Peru Board of Works approves payrolls, personnel promotions, event street closures and opens demolition bids

The Peru Board of Works on July 7 approved routine claims and payrolls, confirmed personnel moves in the fire and police departments, granted a string of temporary street closures for community events, and opened sealed bids for residential demolitions.

The board approved payment of claims dated July 7 totaling $351,617 and three payroll items: regular payroll of $274,774.68, pension payroll of $90,777.76 and a $132 payroll hour correction. Each motion was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote.

The board also approved a personnel request from the fire department placing firefighter Logan Bailey on permanent status effective at the meeting. The fire department told the board that Bailey completed required training and served a one-year probationary period; Bailey’s hire date was listed as May 7, 2025, and the department said he holds Firefighter I and II certifications and is a nationally registered EMT.

In police personnel actions, the board approved a request to promote Lieutenant Sam Finnegan to captain effective July 18, 2026, to replace Captain Jay Richardson, who is retiring, and approved promotion of Detective Tyler Shoffner to sergeant effective at the end of the Water Works meeting on July 7. The police office described Finnegan’s 23-year record and the selection process; Shoffner was described as a narcotics-division detective who has worked long-term complex cases.

The board approved several temporary street closures for community events, including: Canal Street (Cass to Todd) for the 9th annual customer appreciation cruise-in on July 25 (closure beginning 7 a.m.; event 9 a.m.–3 p.m.); the Story Church block party on East 6th Street on Aug. 16 (4–10 p.m.); the Back to School Festival on West 7th Street (Broadway to Miami and intersecting alleys) on July 25 for distribution of about 500 backpacks; and a closure for the St. Charles Bazaar on Sept. 12. Organizers were required to arrange barricades and are to coordinate with police and street staff on placement and resident notification.

The board also approved a closure of West Main Street from Broadway to Miami from 9–11 a.m. on July 18 to allow landing of an American Huey helicopter prior to the circus parade. Staff noted rotor-wash concerns near construction at First Farmers Bank and Trust and said the contractor will secure loose items.

City staff reviewed a request from NIPSCO to partially close one lane near 171 North Broadway to retire a gas service line. The board approved the lane restriction with conditions: the work should not occur during circus week, the street must be returned to its prior condition, and the city will confirm whether barricades must be provided by the utility.

Building department staff opened sealed demolition bids for multiple properties (various Woodburn Green Drive lots and 11 South Smith Street). Bidders included Hershberger Excavating, Baker Excavating, Blacks Lawn and Maintenance and Merritt and Son. The board accepted the bids for review and will award contracts at a future meeting.

Sarah Benedict, representing Story Church, summarized the church’s block party plans, saying the event aims to invite the congregation and surrounding community. The board reminded organizers that volunteers are responsible for deploying and removing barricades within the agreed timeframe.

The meeting concluded after a public speaker was advised to submit a formal Board of Works request for traffic-flow changes; staff noted that a traffic study might be required for any change in traffic patterns. A motion to adjourn passed and the meeting ended.

What’s next: awards for the demolition contracts will be made at an upcoming Board of Works meeting; several of the approved street closures occur later in July and in August and will require coordination with police and street crews.