RUMFORD — Selectmen have a full slate of issues to discuss including whether to buy a new truck at their meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in Rumford Falls Auditorium.

Under old business, the board is expected to OK the Hosmer Field usage contract between the Park and Recreation Department and Western Foothills Regional School Unit 10, and the General Assistance annual policy.

New business items include approvals sought for:

* The town audit and recommendations by the town auditor.

* Either a 1/2-ton or 3/4-ton pickup truck for Public Works.

* The bid to buy and install about 500 feet of guardrail along the Isthmus Road.

* The feasibility study for the viability of bidding for a brand-name hotel.

* The Texas Hold 'Em tournament for the Rumford Area Rotary Club.

* A parade permit for the annual Greater Rumford Community Center Halloween Parade.

* Starting the winter parking ban on arrival of the first snowstorm.

At the board's Oct. 7 meeting, Public Works Director Andy Russell sought permission to seek bids for a new department pickup truck. He said the old truck needs about $2,000 worth of work and his search for a used truck wasn't successful.

When Russell asked to replace the two-wheel-drive, half-ton truck with a ¾-ton, four-wheel-drive truck, Selectman Jeremy Volkernick said he would support that and urged fellow board members to follow suit.

However, Selectmen Mark Belanger and Greg Buccina thought it would be best to seek bids on a half-ton, two-wheel-drive truck.

After much discussion that ended with Belanger and Selectman Jeff Sterling instead wanting to simply repair the old truck, Volkernick motioned directing Russell to seek bids for both types of trucks. It was OK'd by a 3-2 vote, with Belanger and Sterling dissenting.

The board will also be asked for a donation from the town for the Praise Assembly of God Food Pantry in Rumford, and learn from police Chief Stacy Carter about his appointment of a police officer to replace one who recently resigned to take a job elsewhere.

Two executive sessions are also scheduled, the first about an economic development matter with Town Manager Carlo Puiia, and the second for legal consultation with Puiia and town attorney Thomas Carey.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com