RUMFORD — Selectmen voted 5-0 Thursday night to table a decision on whether to develop a mountain bike trail system.

Rather than put more than $14,000 into the project, the board decided that a committee should be assembled with mountain bike enthusiasts from River Valley towns to provide the board with more direction.

During the hearing, Jim Rinaldo, who initially proposed the project, spoke about trails in other towns that could benefit from linkage to Rumford’s project.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Greg Buccina said he wanted to “reach out to other groups that are already organized and participate in mountain biking.”

Town Manager Carlo Puiia suggested drafting a letter to other towns and schools and organizations, inviting them to a meeting to formalize a group.

Rinaldo suggested the board provide a small amount of money, such as $500, to the committee to formulate a plan for maintaining and marketing a mountain bike trail system by finding enthusiasts.

“It’s going to be driven by a lot of volunteer work,” Puiia said.

Rinaldo invited Steve Boulanger, the mountain bike park manager at Sunday River Ski Resort, to speak at the hearing.

Boulanger said Rumford taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for mountain bike trail maintenance if the system is built correctly.

Rinaldo said he and Boulanger will take the lead to develop a committee and find the people to staff it at a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 21, in the Municipal Building Conference Room.

“We just want to have our ducks in a row before we commit this kind of money or any money,” Buccina said.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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