PERU – The Board of Selectmen decided Monday to schedule a time to revisit the issue of installing time clocks in the town office and town garage. Last week the board voted 3-1 to install the clocks to better document employees’ hours.

After hearing some concerns from employees, the board decided to hold off until a full five-member board is present to reconsider the issue, probably next week.

“That was done on the spur of the moment and may have come out a little hot from the pistol,” said Vice Chairman Norman DeRoche. He originally voted to install the clocks, but said Monday that he was having second thoughts because of the expense involved with installation versus benefit to the town.

Also on Monday, the board received a copy of the proposed state valuation of assessed property in Peru for 2005. According to figures from the Property Tax Division of Maine Revenue Services, Peru’s valuation will increase $8 million from the 2004 numbers, to a total of $88.9 million. Unless it is appealed, that figure will be used to compute state funding for schools and other programs.

Several board members were surprised by the amount the valuation had risen in one year, and they decided to ask the town’s assessor to look over the figures. If they believe the large increase was made unfairly or in error, the board can appeal for a lower valuation from the state.

Selectmen are planning to meet with Road Commissioner David Gammon in the coming weeks to discuss some concerns they have about the road department, including project scheduling.

The commissioner met with the board in August to develop and post a schedule of high-priority projects for that month. Several of the projects listed have yet to be completed, and no monthly schedules for September or October were created.