Christine Crawford

The Peru Town Board held a regular meeting where they accepted departmental reports and approved the minutes from previous meetings. The board addressed community input regarding the paving of Bruce Drive and passed resolutions concerning the internal control audit for the Town Court, the Bond Counsel Retainer Letter for the Peru Sewer District No. 1 Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project, and the closure of a capital project bank account. An update was provided on the Telegraph Rd. Culvert Project, and the board discussed a contract for the Hamilson Solar Project and the dangerous dog kennel contract. They also authorized the post-audit payment of certain claims, bills, and invoices.

The purpose of the special meeting was to award bids for Mechanical Contract (M) and Alternate M-1 for the WPCP project. The board accepted the lowest responsible bid for Contract (M) from K&L Plumbing & Heating, Inc., totaling $1,156,000, contingent upon final legal review.

The board addressed resident concerns regarding a property at 496 Lapham Mills Road, deemed uninhabitable due to lack of utilities and a Certificate of Occupancy. Discussions included the process for condemnation, resident removal, and obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy. The board approved contracts with the Clinton County Youth Bureau for recreation program funding and an interim loan from the General Fund for a plow truck purchase. An engineering update on the Telegraph Road Culvert Project was provided. The board approved hiring a property appraiser for the Jenkins St. property, appointed a member to the Board of Assessment Review, and reviewed department head comments, including updates on sewer projects, youth commission donations, highway repairs, recreation programs, and dangerous dog kennel facility coordination. Finally, the board approved payment of March 2025 bills.

The meeting included updates on the Wastewater Treatment Plant project, including bidding, pre-bid meetings, and agency review approvals. An engineering update on the Telegraph Road project was presented, outlining design progress, subconsultant activities, and environmental agency coordination. Several resolutions were approved, including contracts with the Peru Free Library, JCEO of Clinton and Franklin Counties, Essex County for snow plowing, and Eagles' Nest Veterinary Hospital for housing dangerous dogs. The purchase of a Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD truck was approved. A bid for a water/sewer pickup truck was tabled. Approval was given for one person to attend E-One Service Training. A work session was scheduled to discuss broadband expansion. Post-audit payments for December 2024 and January 2025 claims were approved. An executive session was held regarding personnel.

The Town Board meeting focused on establishing 2025 salaries for elected officials and appointees. Resolutions were passed setting salaries and payment frequencies for various positions, including the Town Council Members, Supervisor, Clerk, Justices, and Highway Superintendent. Appointments for numerous positions were also approved. The meeting also addressed the approval of 2025 contracts (with the exception of two tabled contracts), the establishment of a mileage reimbursement rate, the designation of town depositories, the naming of the official town newspaper, and the adoption of a 2025 procurement policy. A workshop was suggested to further discuss the procurement policy.