FARMINGTON — So many people here want to give but what will help the town of Lac-Megantic, Quebec the most? 

That’s the question a local group intends to ask the mayor of Lac-Megantic, Colette Roy-Laroche, when they travel there for a brief meeting Wednesday, according to Ryan Morgan, chairman of the Farmington Board of Selectmen.

Residents of Lac-Megantic continue to recover from the deadly oil train derailment that killed as many as 50 people and destroyed at least 30 buildings downtown on July 6.

“We’ll offer our assistance and basically see what they need,” Morgan said.

He will be joined by state Sen. Tom Saviello, Scott Landry of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Stephen Philbrick of the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce, a French-speaking employee from Gov. LePage’s office and a private citizen.

“We’re going because they are our neighbors. One hundred miles in Maine is not a long way …  you just have to go through a border checkpoint,” Morgan said. He wants to revitalize the connection with the town’s sister city that started in 1991.

“They are still struggling but we need to make that first contact, see what we can do to help and then have a goal to work toward,” he said.

Landry also recognized the importance of going to Lac-Megantic. The chamber was instrumental in beginning the sister city relationship, he said.

People and groups here want to lend a hand. The library wants to collect books, the Rotary Club is considering a fundraiser, others want to collect clothes and furniture, he said.

Financial contributions are still being received through an account started by Farmington selectmen with a donation of $500.

The Lac-Megantic Relief Fund is set up at TD Bank in Farmington, Town Manager Richard Davis said last week. People can either mail checks to any branch or visit a branch, he said, so long as Lac-Megantic is on the check.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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