The committee is hoping to attract jobs to the area.
Mary A. Standard
Special to the Sun Journal

PERU – A small but vocal group attended the Peru Comprehensive Plan forum Wednesday night at Peru School.

Approximately 22 people enjoyed conversation and strawberry shortcake supplied by Ridge Road Self Storage and served by the Friends on a Mission youth group.

They then moved into three groups to discuss what they liked, what they disliked and what changes they would like to see in Peru.

The forum kicked off a 20-month planning initiative led by Comprehensive Plan chairman Bill Hines.

Three groups were formed to brainstorm ideas. They later came back together for discussion.

One resident said he felt the committee had jumped the gun by putting the Comprehensive Plan through. He said he would like to see what negative impact the town would suffer from the state if it didn’t make a plan.

The group leader quickly focused the discussion on the questions. Norman DeRoche, committee member said, “The plan has to do with our town and we need a plan to protect us. It’s about having rules in place to keep our town like we want it.”

Among comments made regarding what people liked about Peru were:

• The small town.

• How people cared about you.

• The school.

• The feeling that you are one big family.

• The mill rate is manageable.

• Fairly low taxes.

• No subdivisions and houses are spread out.

• Good fire department.

• Air pollution is minimal and water is not polluted.

Among changes the groups desired to see were:

• To have more river access.

• More community involvement

• More ordinances.

• Junk car guidelines.

• More law enforcement.

• Better roads.

• Community awareness of what Peru has to offer historically, such as the Indian trail and mineral springs

• A different form of town government with few volunteers needed.

A highy discussed issue was attracting a business that would create jobs.

Then came the question about chicken farms moving in. Andy St. Pierre reminded the group that without a Comprehensive Plan that spelled out the rules, it had no right to say no to any industry that wanted to move in.

Another comment that generated discussion was the Androscoggin River.

One group commented they liked the river undeveloped. Another group wanted to see more access and recreational activities.

This brought up the fact that a motel chain could build along the river and the town had no way to stop it.

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