RUMFORD – Selectmen have given the go ahead for voters to act on at least six proposed bylaw and town charter changes when they attend the annual town meeting on June 7.
The proposed changes range from requiring a referendum vote on initiated articles exceeding $150,000 to specifications for subdivisions and mobile home parks.
The request for a bylaw change that would require referendum action rather than a hand vote at town meeting for all initiated article requests exceeding $150,000 was triggered by this year’s town warrant article asking for $1.9 million for construction of a new fire station.
A candidate for a seat on the Board of Selectmen, Jim Rinaldo, who is also a former selectman, made the request last week because he believes more people should have a say in large financial outlays. He said far fewer people turn out for the annual town meeting than go to the polls to vote.
If voters approve the bylaw change, it would go into effect during the 2005 town meeting season.
Other changes include new standards for the size of mobile home park lots, setbacks, buffer strips, parking and road standards and other factors affecting such parks. The town also seeks to amend subdivision regulations to comply with mandated changes set down by the state’s subdivision law.
Because of the persistent failure of some cab companies to register with the town each year on time, according to Town Manager Robert Welch, selectmen agreed to ask voters to approve a $100 a day fine for each day a cab company operating in Rumford is not licensed. The penalty now is $25, a fine that applies to all violations of the town’s bylaws.
Pet owners will be subject to more stringent rules governing the care of their animals if a new dog ordinance, which itself is proposed to be renamed as an animal control ordinance, is approved by voters.
The proposed ordinance outlines specifications for the housing of animals and how animals can be hitched, and lists impoundment fees. Owners of dogs believed to be traditionally aggressive, according to the Homeowners Underwriting Guide, will also be required to be under the physical control of their owners at all times when they are in public. These breeds include pit bulls, Rottweilers, malamutes, chows and similar large or aggressive breeds.
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