AUGUSTA – Legislators heard testimony on a bill Wednesday that, if approved, could mean the beginning of a hoped-for move for Canton village.

Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Oxford, introduced the bill in front of the Appropriations Committee asking for $2 million as a bond issue that would be used to provide money to towns statewide that suffer some kind disaster before federal money comes through.

The $2 million would become part of a bond issue that would go before voters in June or November if approved by the committee.

He also asked for $50,000 from the general fund that would be used as a match for federal funds to conduct floodplain mitigation studies for Franklin, Oxford and Androscoggin counties.

Canton suffered about $2 million in damage during the December floods. The village area, located in the Androscoggin River Floodplain, has frequently flooded.

Also, Bryant asked for $150,000 for direct help to Canton that would help alleviate the costs of damages caused by the floods. One of the co-sponsors of the bill, Rep. John Patrick, D-Rumford testified at the hearing. So, too, did Diane Ray, co-chairman of Canton’s Comprehensive Plan Committee.

Her committee, through the Comprehensive Plan, recommended that Canton village, now located along Route 140, be moved to a section of Route 108.

She estimated a cost of at least $12 million to complete the move over a period of time.

The $150,000 would help residents who don’t otherwise qualify for assistance.

It could be the beginning of a planned buy out of properties that would eventually be moved.

Whether the three requests make it out of committee intact won’t be known until late this month or early next month.

“People were very positive and very sympathetic,” said Ray Wednesday afternoon.

She said the Comprehensive Plan Committee expects to meet with a consultant provided by the federal government after Canton’s annual town meeting on Saturday to learn how to do a cost/benefits analysis of the proposed move. She said the government provided the consultant because the village area was declared a federal disaster area after the December floods.

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