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Peru board approves financial adviser retainer as $9.5 million water‑treatment upgrade moves forward
Summary
The Peru Town Board authorized a financial advisory retainer for the Peru Water Treatment Plant Improvements (DWSRF project) as engineers presented filtration upgrades and a possible groundwater well. The project, described at roughly $9.5 million, remains in design and requires permits and public‑finance steps.
The Peru Town Board on July 9 authorized a financial adviser retainer and heard design updates for a major overhaul of the town's water treatment system.
Chair opened discussion saying the project is “roughly a 9 and a half million dollar project,” and the board read a resolution accepting a retainer letter from fiscal advisors and marketing incorporated to provide financial advisory services for the Peru Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project (DWSRF number 19830). The resolution authorizes the supervisor to execute the engagement.
The nut graf: the retainer clears a step toward public financing for filtration upgrades that town leaders say are needed because the town’s reservoir is a surface water supply that can become turbid under some conditions. Engineers also are evaluating a supplemental groundwater well to provide alternate supply.
A representative update from Bartlett & Judas, the engineering firm working on water‑system improvements, described the project as “firmly in design,” noting filtration system upgrades and an option to drill a well near the existing plant to bolster supply when surface water is turbid. Chair said the town could drill on the side of the present water plant and that reservoir and reservoir‑road access would figure in any permitting.
Board members asked procedural questions about public financing and the role of bond counsel and financial advisors. Clerk read the retainer resolution and the motion passed; the board also accepted a related engineering report from AES Northeast for the wastewater project on a separate vote.
The board did not set a construction start date; members noted required permits (wetland and other permits for well access) and additional approvals before bidding or construction. Chair and staff said the town expects further design milestones and will return with detailed financing steps, timelines and any required public hearings.
What’s next: the town will proceed with final design steps and the public‑finance process; the board authorized the adviser engagement so staff can prepare financing documents and related resolutions.
