CANTON – State and social service officials visited the annual town meeting in Canton on Saturday.

“I am proud of Canton,” said state Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Dixfield. “It went through a big disaster and everybody pulled together. The state and federal government recognized how the community pulled together and how the community is being proactive.

“Going for grants will be easier because of this. Governments see the town doing their part. Be patient. It takes time.”

He said that Maine doesn’t have a pool of money to pull from that can be used for town disasters. He has introduced a $2 million bond proposal in the Legislature to provide this fund.

He also said the ice jam could have been broken, but there was no plan that would address liability issues. Some of the money to be appropriated by this bill will be to study the river basin and develop a plan to mitigate flood damage. He said you need matching money with state or federal grants. The proposed legislation would provide $150,000 that could be used as matching funds for grants.

State Rep. John Patrick, D-Rumford, said, “I am proud to co-sponsor Senator Bryant’s bond bill because Rumford and Mexico had some damage themselves and I saw what Bruce was trying to do.”

Representatives from Androscoggin Home Health, Community Concepts, Western Maine Transportation, SeniorsPlus, River Valley Health and River Valley Growth Council came to share what had been done for Canton over the past year and to thank Canton for continued support. Mitzi Sequoia from Community Concepts presented a plaque of appreciation to Selectman Jackie Conant for going beyond the call of duty during the flood disaster in getting aid to the victims.

Canton voters passed a proposed budget of $428,391, which was a decrease from last year’s budget by $10,833, 37 articles, an Emergency Preparedness ordinance and a Pine Tree Zone municipal resolution in Saturday’s town meeting.

Diane Ray said that the River Valley Growth Council had really gone to bat for Canton in being included in the Pine Tree Zone.