RUMFORD - Faced with a choice between three names to christen the municipal building auditorium for upcoming entertainment, selectmen took the easy way out and agreed to put it before voters in November.

At Thursday night's meeting, Town Manager Carlo Puiia read the three names submitted by residents at a previous board meeting. The names are: The Clock Tower Auditorium, The Rumford Falls Auditorium, and Chisholm Memorial Auditorium.

At a previous board meeting, Performing Arts Committee member Jim Rinaldo asked selectmen to come up with a name for the auditorium for functions rather than just say it's in the town hall auditorium.

Selectman Greg Buccina then motioned to name the spacious theater Clock Tower Auditorium. During discussion, Puiia read Carolynne R. Nash's reasoning behind choosing that name.

She said the clock tower is a significant focal point for Rumford, it can be viewed from every approach to the Rumford island, it is on many signs, and it is brightly lit and can easily be found.

Additionally, she said, it can easily be found by performers and patrons, it has a special meaning to townspeople and it will acquire a special meaning to all who come here.

Acting Selectman Chairman Frank DiConzo wanted to name it something else.

"I like Clock Tower, but we've put money into this (auditorium), so I can't see anything wrong with calling it the Rumford Municipal Auditorium," DiConzo said.

"That name's not on here, Frank," Buccina said of the three choices.

"You don't have to accept any," Puiia said.

"So, it will be the CTA?" Selectman Mark Belanger asked.

"I don't disagree with Frank, but it's a little bit different and it does signify where the auditorium is," Buccina said. "And the clock would be easy to identify."

DiConzo then asked the audience of about 50 people which name sounded better, including his suggestion of Rumford Municipal Auditorium in the mix.

Angie Arsenault of Rumford said all four names sounded good.

"However, we are a small town and nobody is ever going to get lost here," she said. "For myself, I agree with Frank."

None of this sat well with Rinaldo, who said, "To present the name tonight isn't fair to people who spent the time to submit their name."

One lady then stood and suggested putting the three initial names — excluding DiConzo's suggestion — to vote on the November ballot.

The board agreed to do so after Buccina rescinded his motion to name the auditorium Clock Tower Auditorium.

"This may be the coward's way out, but I think it's fair," Cameron said.

In other business, after much discussion about videotaping board meetings, selectmen asked Puiia to find someone to serve as an alternate videotape camera operator when the Public Access Channel camera person wasn't available.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com