RUMFORD – Selectmen unanimously voted Thursday night to eliminate monitoring of downtown parking after business owners said in a survey they wanted no time limit on parked cars.

The decision essentially means that the town’s parking monitor will no longer regularly patrol the downtown area, marking tires, and issuing parking tickets when vehicles have exceeded the posted two-hour limit, effective Friday.

Fifty-five surveys were distributed to businesses during the past week or so, asking whether owners wanted to keep the two-hour limit, expand it to three hours, or set no time limit. With 29 returned, 15 stated they wanted to do away with any time limit, Chairman Jim Rinaldo said.

Rumford police Chief Stacy Carter said, however, that because the two-hour parking limit is part of the town’s bylaws, selectmen cannot abolish that limit. Enforcement will be less rigid following the selectmen’s decision, although vehicles still could be ticketed.

The parking monitor, who has been on duty for nearly three years, will finish out her contract through the end of June by doing clerical duties for the Police Department.

Carter said she will do what the Police Department assigns her, including the possibility of occasionally monitoring parking, such as vehicles that park in handicapped parking spaces without the proper permit.

Resident Kevin Saisi suggested that some of her time be used to monitor people who smoke in front of the Municipal Building. The town outlawed smoking in that area last year.

A monitor was hired nearly three years ago when some businesses complained that vehicles, often those of employees working downtown, were parking for extended periods, making it difficult for potential customers to park.

The survey also revealed that six of those responding wanted to retain the two-hour enforcement, and eight wanted to extend the amount of permitted time to three hours.

Carter honored brothers Thomas and Dennis O’Brien for assisting officer Tracey Higley with an arrest at the Muskie Building on Jan. 13, and Roger White for helping officer Peter Casey with a domestic dispute on Jan. 24. Each received a Citizen Award of Merit.

Carter said the department wants to recognize residents when they do good deeds.

“It’s very important to recognize individuals when they go above and beyond,” he said.

He said similar merit awards will be presented as appropriate.

The board also appointed local businessman Ron Theriault to a full seat on the Board of Appeals. He had previously served as an alternate member.