CANTON – Area residents will have a unique opportunity on Saturday to bid on salvage materials from homes bought as part of the Flood Mitigation Program.
The first seven homes purchased under the program will be razed by the end of December. Diane Ray, chairwoman of the Special Projects Committee, said the town is trying to be fair by offering items ranging from roofing and siding to doors and windows to the general public.
Those who wish to bid must pick up a salvage packet at the town office by 8:30 a.m. Nov. 5. After a presentation about how the process will work, participants can then check out each home on their own.
A town representative will be on site of each home to assist.
More than $1 million in grants and forgivable loans from the Maine State Housing Authority, the federal Community Development Block Grant Program and the Hazard Mitigation Grant program have been used to begin the buyouts. Another $3 million in Federal Emergency Management Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program funds is going toward additional buyouts, Ray said. A total of 66 homes are targeted for eventual removal in an effort to prevent further flood damage.
She said former owners of the first seven homes have taken what they wanted. All money raised as a result of Saturday’s salvage opportunity will be funneled back into the home buyout program.
She said when a similar program took place in the 1990s in Fort Fairfield, enough money was raised to buy out one additional home.
Participants on Saturday must submit their bids to the Canton Town Office by noon on Saturday, Nov. 12. Selectmen will award the bids at their Nov. 16 board meeting. All items must be removed from the homes by Dec. 3. Part of the bid process requires proof that the materials can be removed by the due date.
The homes are at 75, 77 and 37 Pleasant St., 48 and 53 School St., 16 Laplant Road, and 11 A/B Cross Street.
Ray said none of the homes have been found to be historically or architecturally valuable.
Simultaneously with the salvage bids, those wanting to demolish the homes may also take part in the walk-through. Demolition requirements are available at the town office. All demolition bids must be submitted to the town office by noon Saturday, Nov. 19. Contracts will be awarded Nov. 23, and demolition must be complete by Dec. 30.
Much of Canton’s village has been repeatedly flooded throughout the years, the last time in December 2003, causing more than $2 million damage. Plans are to eventually create a new village center on higher ground off Route 108.
Comments are no longer available on this story