PERU – Residents tabled action on the town’s first-ever proposed comprehensive plan, approved constructing a sand and salt shed, and adopted a municipal budget about 3 percent higher than last year’s for operation of the town Saturday morning.

Just under 50 people gathered for the annual town meeting.

Residents raised more than $635,000 to run the town this year, including $64,168 for the town’s share of Oxford County taxes, but not including its share of school taxes.

New expenses approved were $2,000 for building a roof over the exterior stairs of the fire station and $500 toward Moontide Water Festival fireworks. Three money articles weren’t approved.

Residents also approved taking up to $200,000 from the town’s surplus for construction of a sand and salt shed adjacent to the town garage in Peru Center.

Selectman Chairman Andre St. Pierre said construction of the building will not happen until a solution has been arrived at with neighbor Bruce Thibeault.

Thibeault, who lives in a house abutting the approved lot, has been drawing water from a well on the property for many years. He is challenging the town’s plan to build the shed.

Selectman Jim Pulsifer said the town bought the lot in the early 1990s with the plan to build the shed.

“It’s an ideal site because it is next to the town garage,” he said.

If a resolution is found, St. Pierre said they would break ground sometime this summer.

Despite attempts by the Comprehensive Plan Committee to have the town vote on the proposed 49-page document earlier than next March, the final decision was to delay action until next year’s meeting.

Resident Bob Dolloff made the motion to move action on the plan to a referendum vote in 2006.

“I don’t think it’s proper to do it with a handful of people,” he said.

Bill Hine, chairman of the Comprehensive Plan Committee, attempted to have the vote acted on in June or within 90 days, but these requests were voted down.

He said the committee or the planning board will likely work on some of the ordinances called for in the plan, such as a site plan review.

Peru will elect two selectmen, two SAD 21 board members, a road commissioner and a fire chief during elections on Monday from noon until 8 p.m. at Rockemeka Grange Hall.


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