RUMFORD – Selectmen on Thursday set a special town meeting for July 18 to correct action that authorized the town to spend more than the state approved.
At the regular town meeting this month, voters approved a municipal budget that included raising about $120,000 more than the state, under the property tax levy limit, said would be appropriate. Although residents also approved raising more money, they did it by a show of hands rather than by secret ballot. Approval of this article at the special town meeting will allow the expenditure of the money raised.
Voters will also be asked to approve applications for grants that would help in the restoration of the River Park along a portion of the Androscoggin River.
In another article, voters will be asked to approve an agreement between the town and the Maine Rural Development Authority for $500,000 that would be used to build two buildings in the town’s new business park.
Eldridge said the town would serve as a pass-through for the low-interest money. He said two businesses have expressed interest in moving into the park. One of the businesses is World Wide Language Resources on Congress Street.
A larger work force has prompted owner Larry Costa to look for a larger facility, Eldridge said. Several months ago, Costa said he expected an increase of about 85 people.
Eldridge declined to identify the second interested business.
In other matters on Thursday, Eldridge said the previously approved contract with Tom Harville of Skowhegan for painting the wooden portions of the municipal building and its cupola has been canceled. He said the contractor has not started work.
Instead, Eldridge said he is negotiating to contract the work to John Ronan of Rumford. The original bid was $26,000. Eldridge has not yet come to a financial agreement with Ronan for the work.
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