CANTON — Selectmen set a public hearing and vote for Nov. 5 on an application for a grant to build a dam on Whitney Brook and consider an agreement to operate and maintain it.

The hearing begins at 6 p.m. at the municipal building.

The Community Development Block Grant would be for $500,000 to replace the temporary dam built by the town. The grant would require a 25 percent match of $125,000 by the town.

Selectman Scott Kilbreth said the Dam Core Committee has already raised $25,000, and several thousand dollars from donors has been promised.

Selectman Lisa Cummings said she was nervous about the grant because of those for the village relocation housing project that fell through and the town is having to repay.

Kilbreth said this situation is not like that one. He said he was sure the town would not have to come up with all the matching funds because of donations that were coming in all the time, and a $500,000 grant would make the new dam possible. This would not be money to be repaid, he said.

The Canton Water District is eligible to apply for the grant because the lake is the source of town water. Debbie Hutchins of the Water District is working with U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, which could be a source of loans or other grants to assist with the matching funds.

There will be an opportunity at the public hearing for questions about the grant. The vote will follow the hearing.

The agreement to operate and manage the dam is between Hartford and Canton. A major portion of the 500-plus-acre lake is in Hartford. 

In other news, after a report by Colby Davis on water damage and the repairs to a portion of the roof at the old Municipal Building, the town approved having the remainder of the roof done to prevent more damage. Colby said the work would be completed before snow comes.

The work is being done by Will Clark of Turner. The cost for the entire roofing job is $7,585 with a 15-year guarantee. Town Administrative Assistant Kathy Hutchins said the money is in the budget.

Jason Olsen said he thought the snowmobile club could donate some money for the roof repairs because it uses the building for meetings. Olsen also received permission for a bridge across Whitney Brook which could be removed at any time.

Jessie Beaudet was hired on a call basis for snow removal.

The town also approved spending approximately $300 to have the town decorated with 100 yellow ribbons and a banner to honor the three Canton military personnel who are in Iraq. Donations toward this project may be turned in to the town office.

The board also approved putting an old brick building at the corner of Routes 140 and 108 out to bid. There is interest in the building for adding to the downtown shopping area, according to Kilbreth.