The Peru Gazette

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By John T. Ryan

Residents attending the Monday, January 9, 2012 Peru Town Board meeting learned that the town’s planned $3 million water system upgrades would cost a Peru water user owning a $150,000 home up approximately $100 to $200 annually over a 25 year bonding period. Town Supervisor Peter Glushko said the town will be subject to legal action and possible fines from both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Clinton County Health Department if the water quality isn’t improved. The project also includes improvements to the town’s aging water pipes and the repairs and upgrades to the water storage tanks on the Reservoir Road and in the hamlet.  Glushko said the board will seek grants and other sources of funding, but those couldn’t be guaranteed at this time. A  $3,001,500 twenty-five year water quality improvement bond would finance the project.  The board will hold community informational meetings to better inform the public.

Residents Michael Lawliss and Darrell Altizer thanked the board for maintaining the skating rink at the Little AuSable River Park. The board recently authorized repair of a damaged light pole at the rink and the fire department floods the ice. Lawliss said, “With little skiing or sliding this winter the kids need something to do.” Lawliss said that adults informally supervise the young people and that the hockey games attract several kids. Altizer mentioned the possibility of starting a sliding hill on the Heyworth Village side of the bridge. Greg Timmons assured Lawliss and Altizer that additional lighting is being installed. Installation of a second light pole was mentioned.

Responding to the needs of the Highway Department the Board accepted a $132,950 bid from Milton Cat of Milton, Vermont for a CAT DL Excavator Model 312D. A slightly lower bid was received, but it did not meet specifications. The track machine will be used for ditching at some of Peru’s beaver dams among other tasks.

Spring and Hurricane Irene related floods resulted in $1.2 million in town road repairs. While full FEMA reimbursement is expected, contractors must be paid. Therefore, the board authorized the supervisor to apply for a  $1 million, five-year, no interest federal loan.  The remaining $200,000 will be financed through short-term borrowing.  (At about the same time the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation announced that Peru would receive the $1 million loan.)

In other actions:

• The board reappointed Rob Bashaw to a seven-year term on the Town Zoning Board.
• Supervisor Glushko reported that he had met with a representative of Security Concepts to discuss upgrading the town hall security system. Greg Timmons is pricing steel doors.  Action should be taken at the next board meeting.
• Councilman Brandy McDonald spoke about the burglaries impacting the North Country. He asked residents to report anything that “doesn’t look right” to the NYS Police. Peru’s most recent robberies on the River Road and in a more remote location took place on December 29^th and January 3^rd. There have been more than twenty recent burglaries in Peru.
• The Elmore SPCA invited the board to tour its remodeled Telegraph Road facilities on January 15^th at 1 p.m.
• Highway Superintendent Farrell asked the board if the town has an obligation to salt icy sidewalks.
• Adopted an updated Dog Licensing Law.
• Adjourned about 8:30 p.m.

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L-R Front Row: Nancy Fegan, Michelle St. Onge, Polly Lake, Sarah Davis. Back Row L-R Donna Scott, Joe Rinella, George Burrell, Harriet Burrell, Phil Madore, Peter Lake and Barbara Wagner. 

Members of the Peru Community Church Jamaican Mission were in the Fellowship Center last evening making final preparations for their Saturday departure.  An advance party is leaving today. Fifteen volunteers will make the trip this year including five first-time missioners and five who live in other parts of the United States.

The volunteers will build a house or room for a needy Jamaican family and assist at a Jamaican school and orphanage.  Their luggage is packed with school supplies, children’s clothing and other items. This is the 13th Jamaican Mission. (Click here for photos) 

On December 18, 2011 the Press Republican published an good article describing the mission trip and featuring an interview with Michelle St. Onge, one of the five first-time missioners.

The missioners include: George and Harriet Burrell, Peter and Polly Lake, Barbara Wagner, Joseph Rinella, Sarah Davis, Dan and Janet Geldert, Nancy Fegan, Brenda Roberts, Dee Doolittle, Hank Horn, Donna Scott, Jerrilynn Pratt-Mullen, Michelle St. Onge and Philip Madore.

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Karen Mason’s singing thrilled local residents a few years ago and she’s returning for an encore. The well known Broadway and cabaret performer will entertain her audience on Saturday, January 21, 2012 (8 p.m.) at the West Side Ballroom.  All concert proceeds will benefit the Peru Community Church’s Youth Group mission trip to Washington DC. Tickets are $35 each or $50 for two tickets if purchased in advance by calling 643-8621.  Tables seating 8 are available for $200. Tickets purchased at the door will be $35.00.

Mason is a longtime friend of Peru Community Church Pastor Robert Svenson.  Click here for our story on her 2009 local appearance.

L-R Bryan Duprey, Courtney Tetrault, Tyler Williams, Brian Westover, Kevin O'Neil, Lloyd Provost and Cher Kirby. Dave Brown photo

The Peru Fire Department recently elected its officers for 2012.  The Peru Gazette congratulates and salutes these men and women who accepted positions of leadership and responsibility.

The officers are:

Chief – Brian Westover

1st Assistant Chief – Tyler Williams

2nd Assistant Chief – Kevin O’Neil

Fire Captain – Courtney Tetrault

1st Fire Lieutenant – Lloyd Provost

2nd Fire Lieutenant – Bryan Duprey

EMS Captain – Cher Kirby