RUMFORD – Selectman Jolene Lovejoy has followed the cooperative efforts the area school superintendents have been working toward.

Now, she’d like the town of Rumford to consider doing something similar with neighboring towns. A selectman from Dixfield is also interested in such a meeting, she said.

“The times are changing, there are different issues,” she said. “It would be nice to kick off the new year, to open up the door.”

She’s thinking perhaps discussions could be held on such things as mutual needs by the fire and police departments, as well as many others.

“I’d like something structured, with a facilitator and an agenda ahead of time,” she told the board Thursday night.

The rest of the board, however, isn’t sure such discussions are necessary.

“I wonder if we could accomplish just as much with less formality,” said Selectman Jim Peterson.

Selectman Jim Thibodeau wants input from other towns on what would be discussed before agreeing to sit down. He also said Rumford and neighboring Mexico and Dixfield already have mutual aid in some areas.

Selectman Eugene Boivin was open to discussing pooling fuel purchases for the three towns and several school districts, something he said could save money.

But whether the three boards will get together to discuss any issue was left uncertain following Thursday’s discussion.

The board voted to ask the town’s three town managers to get together first, to decide whether a joint meeting would be beneficial.

“We need to have input from the towns on what would be discussed. We need to let each other know what will be discussed. We don’t want to go into a meeting blind,” said Thibodeau.

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