PERU – Former Selectman Dick Powell urged selectmen Monday night to appeal to the state on the preliminary town valuation of $130,750,000 which is $21 million more than last year.

Powell said a lot of work was done last year by former Selectman Bill Hine and board secretary Kathy Hussey on proving the ratio of selling price to valuation was closer to 90 percent, than the state’s figure of 76 percent.

Powell questioned if any further work had been done in this area.

Rick Childs said he had just built on the pond and was told by Robert Gingras from Parker Appraisals that property values were based on what a real estate agent thought the property was worth. Childs agreed with Powell that the state has several formulas it uses, and the town should ask for a review.

Gingras has been the town assessor for nine years.

Powell said the state reviews the work Gingras does.

In other matters, the board accepted with regret the resignation of John Moro from the road crew for personal reasons.

Chairman Bill Scott told Moro they were sorry to see him leave. Selectman Rodney Jamison said he was sorry, but he understood. Moro will work his two-week notice.

Town Clerk Vera Parent said she found it very disheartening that there was no provision in the personnel policy for sick or personal days. She said she either has to come to work ill or take a vacation day.

Pulsifer said the issue should be addressed in a negotiations session.

Selectman Laurieann Milligan said the board needed to address the issue of alcohol and drugs in the personnel policy as well as in the disciplinary policy.

All who have taken out papers for road commissioner were given a copy of the personnel policy.

Dan Tremper was appointed to the Finance Committee.