CANTON – The compactor garbage truck used to carry household waste to the burn site in Jay is full of holes, Craig Gammon reported to selectmen Thursday night.
Gammon, who is road commissioner, also does the garbage run to Jay two days a week. “Not only is the truck full of holes, but it’s too small for the amount of garbage that is generated at the town’s recycling center. Now I have to make two trips twice a week to Jay and I would like to see someone else take over this job,” he said.
Gammon was asked about where the holes were and if he thought it could be repaired. He replied that the bottom had large holes and when the garbage was compacted it pushes against a rotten floor making the holes worse and a little garbage was actually falling out.
“There is no way to put a new bottom in because there is nothing to bolt it to,” he added.
Selectmen discussed what could be done and concluded that nothing could be done except shop around and get prices before the annual town meeting in March.
Gammon and Selectman Donald Hutchins said they would start calling to get estimates. They both agreed that the town trucks need updating as well and the town should look at starting a reserve fund for major equipment expenditures.
In other business, selectmen discussed how they could use existing funds to help the water district stay afloat in this transition time when customers are lost due to relocation of houses out of the flood zone and the building of homes in the new town center. The board will meet in closed session on Monday with the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee to work on possibilities of available funds.
The next selectmen’s meeting will be at 5 p.m. Jan. 26 in order to allow the board to attend the River Valley Growth Council meeting in Rumford.
Nomination papers are due in the town office by Feb. 15 for elections on March 10 followed by the town meeting on March 11. There is one selectman’s position to be filled.
There will be an American Cancer Society Relay for Life fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Canton Municipal Hall with Scrappers DoMaine’s Scrapmobile. The price of $25 includes lunch, snack, raffles and prizes.
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