RUMFORD – Selectmen on Thursday approved buying plaques for downtown buildings that are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Selectman Jolene Lovejoy said at least two of the five buildings already have plaques designating them as having historical significance. The five buildings affected are the Greater Rumford Community Center, the Tri-County Mental Health building, the Municipal Building, Hotel Harris and the River Valley Technology center.

Estimated cost for the plaques is $125 to $150 each.

For the River Valley Expo held in September, the town, with the help of the Rumford Historical Society, created a video that focused on the historic architecture in the downtown area.

Businessman Lem Cissel also asked selectmen to consider creating a brochure that would describe each of the historical buildings. The brochure would then be placed at the information center or in stores. No action was taken on his request.

The board also agreed to allow a local church to use the Municipal Auditorium on Sunday mornings for $50 per use until the end of the year. Starting in January, the fee will return to $100 per use, which is the standard fee. The church has been renting the auditorium for about two years.

The church had asked for a reduction in rental cost. Lovejoy said the group has been a good tenant, always cleaning up after events. But she was concerned that lowering the usual fee would set a precedent for other groups or organizations that want to use the historic hall.

Further research into how the hall can be used in the evenings must be looked at because of restricted access to the Municipal Building now that the Police Department office closes at 7 p.m.

Also on Thursday, the board:

• awarded the contract for 700 copies of the town’s annual report to Park Street Press in South Paris at a cost of $3.99 each.

• learned that downtown merchants have been working on designs for signs that will direct traffic to the shopping area. Selectman Jim Rinaldo said replicas of the proposed signs will be on view at the Nov. 18 selectmen’s meeting.

• agreed to sponsor a ski pass for one child to Black Mountain of Maine at a cost of $170.

Moontide Water Festival Committee representative Eddie Shurtleff presented Town Manager Robert Welch with a money clip embossed with the Moontide logo in appreciation of his support of the committee’s efforts.

The board held an executive session to discuss a possible business venture.