RUMFORD – The Parks Commission wants to return responsibility for the annual fireworks display to the town.

On Tuesday afternoon, the commission agreed to forward a memorandum of understanding from the Moontide Water Festival Committee to municipal officials that outlines how the commission would take over the annual July Fourth fireworks display.

“It’s all contingent upon franchise fees and if we’re allowed to put money in the Parks Commission budget,” said Rick White, chairman of the commission.

Joseph Roberts, chairman of the Moontide Committee, presented the memorandum following approval by his committee to ask the commission to operate the annual event.

For the past dozen years, until this July, the Moontide Committee sponsored a festival and fireworks display. This year, indebtedness prevented the annual event.

White said the town has a history of paying for fireworks. “In the 1970s and 1980s, the town put on fireworks at Hosmer Field,” he said. “The fireworks were here so people could see this place.”

The memorandum assigns responsibility for the fireworks to the town via the Parks Commission, while the Moontide panel would continue with the associated festival. Also, Moontide would donate 10 percent of whatever money it raises to the commission for the fireworks display and related matters, as well as make available all equipment and materials it has related to the fireworks display.

Although the two committees would be responsible for two aspects of the festival, Roberts said they would also work together for the common good.

White said continuing with the annual fireworks display is important to the growth of the town.

“If we don’t bring people here, we’ll have the same stagnant town,” he said.

The plan must go before selectmen for approval.

In past years, the town donated $10,000 from cable franchise fees. The Moontide Committee then raised the rest, usually buying about $25,000 in fireworks. White proposes adding $10,000 to the Parks Commission budget. Fundraising would help add more money for fireworks.