RUMFORD – Selectmen agreed Thursday to consider a request to require a referendum vote on any initiated article that exceeds an as-yet unspecified dollar amount.

The public discussion on the proposal is scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22, in the conference room of the Municipal Building.

Generally, all initiated articles are voted on at town meeting. Initiated articles are usually monetary requests from various social service agencies and for special projects. This year, one of the those requests is for $1.9 million for construction of a new fire station.

Jim Rinaldo, a MeadWestvaco employee who is running for selectman, asked that the town’s charter be changed to require a ballot vote. He suggested a minimum monetary amount of $100,000. However, board Chairman Jim Thibodeau said the dollar figure will likely be determined at next Thursday’s bylaws meeting.

Rinaldo, a former selectman and Rumford School Department school board member, said very few people turn out for the annual June town meetings, leaving significant financial decisions in the hands of a small minority of residents.

“There’s always a silent majority who don’t come,” he said.

With a referendum vote, he said a greater number of residents would make decisions in large financial matters.

He said tentative plans to build a new fire station is another example of a high-cost article that could be determined by very few people at town meeting.

Thibodeau said selectmen can submit one amendment per year to the town’s charter for consideration. Currently, the charter does not specify any minimum dollar amount that would trigger a referendum vote.

In other matters on Thursday, selectmen approved a request by Moontide Water Festival Committee Chairman Matt Plante to close portions of Congress, Exchange and River streets for the four-day event, beginning the evening of June 30 and running through July 4. They also approved closing a portion of Hartford Street and another section of River Street on July 4 so a car show can be held.

Also, selectmen:

• Approved two hawkers and peddlers licenses for Mike Philbrick, who wants to operate fried clam and fried chicken booths.

• Granted a liquor license to Fortune Island Restaurant on Congress Street.

• Approved a parade permit for the annual March of Dimes Walk America on April 25. The walk route includes roads and streets in both Rumford and Mexico.
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