Selectmen want to streamline the way neglected animals are dealt with by the town’s ACO.
RUMFORD – Besides voting for municipal and school board candidates, and on the state referenda, Rumford residents will also make decisions on two by-law changes and cast a non-binding ballot on whether the town should develop a second skating rink.
Following hearings on ideas for changing the town’s bylaws in April, selectmen recommended that the procedure for seizing a neglected or abused animal be shortened, and that the $1 processing fee paid to register all terrain vehicles at the town office be turned over to the River Valley Riders ATV Club.
Town Manager Robert Welch said a change in the bylaw governing animal welfare would cut through some of the paperwork required for the animal control officer to take an abandoned animal.
Right now, the ACO must get a court order to seize the animal. He said the town has received an increase in the number of telephone calls from people reporting that pet owners have left dogs and cats in their homes when they have left for extended periods of time, or have moved out completely.
Approval of the bylaw amendment would reduce the time the ACO would need to take and care for the animal.
Selectmen also recommend giving the $1 per ATV registration to the local club. Welch said 331 ATVs were registered this year. The funds would be used to maintain ATV trails and shelters in the Rumford area.
A third question asks residents whether they want the town to begin plans for building a shelter and skating rink at the old ball field on Falmouth Street.
Welch said a rink was available for residents at the site until about 20 years ago when a new hockey rink was built at Hosmer Field.
The Parks Commission in March requested an initiated article for $55,000 to build a shelter and develop a new rink. However, the board decided to wait until they knew whether a second rink was wanted.
The straw vote cast on Tuesday will help selectmen decide whether to go ahead with construction plans.
Welch said residents will make the final decision on whether to raise the funds for the project at a future special town meeting or at next year’s annual town meeting.
eadams@sunjournal.com
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