PERU — Board of Selectmen Chairman Lee Merrill told the board Monday night that he spoke to state officials about purchasing a plow truck equipped to the town’s specifications, which might save about $8,000.
The board voted Sept. 25 to buy a truck chassis from Ripley & Fletcher Ford of Paris and plow equipment from Viking Cives for a total of $96,150. They delayed ordering it until they determined whether getting through the state would cost less money.
No decision was made Monday, pending further talks with the state.
In other business, Selectman Wendy Henderson questioned the wording of the explanation for the Nov. 4 ballot article on the old Peru Elementary School.
The article, if passed, would return the facility to town control, have the Friends of Peru Elementary School manage it and the town provide $10,000 to operate it as the Peru Community Center.
A public hearing on the article is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, at the Community Center.
Henderson suggested the explanation should make it clear that the $10,000 appropriation is for only one year.
Selectman Jim Pulsifer said the explanation is adequate because voters will have to approve support for the Community Center annually.
In road department business, selectmen approved a request from foreman Joe Roach to loan Mexico a machine that places gravel on road shoulders. Roach said Peru is through using the machine for this season and that Mexico wants to try it on a couple of miles of road to help determine whether it wants to buy a similar machine.
Roach said he is working on permits for stream crossings on East Shore Drive and that Gammon Road will be paved this season.
Selectmen Secretary Angela Barkhouse announced the Worthley Pond Spring will be closed for treatment from Tuesday, Oct. 7, through Thursday, Oct. 9.
Town Clerk Vera Parent said absentee ballots are available at the Town Office for the Nov. 4 election and referendums.
Selectmen reviewed the town’s state valuation, which rose from a$124,150,000 for 2014 to $125,500,000 for 2015.
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