CANTON — Selectmen said they were pleased Monday with the large turnout of prospective dam contractors who walked the site on Wednesday.

This informational meeting with Dam Advisory Committee Chairman Mac Ray was an opportunity for contractors to ask questions after walking the site and gather information for preparing their bids, which will be due at 5 p.m. July 27.

The selectmen and the Dam Advisory Committee will meet together at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1, to award the bid for the construction of the Whitney Brook dam, which is at the outlet of Lake Anasagunticook.

The board and committee will be looking not only at price but contractor reputation and timing of the beginning of construction, according to minutes of the June 27 Advisory Committee.

Selectman Jackie Conant said that the Committee hopes to have a ground-breaking ceremony sometime after the contract is awarded. This would be an opportunity to recognize the efforts of those involved.

In other news, the selectmen set the new sewer rate increase at 20 percent. Administrative Assistant Kathy Hutchins said the increase reflects the higher costs for required water tests and operations. Hutchins said this is the first rate increase since 2005.

The board recognized the efforts of Tom Adley in beautifying the area around the town office and the Memorial at Routes 140 and 108.

Selectman Shane Gallant, who is also the fire chief, said he has met with the Oxford County Emergency Management Agency on creating a plan in case of a dam disaster.


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