By John T. Ryan

Deputy Supervisor Jim Douglass chaired the Monday, June 10, 2019 Town Board meeting. Supervisor Brandy McDonald is recovering from a second and very painful shoulder surgery.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell stated that NYS Department of Transportation in Watertown will not work with Stewarts Shops to install a 4-way stop at the Route 22/Main Street – Maiden Lane intersection. Farrell mentioned the possibility of traffic backing up to North Bend Street, but he did not state DOT’s specific reason. During the public comment section of the meeting Peru resident John Ryan urged the Board to talk to DOT officials on this issue either in person or through NYS Senator Betty Little or Assemblyman Billy Jones.

Today (June 13th) Michael Flick, DOT’s Regional Information Officer emailed the Peru Gazette, “Stewarts did propose making the referenced location a four-way stop…in its current configuration. We (DOT) said we would not support expansion/development there without addressing highway geometry and lane configuration needs to address the development, which would be the responsibility of the developer. If there is an apparent problem there with near misses, etc., the Town Board can submit a request to us to evaluate the intersection and we will investigate the intersection.”

The Board delayed scheduling a public hearing on changing the zoning classification of 20 acres of property adjacent to the Dashnaw and Bear Swamp Road. Owners Steve Fuller and Richard Nephew have indicated they would like to develop residential housing on property which is currently zoned commercial. Town Attorney Matt Favro said that the change may be perceived as spot zoning which is not permitted. He discussed keeping all property adjacent Bear Swamp Rd. as commercial while still changing the classification of most of the property in question to residential. The discussion begins at the 9 minutes, 30 second point in the meeting video. The matter will be brought to the Planning and Zoning Boards for input.

Jabez Allen Road resident Bill Baggs asked if there is a possibility that the Town could take over grass mowing at what is called the “Baggs Cemetery” at the corner of the Jabez Allen and Sullivan Roads. Baggs said someone had been mowing the small cemetery, but they have stopped. Ownership of the property will be researched and the Board will research the legality of the matter. The Town currently mows three abandoned cemeteries.

An annual contract with Casella Waste Transportation was approved. Casella will haul sewage treatment plant sludge to a disposal site at a rate of $76 per wet ton, a $5 per ton increase from the last contact.

Background checks on almost all the Youth Commission staff and volunteers have been completed. At last count about 30 people have been checked.

The NYS Comptroller will be holding a training session for local town officials on Thursday, July 11th at the Town of Plattsburgh office. Some Board members plan to attend.