RUMFORD — The Board of Selectmen Thursday approved presenting three straw poll questions to voters at the annual town meeting on June 14.
Two of the non-binding referendum questions involve the Rumford Parks Department.
The first question asks voters to consider replacing the 35-year-old running track at Hosmer Field.
The second question asks voters if they support replacement of the lighting around the track and football field with more-efficient LED lighting.
Rumford Parks Superintendent Mike Mills estimated the cost of replacing the track to be between $110,000 to $195,000, with the cost of replacing the lights between $170,000 to $210,000.
He said the track, which has not been resurfaced since it was finished in 1980, is no longer hosting high school track meets due to the disintegration of the surface.
Mills said the lights went out three times last fall at different games.
Selectmen suggested that if voters support replacing the track and lights, fundraising events will likely need to be held to help raise enough money for the projects.
“These are expensive,” Mills said. “I did talk to the school about it and they’re not willing to help us because they don’t have the money. That’s why the (Parks) board and myself came to a decision to see if the taxpayers of Rumford wanted to do this. If they don’t, I don’t have a problem with it. We’ll just go back and play football on Saturday and fix the track up so people can walk on it.”
The third straw poll question asks voters if they support having restored public access to the areas surrounding Rumford Falls with the intent of creating a public recreational trail system.
Several citizen organizations and local business leaders are working toward the creation of a public recreational trail system in the areas surrounding Rumford Falls. This will require working with the current property owner, Brookfield Renewable Energy, to restore public access to these areas. All involved in this effort wish to know if Rumford voters support this action.
In other business, a parade permit for the sixth annual River Valley Healthy Communities 5K Heart Run/Walk was approved.
The River Valley Healthy Communities 5K takes place Sunday, May 15. It begins and ends at the River Valley Healthy Communities office at 94 River St.
Proceeds benefit the Gardeners Growing Healthy Communities’ Tuesday Night Garden, which is attempting to fund operating and maintenance costs, such as seeds, fertilizer and irrigation repairs.
According to its website, the Gardeners Growing Healthy Communities is a nonprofit organization that “creates and maintains gardens to provide free, locally grown food and deliver health education and economic benefits to residents of Oxford County.”
Following a public hearing for the budget and annual town warrant, selectmen approved the annual town warrant at the regular meeting.
The warrant is available for viewing online at rumfordme.org. Copies are also available at the Town Hall in the town clerk’s office.
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