Fire chief seeks software for police substation

CANTON — The Oxford County Sheriff's Department is looking into installing a computer program on the Fire Department's computer so police can use the firehouse as a substation, Fire Chief Wayne Dube said Thursday

  He said the town would probably see more police presence if the software is installed. The sheriff's department may also bring a 4-wheeler to the station that could be used for rescues, he told the Board of Selectmen.

In other business, Dube said he'd like to find funds to put LED lights on the town Christmas tree. There is no money in the budget for the lights this year, but private donations would be accepted.

In other news, Selectman Lisa Cummings said she would organize a free store for the town in the old municipal building after it was cleaned out.

"Several people have contacted me about a free store and I know people can use items that are thrown away in the trash," Cummings said. Selectmen gave Cummings the approval to get the store started.

Selectman Scotty Kilbreth said he would look into whether the town has to put out to bid repairing the lights in the Town Office and municipal building. Selectmen were not sure if the limit for putting out to bid was $2,000 or $5,000. One estimate has the job priced at $2,500. There are problems in the office with the ballasts that need replacing, Kilbreth said.

Selectman Jackie Conant said the lights went out on Election Day, but someone was able to get them working again. "They really need to be fixed now," she said. There are also problems in the Municipal Building.

Road Foreman Randy Scrivner said someone is interested in buying the John Deere riding mower, but the board said it has to be put out to bid. All bids will be due on Tuesday, Nov. 24, which is the date of the next selectmen meeting. The normal date would fall on Thanksgiving Day.

There will be a public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant application at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, before the meeting. The application process was approved at a special town meeting on Nov. 5, but the hearing was not properly advertised.