RUMFORD – Selectmen will decide whether to take a stand on the Palesky tax-cap proposal at their next meeting in October.

But first, they want to weigh the data on both sides of the controversial issue.

Town Manager Robert Welch said Thursday that his calculations showed a potential 43.3 percent decrease in municipal funds raised through property tax collection if the tax rate is capped at $10 per $1,000 valuation.

“Yes, we are being taxed to death, but (with this) there would have to be a whole new way of doing things,” he said, adding that Rumford would lose about $6 million if the proposal passes during the statewide November general election.

Roxbury resident Robert Worthley presented information from Tax Cap Now, an organization that supports the proposed tax cap.

“Thirty-seven states have some sort of tax cap, although not as severe as this one. But they have all survived,” he said.

Board Chairman Jim Thibodeau agreed to make copies of Worthley’s information, along with data from the Maine Municipal Association and Welch, distribute it to the board, then bring the matter up for further discussion and possible action at the Oct. 7 meeting.

Selectman Jolene Lovejoy, a member of the MMA board, told selectmen that each town has a right to take a stand.

Selectman Jim Rinaldo suggested that if the proposal is voted down, towns and selectmen should go to their state representatives to pressure them to take action on property tax relief.

“This issue won’t die,” he said.

The board also approved going out to bid for a contractor who would complete construction of a temporary building that will house the Fire Department’s ladder truck.

Chief John Woulfe said the original idea, approved by selectmen a year ago, of a volunteer coordinator for the building’s construction, has not happened for a variety of reasons. The concrete pad has been poured on a portion of the municipal parking lot across River Street from the back of the fire station, but no other work has been done. Materials for its construction, however, have been purchased.

“We want to go out to bid, have the building erected, and get it over with,” he said.

The board originally approved $20,000 for the 16- by 50-foot temporary building. Woulfe said he believes sufficient money remains in the account to finish the work.