A proposed article calls for up to $1.9M to construct a modern fire station.
RUMFORD – By the narrowest of votes, selectmen sparked life back into a plan to replace the downtown fire station.
On a motion by Selectman Eugene Boivin, the board voted 2-1 to place an article on the annual town meeting warrant asking for up to $1.9 million to construct a modern fire station to replace the circa 1925 downtown brick structure.
Boivin, a former fire chief, and Selectman Bob Bradley voted in favor of placing the question before voters. Board Chairman Jim Thibodeau voted against the plan. Selectmen Jolene Lovejoy and Jim Peterson were absent.
“At least 25 years ago I knew we needed a new fire station,” said Boivin, who said the funding amount could be bonded over 20 years.
Thibodeau said he hadn’t seen the plans for a new station and was hesitant to ask for that amount of money without knowing if it could be built for less. He also said he was uncomfortable acting on the motion with only a partial board in attendance.
Town Manager Robert Welch said he didn’t feel this was the time for presenting the issue before voters because of the current statewide tax reform proposals now in debate.
“There’s never a good time,” said Boivin. “I’ve listened for 15 years (to plans for a new station). I’m tired of it.”
The article, along with others approved by selectmen earlier in the meeting, will now go before the town’s Finance Committee for review in April. Even if the Finance Committee recommends against the bond question, it will still appear on the June town meeting warrant.
However, said Welch, two-thirds of those attending the town meeting would have to approve raising the funds.
In the meantime, town officials will look into finding a way to acquire land on which to place a new building, if voters approve the measure. A possible location, now used by the town as a snow dump located next to the Androscoggin River off Rumford Avenue, has been tentatively identified as a potential site.
That land is owned by MeadWestvaco. The town is considering a land swap with the paper company that would work out so the fire station could be built there. That deal, however, is far from certain.
The Rumford Fire Department has been working with consultants over the past two years who had recommended construction of a modern facility that would better accommodate larger firefighting apparatus and provide space for firefighter training.
Chief John Woulfe said last week that he thought it best to defer asking for voter approval to build a new station until the tax reform climate improved.
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