CANTON — Selectmen on Thursday disagreed on whether to charge groups for using the fire station meeting room.

Fire Chief and Selectman Shane Gallant argued that many groups are using the room and some leave a mess that firefighters have to clean up. He said they are reaching the point of needing to hire a janitor.

He also said it costs taxpayers to power and heat in the building.

“We need to charge the groups a fee for usage,” he said.

“The building belongs to the town and people are already taxpayers, and shouldn’t have to pay to use the room,” Selectman Lisa Cummings said.

She said she didn’t think the town ever charged groups using the old municipal building.

Selectman Brian Keene said he thought there had been charges listed in a policy on building use. He said he would check it and report at the next meeting.

Gallant said he agreed with Cummings but money for the extra use should not have to come out of his budget.

Cummings said they could put a line item in the next budget.

No consensus was reached by the board.

Diane Ray reported on the Girl Scout’s Community Garden. It produced between 1,200 and 1,400 pounds of produce, which was given to people in need and to various food pantries. She said they have plans to expand next year and hopefully put up a pavilion which will give shade for workers. She is also looking at a watering system for the garden.

The board voted to keep office hours at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

Administrative Assistant Scotty Kilbreth said and Deputy Clerk Kathy Walker will attend training next week.

The statewide referendum is Nov. 5 and polls will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Office.

Kilbreth reported that the Maine Department of Transportation will replace plantings that were destroyed when work was done on the north side of Whitney Brook.

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