RUMFORD — Selectmen in Mexico and Rumford on Monday approved a new, one-year contract to share Town Manager John Madigan.
The decision followed an executive session at the Rumford board’s meeting, Executive Secretary Terri Palmer said Tuesday at the Town Office. Palmer said selectmen didn’t include a salary in their motion.
In December 2013, selectmen in both towns voted to share Madigan for the next six months. At that point, Madigan, formerly Rumford’s manager, had been Mexico’s town manager for nine years.
The search for a town manager for Rumford began Sept. 19, 2013, after Carlo Puiia submitted his resignation, citing personal reasons. He agreed to stay until selectmen hired a new manager or until the end of the business day Dec. 20, whichever came first.
In other business, Rumford selectmen also set a vote on a proposed General Assistance budget Tuesday, July 22.
By a tally of 773-700, voters at the town meeting referendum June 10 defeated the board’s initial General Assistance proposal of $93,406. It was the only municipal budget article that failed to pass.
On June 19, selectmen unanimously approved a new budget of $65,000, although Selectman Jeff Sterling said by email on June 24 that he didn’t support it but went along with the board’s vote.
“I made a motion to fund it fully (at) $120,000,” Sterling wrote. “It was voted down. The only reason I voted in the affirmative on the second motion was to make it unanimous on the ballot.”
Palmer said the General Assistance budget is the only article that can go before voters via voting at the polls. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Municipal Building.
There are two other land-related articles that must also go before residents for approval, but those must be done at a special town meeting, Palmer said. Selectmen are likely to address that at the board’s next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, in Rumford Falls Auditorium.
At Monday night’s meeting, selectmen also agreed to give 48 hours notice of special board meetings via the town website, at the Town Office, via Rumford’s electronic sign at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Route 2 (Hancock Street) beside the Armory, and through local media.
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