PERU – Residents will work through a 55-article town meeting warrant when they meet on Saturday, including action on a first-ever comprehensive plan.
The annual event begins at 9 a.m. at Peru Elementary School.
The Comprehensive Plan Committee, along with the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, have been working on the proposed 66-page document for two years. The committee’s chairman, Bill Hine, said the document is necessary because of rising property values and growth in nearby towns.
Ordinances and other regulations that would allow implementation of some of the plan’s ideas would be acted on separately at later special town meetings, he said.
Among the ideas in the proposed plan are a call for sharing a code enforcement officer with another town, adoption of a site plan review ordinance, establishment of a driveway permit procedure, and setting of a fine schedule for construction without the proper permits.
If all money articles are passed, residents would raise $636,702, up just over 3 percent from last year’s $616,116. These figures include Peru’s share of Oxford County taxes.
Residents will also decide whether to take up to $200,000 from surplus for construction of a sand and salt shed on a parcel in Peru Center. If approved, the town hopes to have the shed, which will hold up to 3,000 cubic yards, built during the coming summer.
Town Clerk Vera Parent said 41 percent of the shed’s cost would be reimbursed by the state.
Other new expenses include $2,000 for building a roof over the stairway at the West Peru Fire Station, and a request by the Moontide Water Festival Committee for $500.
Residents will elect two selectmen, two SAD 21 board members, a road commissioner and a fire chief by ballot from noon until 8 p.m. on Monday, March 21, at Rockemeka Grange Hall.
Bill Hussey, fire chief, is running unopposed. Running for three-year terms on the Board of Selectmen are incumbent Selectman Andre St. Pierre, Kathryn Austin, and former Selectman Rodney Jamison.
Running for a three-year term as road commissioner are incumbent David Gammon, former Selectman Richard Vaughn and Fire Department member Daniel Carrier Jr. Seeking a three-year term on the SAD 21 board are Peru School Committee incumbent Janet Rowley and Stephanie Prue. Running for the two years remaining on Peru School Committee member Tammi Lyons’ term is Patricia Hunt.
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