CANTON — Fire Chief Shane Gallant updated selectmen Thursday night about the lack of manpower to answer weekday calls, an issue discussed at a meeting of fire departments Wednesday night in Buckfield.

Gallant said Buckfield, Canton and Sumner have provided mutual aid in the past, but only one town is normally toned out on each fire call. He said those at the meeting considered having one overall fire chief for the three towns with all sharing the costs, but it was not endorsed by representatives from the three towns.

Gallant said he suggested having all three towns toned whenever a call is made and if some responders are not needed, they could be told to turn back.

It was noted that it’s not the weekends when there’s a shortage of manpower, but during the week. Gallant said there were at least two times last year when there were automobile accidents and no one from the town toned was available. The consensus was that if three towns are toned, someone surely would show up.

The board endorsed the suggestion to have the three towns toned on weekday calls.

Gallant also informed the board that a potluck dinner honoring longtime Fire Chief Wayne Dube, who recently retired, was planned for 5 p.m. Saturday at the new fire station. Gallant said people could call Mike Maxwell at 461-3253 for more information.

In other news, Jason Olsen from the Canton Hi-Riders Snowmobile Club inquired why the club was being asked to fill an oil tank in addition to its $500 donation it gives to the town each year for use of the Municipal Building and the old fire station bays.

Selectman Donald Hutchins said the town wanted to put in another tank so the buildings can have two zones. Gallant said they had run out of oil three times last year using just the one tank. Heat is needed for use of the building and to keep pipes from freezing.

Gallant said the Fire Department needs one bay to fill up its tanker in winter as the new fire station is on well water and can’t provide the volume to fill up the tanker.

Snowmobile sleds are stored in the old station and Gallant said they only need to be able to move the sleds in case they need water in the winter.

Hutchins said he would like to monitor use of fuel before suggesting to the board what it should charge the club. In addition to the snowmobile club, the building is used by the ATV club, the 4-H, Relay for Life and the Recreational Club.

The snowmobile club also keeps the trails clear and is planning to put a bridge across Whitney Brook, which townspeople could use to access the town businesses.

The board was informed that state police had been in the office Thursday to report vandalism at the Meadow View Cemetery.

Board Chairman Scotty Kilbreth announced there was a meeting with a representative from John E. O’Donnell & Associates of New Gloucester concerning citizen complaints about unfair property valuations. There will be a public meeting with the company at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Town Office for people to voice concerns.