A selectman’s seat is up for grabs in Peru.
By Eric Horn
Special to the Sun Journal

PERU – Two residents are running for the selectman’s position set to open soon.

Patricia Garbarini filed papers late last month to have her name placed on the ballot in the March 22 election.

Norman DeRoche, who currently serves as chairman of the Board of Selectmen, announced at Monday’s meeting that he will seek re-election as a write-in candidate. DeRoche originally had no plans to run for another three-year term but had a change of heart after the deadline to file candidate papers with the town office had passed.

A short agenda at the meeting included a visit from Chris Wilber from the Portland Natural Gas Transmission Service. Wilber said he was visiting most small Maine communities to ensure that town residents and officials were aware of gas pipelines that run through their territory and what should be done if a line begins to leak.

Wilber announced that PNGTS will provide training for firefighters and emergency response team training at the towns’ convenience this year. He also said that his company will send out mailers to everyone living within 660 feet of a gas pipeline explaining what to do should a leak occur. The mailers are part of a U.S. Department of Transportation plan that includes finding ways to educate school children about pipeline safety.

Wilber said although his company is doing a lot to prepare residents if a leak occurs in their community, pipeline problems are rare. “It is a less than once-in-a-lifetime event,” he explained.

“We want people to be aware when they are recreating about what to watch out for.” He said a major leak is easy to detect because they are extremely loud. “It’s like a 747 taking off.”

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