PERU — Selectmen were notified Wednesday that the town has received a $10,000 grant from the Marshall L. and Ruth-Anne Gibson Municipal Charitable Program to support a community center at the former elementary school.

Marshall “Jack” Gibson, who operated Commercial Paving and Recycling Group of Scarborough for 59 years, created the trust to help municipalities he worked in during that time.

The five-year grant program began this summer. Twelve towns will be selected each year to receive one-time grants of $10,000. That adds up to 60 municipalities and a total of $600,000 over the five years.

Gibson said it was his way of giving back, and he wanted to see the funds used to help build positive community-based projects.

Nick Waugh said he was thrilled about the news and thinks the town now has a responsibility to do something positive for the town and for Gibson’s vision.

The school building had been used by various community programs since it was closed. They include Girl Scouts, ATV clubs, hunter safety courses and Civil Air Patrol.

Waugh said he is excited to start work on planning for the future of the building. A meeting of Friends of Peru Elementary School has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, at the town office.