PERU — The repairs to the playground behind the Town Office are underway,  but town officials aren’t sure when they will be completed.

The Board of Selectmen made the decision May 15 to close the playground because of safety concerns.

Selectwoman Carol Roach said the board checked the state’s standards for playground safety and equipment and found the playground had several violations. The town’s insurance agent also advised that the playground be closed, because the town’s liability could be substantial.

Voters approved $3,000 to upgrade equipment and address safety concerns.

Stephanie Woods, secretary to the selectmen, said “a bunch of volunteers” are working on it.

In other news, selectmen decided Monday night to extend the current contract with Friends of Peru Elementary School to June 2018.

Selectman Kevin Taylor made the suggestion after negotiations with the group for a new contract did not yield a final draft.

Woods said that as of right now, it is the town’s responsibility to repair and maintain the building, because they own it, and it is group’s responsibility to maintain proper insurance and care of the programs within the building.

Selectmen are developing a new contract with the town’s insurance company and attorney.

The former Peru Elementary School received an inspection by a state fire investigator May 19 after pictures and complaints were brought to the board by a resident.

The inspection report noted the lack of a hood, duct or extinguishing system in the kitchen, improper or missing hand and guardrails for stairways and inoperative emergency lights, among other things.

Friends of Peru Elementary School also must have a permit from the state Fire Marshal’s Office to change its use from education to multiuse community center.

The building is used by Friends of Peru Elementary School, a group whose mission is to preserve the historic building and transform it into a community center.

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