BUCKFIELD – Paris Hill, North Hill and South Hill roads are the top priorities for work under the county disaster-preparedness plan signed by selectmen Tuesday night.

After a public hearing on the Oxford County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan, selectmen put their signatures on it, making the town eligible for federal money for projects aimed at limiting the damage to people and property from natural or manmade disasters.

In 2000, Congress passed the Disaster Mitigation Plan to provide money to reduce the effects of floods, storms, fires, high winds, hazardous materials and other disasters.

Oxford County’s plan must be approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The top priority project for Buckfield is ditching about 10,000 feet on Paris Hill Road and adding four cross culverts; the second is the same work on North Hill and South Hill roads. The estimated cost of the projects is $25,000 each.

Town Manager Glen Holmes reported on legal actions for junkyard violations. He said Graham Bell, owner of Nezinscot Industries Inc., was served with a summons to court last week, and there had been no response so far.

Holmes said he met with Roger Bennett’s lawyers, and they contend that if a vehicle is inspected or registered, the owner is not in violation. Holmes said the town attorney said the vehicles must be registered and inspected. Bennett’s property is on Depot Street.

Holmes also said that Allen Young has a person working to clean up his Shedd Hollow Road property.

Resident Fred Cooper asked how much the town has spent on legal fees from the $10,000 approved for that purpose at a special town meeting in March. Holmes reported that $1,900 had been used.

Cooper asked how the town could afford to sue all the people who are in violation.

Selectman Oscar Gammon said the board hoped that as the town wins the cases, other people would then proceed to clean up their junkyards.

Selectman Chris Hayward said he knew of several sites that were already being cleaned up.

A workshop on the Municipal Center Landscaping Project has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8. The project will provide access to the municipal center building for the public and employees. It will enlarge the present parking area at the center and, through extensive landscaping, upgrade the appearance of the town.

Holmes announced that the transfer station will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, but will open Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Town Office will close at noon on Dec. 24 and reopen Dec. 28. It will close at noon Dec. 31 and reopen Jan. 4.