PERU – Enforcing traffic laws was high on the agenda of Monday night’s selectmen’s meeting.

Board members have received some complaints about both speeders and illegal ATV use on town roads. One resident who attended the meeting said law enforcement coverage in Peru is virtually nonexistent, and people drive dangerously because they have no fear of being caught.

There was discussion about possible solutions to the problem, including the pros and cons of placing Peru under the jurisdiction of a police force from a nearby town.

Aside from the cost of changing from county and state police coverage, some board members said there is a bigger problem in getting people to support more policing.

“People in this area say to themselves, It’s OK if you get a ticket for breaking the law, but I should be able to drive the way I want,'” Selectman Ron Chartier said. “If you want things to change, you have to change people’s attitudes.” He said he is very concerned about speeders traveling on streets near the school.

Although traffic violations have been a recurring issue for several years, Selectman Kathy Hussey said the board’s requests to enforcement agencies are not enough to change police coverage for long. She suggested that people take the time to make there opinions known.

“Every time you have a complaint, call (the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department); they’re going to get sick of hearing from us.”

Also on the agenda Monday was a request for $500 to help pay for fireworks at the Moontide Festival next weekend in Rumford. The board decided to take no action on the issue because of a general feeling that the fireworks show should be scaled back if money is a concern.

“I wish they had put in a request in time for town meeting so that people could vote on it like the other requests we get,” Hussey said.

A workshop was held last week to discuss ways to strengthen Peru’s roads department. In what was described as a very productive meeting, Road Commissioner David Gammon met with the board to develop plans for greater efficiency in the department.

Early plans are under way for a fund-raiser to help with upkeep of the Rockemeka Grange Hall. A tentative date of Sept. 25 was set Monday night for an event that will feature live entertainment by local performers, including selectmen Andre St. Pierre and Norman DeRoche.