Canaan Select Board: Approves MERP contract, grader repair bids and road agent job ad

Canaan Select Board · Meeting recap · meeting of Monday, September 14, 2026

The board met on September 14, 2026, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:17 P.M. Members voted on highway, solid waste, appointment and building-grant items, discussed a possible purchase of Ethan Allen Park, and held two executive sessions on personnel.

Decisions

• Approved the August 31, 2026, minutes as written.
• Voted to obtain bids and proceed with CAT on grader repairs in the most efficient and economical manner possible.
• Amended the Solid Waste Implementation Plan to hold household hazardous waste events on the first Saturday in June and the second Saturday in September, each lasting four to five hours. The plan will go to the State for approval.
• Appointed Zackery Wallace to the Recreation Park Commission for the term ending in March 2028.
• Approved the MERP project contract with Ruggco Inc., Construction Management Services. It was signed at the meeting.
• Approved the sale of a single lot in the new section of Alice Hunt Cemetery.
• Agreed to advertise the Zoning Administrator opening in the newspaper before making an appointment.
• Voted to advertise for a full-time Town road agent/foreperson at $24 to $28 per hour, with applications due by September 28, 2026.

Also discussed

• Highway: grant projects are mostly complete except hydroseeding. 1,000 yards of sand was delivered. The board asked for estimates on grader repairs, including hauling costs.
• Barrup Properties LLC reported its Canaan Hill Road driveway complete, and the highway department was asked to check the installation.
• A state inspection of the wastewater plant is scheduled for September 24, 2026.
• Fire districts: the board discussed who handles personnel matters for Town employees working for the fire districts. No formal change was adopted. Both districts are invited to the September 28, 2026, meeting.
• Household hazardous waste events had very low turnout.
• Ethan Allen Park: the Economic Development Committee recommended a $40,000 offer. The board discussed the need for a feasibility study first. No motion was made to submit an offer or purchase the property.
• MERP timeline: the project timeline was extended to July 1, 2027.
• The board noted five ethics complaints remain pending.
• The board declined, by consensus, to pay the library about $300 for outside tree and block removal.

Money

• The first Alice Ward Library carriage house bill was approximately $230,000.
• The cemetery lot price of $225 had been paid.
• Warrant 19-26 for $53,719.42 was presented for signing.

The board went into executive session twice for personnel matters, and no action was taken inside either session.

This is an automated summary of the town's posted minutes. The official record is the original document. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.