CANTON — Malcolm Ray of the Canton Dam Committee said Thursday that the town has received a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection to begin work on the dam as soon as the Kleinschmidt engineers submit their final plans.

Selectman Jackie Conant said Thursday night’s board meeting that the town is waiting for the bid specs to be sent by Kleinschmidt so it can advertise for contractors. She said she was hopeful the papers would arrive this week.

The dam will replace one the town took by eminent domain due to its deteriorated condition. It will be located on Whitney Brook, which is an outlet for Lake Anasagunticook.

Ray said he is hopeful that construction can begin in August. He said the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has its design ready and the boat ramp and the dam construction will all begin at the same time.

The cleanup at the old tannery site will also be part of the plan, Ray said. Selectmen are in charge of deciding what to do with the rest of the town land not needed for the dam and boat ramp. The town recently received a $200,000 EPA grant for the cleanup.

An article on the annual town warrant for Saturday will ask voters to allow an easement through town land and Canton Water District property for the boat ramp.

Leon Bucher from the Maine DIF&W has asked that the article be amended at the meeting to include the words “over and across town land” and to conclude the article with the words, “together with the right to improve the same and to construct facilities thereon for such public use.” The words “as the selectmen deem advisable” would be removed from the end of the article.

In other news, Tom Adley reported that Justin Bissell had made benches along the Whitney Brook Trail as part of his work on an Eagle Scout badge. He is also building a kiosk along the trail. Adley also reported that the Parks and Recreation recently sold $1,200 worth of plants at its sale.

Gilbert Armstrong of 33 Virgin St. attended the meeting to request work on his road so water will not flow under his garage.

Selectman Shane Gallant said he had seen the problem and he will have road foreman Don Cummings do some ditching to correct the problem.

Administrative Assistant Kathy Hutchins announced that the Canton Relay for Life raised the most money in River Valley. The 13-member team brought in $7,700.