CANTON — Selectmen were told Thursday night that the group formed to redevelop the old Canton Elementary School was never legal because its application for nonprofit status was never properly filed with the state.

The news raised the question of who owns the property because the town had given the Old Canton Schoolhouse Activities Group a quitclaim deed for it.

Colby Davis, who was a member of the group at one time, said the Secretary of State told him the news.

In late 2007 the town voted to turn the former school over to the group and provided the deed so members could apply for grants under nonprofit status. The group planned to add a library, art and photo gallery, children’s activity room, school museum, craft room and meeting rooms.

The building was being developed as a museum for the area and much work had been done to secure items for display. Davis said the items really should be in the Historical Society.

Board Chairman Scotty Kilbreth asked who owned the school.

Colby said he didn’t know.

Davis, who had been treasurer of the group, said he resigned when he saw it was falling apart and then found out it was an illegal group to start with.

He said the old school is an excellent place for groups to meet and should be an asset in the community. If there were 10 people who were interested in the future of the building as a nonprofit, they could organize and go about the procedure legally, he said.

Selectman Donald Hutchins said the Recreation Committee wanted to move the school playground equipment to the ball park area.

In other business Thursday, the contract for mowing town greens and cemeteries went to low bidder Three Seasons for $6,570. The board had to hold a revote to settle the tie because some selectmen felt the contract should go to Canton resident Mark Blanchette, even though his bid was nearly $2,000 more.

The board will hold a public hearing in May to discuss the possible 20 percent increase in sewer fees, due in part to expenses in taking cleaning rags out of the sewer lines.

Cleanup dates are June 4 and 8, but the board voted not to accept tires at the transfer station. Selectmen said people could take them to Jay for a fee.

The board voted to send letters to people who have driveways that cause gravel to go into town roads.

Selectman Shane Gallant, who is also the fire chief, reminded people that the area behind the fire station is not a dump. He said the state had been given permission to place brush behind the station.

The board approved revised town policies.