CANTON – Selectmen have accepted a contract from the Mattor Co. of Bar Mills for assessments of properties in the flood zone that were damaged in the 2003 flood.

Assessments will begin immediately. The properties’ values before the flood needs to be determined before the town can proceed with the next stage in the buyouts.

Diane Ray, special projects coordinator, said the Special Projects Committee has sent letters to property owners in the proposed development area, outside the flood zone, and expects to meet with them individually by the end of December. The goal: to see if the town or the developer can get purchase options on enough land to make the development viable for commercial and residential use.

The area under consideration was selected by the Planning Board. Town officials hope to relocate people and businesses currently in the flood zone to the proposed development area.

Ray reported that $150,000 was released Wednesday to the town through the Maine Emergency Management Agency from the hazard mitigation grant program. This money will be used in the buyout program in which the town plans to purchase flood-damaged homes.

In other news, Road Commissioner Craig Gammon said he’s putting the town’s old sander out to bid. The bids will be due Dec. 22.

The board agreed to open the transfer station on Sunday, Dec. 26, as a courtesy to town residents.

Administrative Assistant Kathy Hutchins has arranged a children’s Christmas party from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Municipal Building.

Hutchins announced that the 2005 hunting and fishing licenses are available in the town office.

The board agreed to let the Canton Community Church meet in the Municipal Building on Sundays starting in January. The Rev. Scott Verrill said the members are closing the Round Church because of the high cost of heating the building. He said he hopes the community will feel more a part of the church in this new location. The church plans to give a donation to the town each month and to do maintenance to the building if members see something that needs to be done.

Hutchins said they need three new members for the Budget Committee.

The board signed a contract with Ranor Inc. of Jay for the plumbing at the new fire station.

There will be a public hearing to discuss the Oxford County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, just before the regular selectmen’s meeting.