RUMFORD - Selectmen cut about $40,000 from social service and special project requests from the proposed fiscal 2009 budget Thursday night.

More than $250,000 must be cut so people won't have to vote for a tax cap override during the June town meeting and referendum.

Getting hit the hardest were Black Mountain of Maine and the Greater Rumford Community Center.

Although many of the requests took a 20 percent reduction, those two organizations were cut only 10 percent, but those dollars could make a major difference in services because they had asked for the most money.

Black Mountain got $70,000 last year, down from $100,000 the year before. Selectmen recommended $63,000 from the town for 2008-2009.

The Greater Rumford Community Center appropriation was cut to $85,500, down from $95,000 last year, and $117,000 the year before.

Selectman Frank DiConzo motioned that the two recreational organizations be cut by 50 percent. He suggested that fundraising make up the difference.

"We'd have to close our doors," said Bob Anderson, director of the community center. "We're at a bare minimum now."

Roger Arsenault, chairman of Black Mountain's board, said a 20 percent cut to the ski area would cripple it.

Selectman Greg Buccina said the two organizations provide services to area children and adults, and also bring funds into the town. He did not want to see a 20 percent cut made to either.

Among organizations that were funded at 20 percent less than the year before was the River Valley Growth Council, which was recommended to receive $8,000, down from $10,000 last year, and $16,000 the year before.

Receiving no funding was a request by the Moontide Water Festival Committee for $25,000 that would be used for fireworks during July 2009. This was the first year the committee had asked to be included in the municipal budget. In previous years, a portion of the town's cable television franchise fees were used for the July Fourth celebration.

Committee organizer Eddie Shurtleff said he wanted the town to provide about $10,000 in funds from cable television fees so he could then raise the rest of the necessary money from businesses and individuals. But selectmen had already denied that request because they believed the funds could be better used this year.

Any request that received a monetary recommendation from selectmen could see that number changed when the budget goes before the Finance Committee next month. When residents vote, they will choose between the selectmen's recommendation and the Finance Committee's. If selectmen did not recommend any money, that request will not be presented to the Finance Committee, and residents will be unable to vote on it.