The board also discussed the Grange Hall.
By Mary A. Standard
Special to the Sun Journal

PERU – Selectmen voted last week to hire Marsha McKenna from McKenna Kennels as animal control officer starting July 1.

McKenna holds the same office in Rumford.

Selectmen had requested that she attend Monday night’s meeting to answer a few questions. One question was a clarification of her hours and what she considered overtime. Her hours are 9 to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday and Sunday 9 to 11 a.m. She is closed on Friday.

Selectman Andy St. Pierre asked if someone calls with a tagged animal, can the owner be billed for her cost. The answer was yes and she charges $20 for the pickup plus boarding.

Selectman Kathy Hussey asked what was the extent of the town’s responsibly as far as the kind of animal.

McKenna said cats, dogs, raccoons, skunks and squirrels in attics about covered the range. She also said you could check with the game warden on some of the wild animals. “If you find a stray dog, you must take him to the shelter. It is a state law that you cannot hold the animal at your home,” she said.

In other business, the Grange Hall insurance problem was discussed at length. Selectmen had asked Family in Crisis to inform them of any insurance they have since it cooks in the building and Maine Municipal Association has only insured the building for $37,820. They responded that they had no insurance, but were in the process of getting quotes.

St. Pierre said he thought from their letter that Family in Crisis did not understand the landlord and tenant relationship.

“I realize they do a lot of good for the town, but they are still liable for damages that might occur,” he said.

He asked to have a letter written to MMA stating that the building is at risk with such low coverage and asking their advice. He said selectmen support the Family in Crisis, but the selectmen are just trying to protect the town.

Town Clerk Vera Parent informed selectmen the town had already spent $2,700 this year on the grange and only had $500 left. The sum of $1,853 was spent on heat and gas and $435 was for electricity. She said if the town hadn’t had a carry-over, they would be over-budget.

Road Commissioner David Gammon said he was starting to put down the recycled tar on Ridge Road and also had to put in more drains. He said cold patch was done on Pleasant Street Monday. St. Pierre noted that Gammon was doing a good job on the Ridge Road project.

Selectmen voted to accept an offer from Dixfield Fuel for $1.09 a gallon or 99 cents if it goes that low.

Representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection will be in Peru on Tuesday to go to the properties of those persons who have applied for a Small Community Grant for replacement of septic systems. DEP will review and prioritize them.

A building permit was signed for a garage house extension for Wayne Putnam.