RUMFORD – Selectmen began several steps Thursday that they hope will lead to greater economic development, including a discussion on zoning and opening bids for a downtown revitalization project.
When Selectman Jim Rinaldo said he’d received a request from a resident to discuss zoning, board Chairman Jim Thibodeau agreed.
“It would cause quite a discussion, and I think it would be a good thing in some respects. It looks like growth is coming,” he said.
Town Manager Steve Eldridge said on Friday that he plans to recommend forming a land-use ordinance committee, aided by Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, to look into the pros and cons of designated uses in specific areas of the town.
It would be for controlled growth, said Eldridge, an advocate of planning.
“We have to protect the community, residents and open space. If a business comes into town, we can tell them where they can be located. It’s much easier for businesses coming in,” he said.
On Thursday, selectmen began one part of that planning by opening bids from four planning consultants for the development of a revitalization plan.
At the next meeting, on May 5, the board plans to award the contract. Bid prices ranged from $23,000 to $26,000. Funding will come from the town’s economic development account.
Once awarded, the plan should take several months to develop. Then, said Eldridge, the town will seek grants to put some of the recommendations into action.
In the meantime, he said the town is applying for two grants related to the environment. One, for $90,000 under the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, would look at toxins and the disposal of household wastes, and a second is being sought from the Department of Conservation.
In related matters, selectmen approved spending up to $2,800 to place brass plaques on seven structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and agreed to go out to bid for painting of the Municipal Building clock tower and portions of the front and back of the building.
“Recognizing the architecture fits in with revitalization,” said Eldridge.
In another matter, the board delayed action on a request by the Moontide Water Festival Committee to lend it $10,000 toward the cost of the July 4th fireworks until the board can consult with the town’s lawyer. The town agreed to contribute the usual $10,000 for the event using funds from cable franchise fees.
Committee Chairman Joseph Roberts asked for the additional money to begin paying the necessary permit fees. He, and committee member Matt Gallant, said regular fund-raisers have so far been successful. More are planned.
The festival committee has been grappling with charges against its former chairman, Matt Plante, who has been charged with taking about $5,000 from last year’s fund-raising efforts.
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