RUMFORD – Five residents are vying for two seats on the Board of Selectmen.

Seeking a three-year term during the June 8 election are incumbents J. Eugene Boivin, 65, of Walnut Street and Jolene S. Lovejoy, 61, of Porter Avenue; as well as Robert J. Grinnell, 56, Erchles Street; Arthur M. MacIsaac, 29, Isthmus Road; and James E. Rinaldo, Route 108.

Boivin, a retired Rumford Fire Chief and former SAD 43 school board member and chairman is seeking a third term.

He advocates construction of a new fire station.

“Thirty years ago I said the town should look into building a new fire station. For modern equipment, we need a bigger building and it’s dangerous where the station is now. It was built in 1923 to accommodate horses. The last four trucks have had to be specially made,” he said.

Whether the town needs a $1.9 million station is a question, he noted, although he said there is never a good time to make a large capital expenditure.

He also sees Rumford becoming a much more positive area. He said people are moving in and many are improving their property. He wants the town to continue working toward greater economic growth through participation in the River Valley Growth Council and River Valley Technology Center, as well as with the town’s new industrial park.

“I think we are moving forward. I’ve always had the interest of this town at heart,” he said.

Boivin, a Stephens High School graduate, is a member of the Oxford County Association for Retarded Citizens, the Oxford County Budget Committee, and the RVTC and RVGC boards.

Grinnell, an Oxford County deputy sheriff and district court bail commissioner, is making a first run for elective office. He wants to see more people become involved in the political process.

“We’re pretty stagnant now and Mexico is growing. People say they are disappointed with how the town meetings go and that’s why they don’t go,” he said.

On the fire station issue, he thinks the town ought to look into other options by forming a committee. One option, he believes, might be joining with other towns and combining fire departments.

A regional fire department could also include other agencies, such as a consolidated police department, he said.

“If we’re going to make a move like that (building a new station), I believe that would be more practical. Places already have substations,” he said.

He also wants to look into applying for grants that could fund a new fire station or combined emergency services building.

“I’m walking, not running for selectman because I am paying attention to everything around me,” he said.

Grinnell is a volunteer driver for Community Concepts and volunteers with the emergency shelter in Strathglass Park.

He is originally from Rhode Island and has lived in Rumford for 25 years.

Lovejoy, a community activist and retired office manager, is making a run for a fourth, three-year term.

She is active in numerous community and municipal organizations including a seat on Black Mountain of Maine’s Board of Directors and president of the Maine Municipal Association, including three years on the MMA’s executive board. She served nine years on the SAD 43 school board.

Although she believes the town needs a new fire station, she believes this is not the time.

“I don’t believe the town can take on the added expense with all the property tax possibilities and uncertainties,” she said. “After these things are answered, then we could have a special town meeting to decide the issue on its own merit. I do support it, but not right now.”

She wants to continue her involvement in the town’s now developing industrial park, which she said is almost a continuation of the soon-to-open River Valley Technology Center.

“I think we are seeing a turn-around in Rumford. Spring is in the air and opportunity is everywhere,” she said.

Lovejoy grew up in Mexico, and graduated from high school in California and attended Long Beach College before returning to Rumford 20 years ago.

MacIsaac operates a property management company, and is making a first bid for elective office. He grew up in Mexico, graduated from Mountain Valley High School, and has lived in Rumford for five years.

He opposes construction of a new fire station at this time, although he said perhaps the matter should be reopened in a year or two. He objects to the costs, particularly with the various property tax measures now facing Maine residents.

He doesn’t want the town to lose its identity, but he believes a long-term project could involve merging area departments.

MacIsaac supports the River Valley Growth Council and its efforts to bring more business to Rumford.

“Our manufacturing jobs have gone and we need to take a different approach,” he said.

MacIsaac is a member of the Rumford Parks Commission and Snowshoe Club. He also does volunteer beautification work around town.

“I feel I have a different approach, I’m younger, and could go with an open mind. I believe I am able to talk with people and understand their needs,” he said, adding that he senses a number of positive things happening in town.

“I want to continue that,” he said. “I want people to take part in the process, to vote, and to make the community better.”

Rinaldo, a MeadWestvaco employee, is a former selectman and former member of the Rumford School Board prior to its merger with SAD 43.

Although he said he doesn’t oppose building a new fire station, he said he objected to how the article got on the town meeting agenda. He said only three selectmen were present when the matter was voted on. He also disagrees with the potential site for building it.

“It’s in the mostly densely populated area of town. We may have to take down houses or widen the street,” he said of the Rumford Avenue site located along the banks of the Androscoggin River.

Rinaldo also succeeded in getting a bylaw change onto the town meeting warrant calling for referendum votes on any article exceeding $150,000.

“Not many people come to town meeting. It’s easy to have something passed,” he said.

Rinaldo, a lifelong resident of Rumford, advocates working toward improving the downtown area and looking for ways to develop Route 2.

He’s not convinced that the new industrial park is a good thing.

“People don’t do that anymore,” he said.

The town should look for business niches that need to be filled, such as factory outlet stores, a movie theater or specialty shops. The area is beautiful, he said. Tourism should be promoted.

Rinaldo is a member of the Sons of Italy and the Eagles.

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