CANTON — Selectmen will interview candidates for administrative assistant next week, while considering a recommendation to hire a professional recruiter for the process.

Chairman Brian Keene said at Thursday night’s board meeting that four people have applied for the position that was vacated last month by Scotty Kilbreth, who cited a “hostile work environment.”

“We have scheduled interviews for next week, so the process is moving forward on that,” Keene said.

Town Clerk Kathy Walker was temporarily appointed to the job and is one of the candidates.

Resident Phyllis Ouellette, who was not at the meeting on Thursday due to prior commitments, gave selectmen a letter asking them to consider using a professional recruiter to find qualified candidates. She said the board would receive more thorough information about the position’s salary. Also, with Walker being a candidate there could be a perception problem from the community because she is answering potential candidates’ initial questions over the office phone, Ouellette wrote.

Keene said selectmen would consider Ouellette’s recommendation, but since the interview process has begun selectmen will continue.

In other business, selectmen approved a townwide litter cleanup July 15 proposed by Selectman Carole Robbins.

“We have got trash and litter everywhere,” Robbins said.

Brian Jordan of the Canton Trail Riders told Robbins he would help and would try to get other club members, the Western Maine ATV Club and Brettuns Wheelers to participate.

“I volunteered them, so I’m hoping to get a bunch (of help),” Robbins said.

Selectmen approved an agreement with the town of Jay to grad ethe ends of Canton Mountain Road and the end of Alden Hill Road, Selectman Russell Adams said. Jay grades its section of the two roads and Canton will pay an hourly rate for grading done to the Canton ends.

Keene said a large pile of trash, including old furniture, was found on Meadowview Road last weekend. Public Works Department road foreman Paul McKenna found some identifying information in the trash and law enforcement has been called. A Buckfield resident’s name was found on some of the paperwork in the garbage pile, Keene said.

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Canton residents attend Thursday night’s selectmen meeting. (Marianne Hutchinson/Rumford Falls Times)

Canton selectmen, from left, Don Hutchins, Carole Robbins, Chairman Brian Keene, Russell Adams and Rob Walker share a laugh at Thursday night’s meeting. (Marianne Hutchinson/Rumford Falls Times)