RUMFORD – Proposals to set term limits for selectmen, retain election of certain municipal officers and add a few more, and inclusion of the fire department in the town charter were among suggestions made Monday night at a Charter Commission hearing.

The hearing is the first step by the commission in a year-long process of reviewing and possibly rewriting the 50-year-old document some have called the town’s constitution.

About 15 people attended the nearly hour-long meeting.

Now, said Chairman Walter Buotte, the nine-member commission will get down to work at a meeting next week at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 12, in the conference room of the Municipal Building.

Buotte said a preliminary report must be produced by the commission by May 5, then the final document presented to selectmen by Sept. 7.

If all goes on schedule, Buotte said voters will have a chance to accept or reject the proposed changes in November 2007. If necessary, he said, the commission could ask selectmen for a one-year extension to complete its task.

“We have a lot of work to do,” he said.

Resident Kevin Saisi said he believes people aren’t interested in a town council form of government, as some had suggested, but he does believe the positions of town clerk and tax collector should remain elected, to which Joe Gorham agreed.

Eugene Boivin, a member of the commission, suggested that other appointed positions, such as police chief, fire chief and public works director, also be elected. He said he heard the recommendations from the public.

Saisi also wants term limits for selectmen, and the establishment of Roberts Rules of Order for the operation of town boards and committees.

Fire Chief John Woulfe presented a two-page suggestion that would define the level of service the fire department provides to the town, then add it to the charter. Currently, he said little is addressed in the charter regarding the fire department.

Selectmen Greg Buccina believes the charter should be written so that all can understand its meaning.

“I’m told I’m not following it. People interpret things differently. The biggest challenge you have,” he said to the commission, “is to simplify it for understanding. That would be advantageous.”

Other suggestions included: amending the amount of money an item may cost before it must go out to bid; outlining procedures for each elected office; and defining a chain of command for the Municipal Building

Buotte said he hopes the commission will clean up out-of-date wording in the document first, then tackle the potentially controversial issues, such as elected or appointed positions, but he said that decision was up to the membership. Commission members will also have recommendations for changes to the charter.

Residents approved establishing a Charter Commission during the June election.