PERU – Selectmen were given copies of the SAD 21 merger agreement recommended by Education Commissioner Susan Gendron at Monday night’s meeting.

Even with the proposed agreement in hand, the board will have to wait a little longer before it can agree to put the issue before town voters. Peru Superintendent John Turner said a conflict between state and municipal law on when the vote can take place was causing the delay. He said he expected to have additional copies signed by Gendron ready for the board soon.

Selectmen also discussed changes to state and local requirements regarding building permits and new driveways. Effective Sept. 13, 2003, anyone creating a new driveway or entrance to a state road must get a state Department of Transportation entrance permit before the town can issue a building permit. There was no particular correlation between the two before this change took effect.

There will be a similar change for people wanting to establish a new entrance to a town road, including the temporary entrances created by loggers. The board voted unanimously to require that a permit be issued by Peru’s road commissioner before any new entrance can be created.

Selectman Norman DeRoche believes that requiring the road commissioner’s approval will cut the cost of fixing drainage problems caused by improperly constructed driveways.

“The permits are free, and it can save the town a lot of money,” he said.

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