESOLUTION NUMBER: 21.02.08-1

A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF PERU AND PERU FREE LIBRARY AND AUTHORIZING THE SUPERVISOR TO EXECUTE THE SAME.

MOTION: Mr. Barber SECOND: Mr. Irwin

WHEREAS, the Town Board members have the Contract between Peru Free Library and the Town of Peru before them,

WHEREAS, The Town Board of the Town of Peru did provide in its 2021 budget an appropriation in the amount of $80,000.00 to be paid from Account #A00.7410.0400 for Peru Free Library. THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, said proposed Contract is approved and the Supervisor be and hereby is authorized to execute said contract, AND, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.