RUMFORD – Eugene Boivin argued that a town manager should live within the boundaries of the town of Rumford, while William French said the qualifications should be the determining factor whenever a town manager is hired.

These two opinions were among the dozen or so voiced Monday night at a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the town charter that would allow the positions of town manager, sealer of weights and measures, and town auditor to be occupied by people living out of town if selectmen agree.

Selectmen will take the comments into consideration before accepting an amendment at their Thursday night meeting. The amendment will be decided by town residents during a special election Dec. 5.

Triggering the need for the amendment is the residency of Town Manager Stephen Eldridge, who was hired nearly two years ago. He resides in Monmouth, and his contract with the town allows him to remain there.

Some, including former Selectman Boivin, have argued that the town manager should live within the town, as dictated by the 1951 charter.

“I will fight this tooth and nail,” he told town attorney Jennifer Kreckel. “It bothers me when a comparison of a part-time employee is made to a full-time employee who draws $75,000 a year. I’ve heard people bang this charter meeting after meeting. It has served us well for 50 years. If this goes through, let’s get an attorney from Lewiston or Portland,” he said.

Kreckel explained that the proposed charter amendment also would leave discretion as to whether the sealer of weights and measures and the town auditor should reside in town to the selectmen. Now, all three positions are held by people living in other towns.

“We may not be able to get someone here with the qualifications. The town manager job has changed drastically since the charter was written,” she said.

Earlier in the hearing, she said that the town charter was never amended in the the 1980s when lawsuits were brought over residency requirements for jobs.

She said, too, that because Eldridge has a valid contract signed by selectmen, the town could be liable for a lawsuit if it should terminate that contract.

Ron Kuhl supported the proposed amendment.

“The board needs the flexibility to hire the best person for the job,” he said.

Vin Caruso, however, said he had no ax to grind with anyone.

“But three positions – police chief, fire chief and town manager – should live within five miles of town,” he said.

Selectman Greg Buccina said he was perplexed at the timing of the residency issue.

“Why wasn’t this brought up when the town manager was hired?” he asked.

Seth Carey said he was a believer in progress, but wanted the selectmen to think about the drafters of the charter.

“Someone who leads the town should be a part of the community, someone who invests in the town,” he said.

Tom Fallon agreed.

“A town manager who lives in the town will learn a lot about Rumford. If someone lives outside of town, he might impose his view,” he said.

However, Ronald Atkins said he believed a 45-minute commute is acceptable.

“I feel comfortable with someone with his education,” he said.

Linda French, a member of the Downtown Revitalization Committee, asked how many documents stay the same for 50 years.

“This is an important document, but we need to update constantly. I favor the change, but I want people to look at the position, and not the person. The town manager has been doing very well,” she said.

A lawsuit is being brought by some residents led by attorney Tom Carey that seeks to terminate Eldridge’s contract until provisions of the charter are met.