RUMFORD – A retired Rumford fire chief ended the 15-year run of incumbent Selectman James A. Thibodeau at Tuesday’s polls.
In his first run for a three-year term on the Board of Selectman, Arthur Boivin, 65, got 520 votes to Thibodeau’s 368.
Of the other candidates, newcomer Seth Carey, 31, the lawyer who’s spearheading a move to bring a casino to the area, got 309 votes, and retired dairy farmer Roger L. Richardson, 66, got 76 votes.
It was the only contested municipal race.
All four grew up and went to school in Rumford.
Boivin said last week that he ran because, “I have a certain sense of right and wrong, and, I’ll vote for what is right.”
He said he also believes regionalism is coming to Rumford and favors working with surrounding towns, but wants to be sure his hometown would realize savings through any department merger with other towns.
He wants to share purchases, such as fuel, with SAD 43 and other towns. And, because the police departments work well together, Boivin said he believes they could merge with Mexico, Dixfield and Rumford eventually.
Thibodeau, 65, who chaired the board for more than 12 years, has also been a member of the Finance Committee, Med-Care Ambulance Board of Directors, Board of Assessors, and the Water District board.
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