CANTON – Fire Chief Wayne Dube and Rescue Chief Doleen Goodrow painted a gloomy picture for the future of Canton Rescue on Thursday night.

Down to only three emergency medical technicians and four first responders, Dube told selectmen he is not sure the town can afford to keep its rescue team. Citing potential candidates’ lack of time for the 45 hours of training and rigorous tests to complete licensing, he said there is little commitment on the part of residents.

Selectman Chris Wainwright said he hated to see the town lose the service when the population is growing. It is something the community needs, he said.

Dube said it is also a comfort to firefighters to see the rescue unit present and manned.

Dube also presented his agenda for a public hearing at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, for a Community Block Grant of up to $250,000 for a new fire station. The town’s share would be $50,000.

“In 1987 there was 28 inches of water in the building, which presently houses nearly one half million dollars in fire equipment,” he said.

The proposed new station would be placed out of the flood plain. The Comprehensive Plan has identified the new site as a growth area.

The purpose of the hearing is to come up with a five-member committee to get the grant process moving. The proposed fire station will be discussed in full.

In addition to the previously awarded Emergency Management Administration grant for new air packs, Canton Fire Department has received an amendment to the grant for $10,000. The sum of $3,000 of this will be used for radios, $4,500 for an ATV, $1,500 for a suction valve for Engine 1, and $1,000 for fire prevention videos and supplies.

In other business, John Cronin of the Canton sewer treatment plant presented a report polling other communities for sewer hook-up fees. The fees ranged from zero to thousands of dollars.

Selectmen’s Chairman Wally Haynes said he thought the town should come up with a set fee. Discussion developed over who would be responsible for checking on sewer installations. Cronin was asked to call Dixfield to see what its fee would be for installation and to report to selectmen in December.

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