PERU – Road Commissioner David Gammon reported Monday night that he has begun work on the Ridge Road.

Cutting trees, ditching and replacing both driveway and town culverts are difficult to accomplish with the amount of traffic, and Gammon said he needed a flagman.

Selectman Ron Chartier said he might be able to do it.

Selectman Kathy Hussey said he should hire any person as casual or incidental help to avoid the town being liable for unemployment.

Gammon mentioned that he didn’t take a raise last year, but was asking for one this year.

Raises, benefits and holidays were discussed for the town clerk, the deputy town clerk and town secretary as well. Chartier said he thought the only equitable way to issue raises was by the same percent for each.

Selectman Andy St. Pierre said he would like to see raises tied to the consumer price index in the future.

Selectman Jim Pulsifer suggested they could discuss the issue further after the town surveys, which includes town employee benefits, are returned.

Concern about small children playing in the road near the town office was discussed, and Pulsifer suggested the sheriff be alerted to the situation. It was suggested that he inform the parents to keep the children out of the road or face a court summons.

Worthley Pond Restaurant is applying for a permit to build a deck. The Planning Board reviewed the case, and said they saw no problem with shoreline zoning as the restaurant has plenty of property. Two selectmen will talk to the contractor this weekend to find out where the handicap ramp will be placed and it will be voted on next Monday.

A building permit was signed for Steve Brooks. A building permit was approved for Ellery Turner providing the plumbing inspector approved the building.

A long discussion arose concerning people who start building additions before getting their permit. Any construction started before being inspected by the code enforcement officer should have a stop order placed on it, according to Pulsifer.

Selectman Kathy Hussey was voted to serve on the Northern Oxford Regional Solid Waste Board.

The board approved a request from Nancy Knox to use the Rockemeka Grange Hall for a Peru Extension meeting from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10.

Free dumping for Peru is from Monday, May 12, through Saturday, May 24.

Peru is still looking for an animal control officer.