MADISON — A special town meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m., at Madison's Junior High School cafeteria to approve the $10,000 planning grant from Maine's Department of Economic and Community Development and an interlocal agreement with Skowhegan and Anson to manage cable-access Channel 11.

A quorum of 50 residents is required to vote on the measures.

The vote will follow an open house reception to introduce residents to the town's new Economic Development Director, Joy Hikel. This will be a chance for community members and local business owners to meet Hikel and share ideas about development needs in the community.

The event begins at 6 p.m. in the junior high school cafeteria.

Refreshments will be provided by Dunkin' Donuts. Colleen and Ed Bailey, who will be opening a Madison franchise of the popular eatery in early December, will also be on hand to introduce themselves to local residents.

The grant will be used to evaluate redevelopment options for the Anson Stick Co. building on lower Main Street that burned in July of 2007. The town is hoping to turn the site into a usable property that can contribute to the downtown revitalization efforts.

"We're confident that the town will approve receipt of these funds and allow us to move this project forward," noted Hikel. "Our downtown area will benefit from a profitable anchor business located on the banks of the Kennebec."

The planning grant will allow the town to work closely with the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments and other professional land-use planners to study and determine what, if any, remediation of the former industrial site is needed and what commercial enterprises would suit that particular location.

Madison Junior High School is located at 205 Main Street. The cafeteria is on the second floor. Handicapped access is available. All Madison residents are invited and encouraged to attend.