CANTON — Selectmen on Thursday approved a request from Dam Replacement Committee Chairman Malcolm Ray to advertise for an archaeologist to survey the proposed dam site.

Ray said the committee needs two surveys: The site must be surveyed for prehistoric artifacts and for anything historic from the 1800s to the present.

The Community Development Block Grant for rebuilding the dam on Whitney Brook, an outlet of Lake Anasagunticook, is federal money that is managed by the state, and the surveys are required.

Ray recommended placing an ad for an archaeologist immediately. Though the money could be reimbursed from the grant after the project gets clearance, Ray suggested asking the Lake Association to fund the surveys up-front.

The town has applied for a federal Environmental Protection Agency grant to pay for hazardous waste and pollution tests that have already been run on the site of the proposed dam and adjoining property.

Covering the area where some contaminants were found will be costly and funds are needed. Selectman Donald Hutchins said the town will either cover the area with 8 inches of good soil or pave over it.

In other news, Road Commissioner Randy Scrivner said he planned to paint the crosswalk from the Victorian Villa nursing home to Canton Heritage Park at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, weather permitting.

A resident questioned whether the town had acted properly by letting ditching material be taken out of town. Hutchins said he gave Scrivner permission to dump the material at the closest place to the ditching site so town trucks would not have to travel so far.

Selectman Jackie Conant said the board has signed five or six foreclosure contracts with owners who need more time. Hutchins said selectmen want to work with people to give them a chance to keep their homes.

Conant announced an Oxford County candidates’ night at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at the Hartford Town Hall.

The town is still seeking bids for snowplowing.