RUMFORD – During a brief meeting Thursday night, the Finance Committee unanimously recommended that the town go to the state bond bank to finance repairs and code modifications to the Municipal Building.

Chairwoman Jolan Ippolito said the committee agreed last month that the town should borrow $830,000 so that the necessary work could be done. A majority of the Board of Selectmen also recommended that amount. The town’s Building Committee and one selectman had recommended a higher figure so that work could be done that would add a new side entrance to the building that would allow elderly and handicapped people greater accessibility and relocate an elevator.

Ippolito said Thursday’s Finance Committee meeting was probably a technicality.

Voters will have the final say at a special town meeting set for Jan. 11 when they will vote on whether to spend the money, then on whether they want to go to the state bond bank for a five-year loan.

Ippolito said voters could decide to finance the expenditures all in one tax year if desired, at the regular town meeting in June.

Town officials have had to restrict the number of people who can be in the town’s auditorium since the state fire marshal set the maximum number at 49 several months ago. Selectmen have been meeting at the American Legion Hall on upper Congress Street for several months because the number of attendees has often exceeded the number deemed safe.

The $830,000 would provide an additional exit from the auditorium as well as an additional exit from the District Court offices on the first floor. Other life and safety issues identified by the fire marshal’s inspection last February include installation of handicapped bathrooms on each floor, some fire wall enclosures, and other fire code matters.