Referendum ballot set for Peru

PERU- Last week selectmen finalized and unanimously approved the five-item referendum ballot for the November vote. Selectman Dickie Powell refused to approve and sign the final ballot.

When voters go to the polls on November 6 they will be asked the following:

Shall the Town of Peru adopt the ordinance titled “Town of Peru Industrial Wind Energy Facility Ordinance”?

The wind ordinance committee has worked feverishly for more than a year now to clarify an ordinance that will suit the town’s comfort level with proposed wind towers and not prohibit business from entering town limits. A full version of the proposed ordinance can be found at the town office during regular business hours.

The selectmen do not have a recommendation.

Shall the Town of Peru adopt the ordinance titled “Town of Peru Recall of Elected Municipal Officers Ordinance”?

A group of citizens, Peruvians for Honest Government, submitted a petition earlier this summer to place an ordinance in effect that would allow the town to recall an elected officer. The ordinance request was approved by selectmen and will appear on the ballot as written above. A full outline of the ordinance can be found at the town office.

The selectmen do not have a recommendation.

Shall the Town of Peru adopt the ordinance titled “Town of Peru Changeable/Electronic Message Sign Ordinance”?

The Maine Department of Transportation requires a sign ordinance in each town that approves the existence of an electronic sign, of which, one now exists on the side of the fire station.

The selectmen do not have a recommendation.

Shall the Town of Peru keep the Secretary to the Board of Selectmen position as full-time (35-40hrs.) and appointed by the Board of Selectmen?

Selectmen were presented with a petition circulated by Bill Hussey during Monday night’s selectmen’s meeting to reverse the vote that took place in June in regards to the Secretary to the Board of Selectmen position. Citizens are requesting that the town approve the position to go back to an appointed (35-40 hr. p/w) position and not an elected position.

The selectmen do not have a recommendation.

Shall the Town of Peru take $5,000 from surplus to complete the roof and entry door projects at the town office?

Selectmen recently received three bids from local contractors to replace the roof on the town office. None of the bids included the two doors that are in dire need of replacement and would help the town save thousands of dollars a year in heating costs.

The bid that was agreed upon places the cost of roof replacement alone, over budget by $1,530. Selectmen agreed that $5,000 would more than cover the overage on the roof and the purchase and installation of the doors, therefore, what wasn’t used would be left in surplus.

Citizens are urged to get out and vote on November 6 to allow their voice to be heard. If you have further questions on any of the ballot items, please contact the town office for further clarification in order to make an informed decision.