RUMFORD – Bill Weston, a longtime volunteer and member of the Rumford Historical Society, was named Citizen of the Year at Thursday night’s selectmen’s meeting.

Jim Thibodeau, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said Weston never changes pace or demeanor, but goes about his volunteer work in an unassuming manner.

“I’ve known him for 40 years. He is certainly an asset to the historical society and to the town of Rumford,” Thibodeau said.

Besides serving on the historical society for many years, Weston, who is retired from the local paper mill, is a former Planning Board member.

He has volunteered for the Fire Station Task Force, worked to restore the Rumford Center Meeting House, and was an early participant in the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine. Weston said he was honored and pleased to receive the designation.

“It’s been fun and time well- spent,” he said.

He received a plaque. His name will also be added to the wood and bronze plaque on display in the Municipal Building naming him Citizen of the Year.

In other matters, the board agreed to ban parking on a portion of Holyoke Street so emergency vehicles and plows in winter can get through.

They also voted to donate $100 to the Rumford/Mexico Historical Societies’ Education Committee, which is planning the first Rumford Center Country Fair on July 31.

Thibodeau said money raised from event will help fund a scholarship for a Mountain Valley High School student.

Also on Thursday, selectmen:

• Agreed to add to the board’s next meeting agenda a request for designating two or three handicapped parking spaces on Plymouth Street, near the First Baptist Church, as requested by church deacon Ted Delano.

• Agreed to look into cooperative purchases of fuel after a request by former selectman Eugene Boivin, who said Mexico and SAD 43 have made an agreement that could save up to 25 cents a gallon.

• Agreed to look into laws that may govern leaving animals in cars during hot weather.

• Awarded contracts for the purchase of two dump truck/plows to CB International of Bangor at costs of $97,932 and $128,188.

• Accepted with regret the resignation of Boivin from the River Valley Growth Council and the River Valley Technology Center.