SUMNER — Administrative Assistant Cynthia Norton reported to selectmen Tuesday night on training for Oxford County Emergency Management’s new emergency alerting system she attended earlier in the day.

Norton said county EMA Director Scott Parker said the land line database is in place and forms will be online in a week for people to register their cellphones, pagers and text messaging.

Their is no cost to the town until an emergency message is sent out and that would be 10 cents per number called, she said.

The system, called CityWatch, “is a full-featured, outbound and inbound notification system and service that enables you to quickly, accurately, and automatically send emergency and informational messages to literally thousands of contacts, via phone, text messaging, fax, pager, and e-mail, according to its website.

In other business before the board, Selectman Mark Silber said he is attending a meeting Thursday on how the town could best preserve its records. He said there were grants available for matching funds, but there was no money at this time.

Town Clerk Susan Runes said she would try to get a grant application submitted before the April 1 to pay for the work. She said the books that are used most often are in bad shape and something needs to be done to preserve them.

Board Chairman Mary Ann Haxton said she attended a meeting Monday on animal shelters Monday at the Norway Town Hall where it was announced that the Allen Hill Animal Shelter in Oxford is closed. She said Sumner could take dogs to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society shelter in Auburn.

Norton said she would call other shelters and check on availability. She will also be checking with Animal Control Officer Ozzie Hart on the situation.

Haxton said Responsible Pet Care in Norway would continue to take the cats.

Norton said she sent letters to three people who have property in tree growth status that is due for renewal this year. This has to be done every 10 years.  Norton said the forms must be submitted before the end of April.