RUMFORD — Selectmen have nearly as much old as new business to discuss at their 7 p.m. meeting Thursday, Feb. 20, in Rumford Falls Auditorium.
Old business includes discussions on the town manager copier bid, with the Parks Commission to replace a one-ton truck and a dump deckover trailer, and paving sidewalks and planting trees on Congress Street.
At the Feb. 6 meeting, selectmen tabled action on the Parks and Recreation Commission’s request to replace the one-ton truck with a three-quarter-ton truck following a discussion with commission Chairman Dan Richard.
Richard said he was appealing the board’s action in November to have Parks and Recreation Director Mike Mills get quotes to repair the truck.
Richard said the department has the money in its capital budget to buy a new truck and should be doing that rather than trying to repair a nearly 14-year-old truck.
He said repairs would total between $5,500 to $6,500, but the trade-in value of the truck is only $4,500.
Richard told selectmen that in Nov. 2013, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved a bid for $25,388 for a new truck with plow and the old truck as a trade-in at $4,500. The dump trailer bid was for $7,031.
Selectmen Chairman Greg Buccina told Richard that selectmen previously approved repairing the truck, not replacing it. But due to confusion on the board’s part about its actions, however, the matter was tabled to give Madigan time to determine what actually transpired.
Also at the Feb. 6 meeting, Selectman Frank DiConzo suggested that rather than buy a new truck for the Parks Department, they should use Public Works Department equipment.
Additionally, DiConzo requested that the board discuss at its next meeting the offer by the Class of 1978 to replace trees on Congress Street, and replacing concrete sidewalks with asphalt.
Under new business is discussion on filling a vacancy at the Police Department and formation of consolidation study groups. The board also was asked to approve personnel policy amendments and to support a new FM radio station.
Additionally, Hotel Rumford seeks approval of a liquor license and special amusement permit, and there are appointments to be made to boards and committees.
An executive session is also on tap to discuss an economic development matter.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
