PERU – Selectmen on Monday tabled a request from the Planning Board to sign a letter to be sent to two alleged shoreland zoning violators.
Selectmen said they need clarification on the situation involving Randy Oldham and Donald Carver, who were cited for infractions in the shoreland zone and ordered to pay a penalty. Oldham paid about $250; Carver was asked to pay $100 and did not.
Oldham wants his money back after learning the Appeals Board ruled recently that a fine may be imposed only by a court, not by planners or the code enforcement officer. The Planning Board has refused to return the money.
Selectmen would not sign the letter without clarifying the issue of whether the letter represented a consent agreement and whether it involved a fine.
Selectmen Chairman Andy St. Pierre said that in light of the recent decision by the Appeals Board, he needed to understand the issue better.
In other action, selectmen approved building permits for Lawrence LaPointe on Ridge Road for a new home, Melissa Lufkin on Meagan Drive for a foundation, Ed Gerry on Auburn Road for an awning, and a renewal for Penny Lemay on Mineral Springs Road, whose permit had expired because it was more than a year old.
The board denied a permit for Richard Bean on Greenwood Road to add a bedroom to his house.
The town is still trying to get a code enforcement officer and is considering sharing one with other towns.
Road Commissioner David Gammon said he will be putting more gravel on roads damaged by recent rains. He said he has not received funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that are due, probably because of the recent hurricane needs. St. Pierre asked him to watch everything he spends and report weekly as they are close to budget. Gammon said it was going to be a tight winter for the roads.
Selectman Norman DeRoche and St. Pierre will join Gammon on Saturday to tour roads in Peru to plan priorities for next year.
The board is also concerned about the Planning Board account because of the number of meetings held this year.
The board approved changing water frontage for Frank and Kathleen Briggs from 75 feet to 50 feet after a survey was submitted which proved they were assessed for more frontage than they owned. The change will be reflected in the 2006 taxes.
St. Pierre and DeRoche are working on plans for a fund-raiser to keep Rockemeka Hall open the rest of the year.
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