RUMFORD – A new building may be constructed at the former site of Wardwell’s at the corner of Congress and Exchange streets.

Selectmen on Thursday granted a driveway entrance permit from Exchange Street into the now-vacant lot to an unnamed person. Town Manager Robert Welch declined to provide many details about the planned business except to say the business won’t be retail.

The Wardwell building sustained serious damage from a fire nearly 18 months ago. Owners subsequently razed it.

Selectmen also referred a question as to when and who may call for use of the Rumford Fire Department’s extrication tool, the “Jaws of Life,” to Welch and Fire Chief John Woulfe.

Firefighter Scott Holmes said the tool is part of the mutual aid agreement honored by several area towns. It is also used by towns occasionally that are not part of Rumford’s mutual aid agreement.

“Firefighters’ help from other towns far outweighs the number of times the extrication tool goes out,” he said. “When ours broke down and we had no mutual aid agreement, they covered for us.”

Woulfe said the tool was called out 11 times this year, and needed six times.

“It is not being abused,” he said.

Selectman Eugene Boivin questioned the cost to the town of Rumford and who has the authority to call for use of the tool.

The board will take up the matter again once Woulfe and Welch work out a recommendation.

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