Planning continues on the future of the Alna town office, and now a third scenario has been added to the mix, First Selectman David Abbott said.

Resident Terry Ross on Jan. 3 suggested the town consider putting up a new building, Abbott said. The idea presents a number of questions, from where the building would go, to what it would cost, he said. A new building would need a vault for archives, as the current one has, he added.

The board plans to relay Ross’ proposal to the design firm reviewing two other ideas, either to keep the office in the cape and make improvements that would include a larger meeting room, or move the office into the fire station across the road. So now Lincoln/Haney Engineering Associates will be reporting back with recommendations after reviewing three ideas, not two, Abbott said.

He was not sure if the expanded review will add much time to the firm’s work, funded by a grant from the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission. Town meeting is in March, and Abbott said the annual one is the only one where he would want town office plans to be decided. A special town meeting doesn’t draw as many voters, he said. “Something this big is going to impact the town financially, and we’re going to want to have as much of the town (voting on it) as we can.”

Even when there were just two ideas for a town office, it was not known if a question would be ready in time, so if it isn’t, that would not necessarily be due to the addition of a third idea, Abbott said.

He said the board on Jan. 3 also talked more about the Head Tide Dam Committee’s proposed changes to the town-owned dam. Selectmen are seeking a legal opinion on whether or not the design for an abutment replacement meets a covenant that came with the dam. The covenant calls for the dam to never be destroyed. If the opinion doesn’t come in time, the board will not take a proposal to this year’s town meeting, Abbott said.

The dam project, too, would be a question he would not want to take to a special town meeting, he said. An Atlantic Salmon Federation official has said a project would cost the town nothing. However, Abbott cited a range of views among townspeople, from some who don’t want the dam touched, to others who would like to take it out. So the annual town meeting would be the best reflection of the town’s wishes, he said. “That’s as fair a representation as you’re going to get.”

Negotiations continue on a cable franchise deal with Charter Communications. Abbott said the town’s negotiator, Mike Edgecomb, formerly of Time-Warner, is now suggesting the town pursue a grant from the ConnectME Authority to expand high speed internet access. One area being considered is a stretch of Route 194 near the post office, Abbott said.

The board reached no decision on whether to seek a grant, Abbott said. in 2012, the town won a $122,000 ConnectME grant for high speed internet access on Cross, West Alna and Lothrop roads.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Jan. 18 at the town office.