FARMINGTON – Selectmen on Tuesday decided to hold a special meeting with the Planning Board to address what local government and businesses can do to ensure the viability of Franklin County farmland.

The meeting, planned for 6 p.m. April 28 at the West Farmington Grange Hall, will look at ways the town can promote agriculture, Town Manager Richard Davis told the board.

Some of the changes occurring on the more than 300 farms in Franklin County will be discussed by Tom Eastler of the Planning Board. Bussie York, a dairy farmer and Planning Board member, will share his vision of agriculture in the 21st century.

Other speakers include John Piotti of Maine Farmland Trust and Stephanie Gilbert of Maine’s Farmland Protection Program.

The board voted unanimously with one absent to co-sponsor the event.

The board also approved a resolution to accompany an application for Preserve America status. Preserve America is an administrative initiative chaired by first lady Laura Bush that recognizes and promotes historical aspects of the community.

Code Enforcement Officer J. Stevens Kaiser and Bruce Hazard of Maine Mountain Heritage have worked on the application, Davis said. The designation could help town projects such as the Old North Church and the downtown walking tour, he added.

The board approved the resolution with some historic editing in the application to be done by Selectman Nancy Porter.

In other business, the board accepted a payment totaling $21,130 from three leaders of the Parents for the Playground. The money will help pay for equipment for the playground renovation project at Hippach Field.

The equipment has been ordered and should be delivered around May 15, Davis said.

“It’s been an entire community effort with less than a year of fundraising,” said parent Joanne Chancey.

Police Chief Richard Caton presented to the board bids from five dealers for a new police cruiser. The board voted unanimously to accept a bid from Quirk Ford for a 2008 Crown Victoria at a price of $19,281.

The board also accepted a bid from Farmington Construction for $4,598.10 for foundation work on the gazebo in Meetinghouse Park. A bid from Superior Touch in Auburn for $2,265 for a suspended ceiling to be installed above the stage at the Community Center was also accepted.