RUMFORD – A new Agricultural Commission was appointed at Thursday night’s selectmen’s meeting that is aimed at promoting and developing the agricultural resources in the River Valley area.

The commission, a joint effort of the town and the River Valley Growth Council, was made possible by a $10,000 grant from Threshold of Maine.

Three Rumford farmers, Annette Marin of No View Farm on the South Rumford Road, former state legislator Rob Cameron, and Rumford Center pastor and farmer David Kimball were appointed to the commission.

Also named were Canton farmers Laurie Ackley and Norris Conant.

The newly formed commission will begin meeting within the next few weeks to determine ways to capitalize on the crops grown in the area. The meetings will be open to the public.

An initial meeting date has not yet been set.

Also on Thursday, the board awarded two contracts for repair work at the Rumford Public Library.

Portland glass will replace 11 windows at a cost of $3,800, while Community Energy of Rumford will replace the toilet and repair the floor in the bathroom at a cost of $600.

In a library-related matter, board Chairman Jim Rinaldo said residents will likely have an opportunity to decide whether to authorize extensive repairs to the library or build a new structure at the June town meeting.

In other action Thursday, selectmen: • appointed Bangor Savings manager Kelly Greene as a director on the River Valley Growth Council, and Rumford police Lt. Mark Cayer as an alternate on the council board;

• learned that a special Veterans’ Day Memorial to honor local veterans who are buried overseas will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Park at the end of Congress Street.

• agreed to donate $200 to the American Legion for allowing the use of selectmen’s meetings in its hall. Because of Office of the State Fire Marshal requirements that no more than 49 people occupy the Municipal Auditorium at any one time, which is the usual place for board meetings, semi-monthly board meetings have been held at the Legion;

• learned that the state gymnastics meet will be held at the Greater Rumford Community Center on April 27-29. Selectman Greg Buccina said more than 300 young people from around the state will compete. An organizational meeting to prepare for the event is set for 5 p.m. Nov. 13 at the community center; and

• learned that the Eastern Cup skiing competition will take place at Black Mountain on Jan. 12-14. Black Mountain board Chairman Roger Arsenault said nearly 500 skiers from the Northeast will compete in the event, which is the largest competition in New England.