RUMFORD – The Charter Commission on Thursday was granted an extra six months to prepare a preliminary report, but not before selectmen agreed to send a letter to two commission members who some say used insensitive language.

Ron Theriault, a local businessman and candidate for selectman, filed complaints against commission members Jim Thibodeau and Walter Buotte on Feb. 16. Board Chairman Jim Rinaldo said the two had made statements during a commission meeting blaming tax collector Carlo Puiia for former Town Manager Steve Eldridge leaving his position.

Theriault, a former elected commission member who resigned soon after the commission started meeting, called for Thibodeau and Buotte’s removal from the commission.

On Friday, Thibodeau responded to Theriault’s letter.

“This is Ron Theriault telling his half-truths again,” Thibodeau said. “I didn’t say anything wrong and see no need to get a letter. When I say something, it’s the truth.”

Theriault wrote that the town’s bylaws call for removal of elected or appointed officials who make verbal accusations against other town officials.

Selectmen’s Chairman Jim Rinaldo said during Thursday’s meeting that he had listened to the tape of that meeting several times

Rinaldo wrote in his report that nothing said during the Jan. 25 meeting in question could be construed as an accusation against Puiia. He further wrote that he believes commission members have the right to freedom of speech.

Puiia, who attended Thursday’s meeting, attempted to make comments about the complaints filed by Theriault and Rinaldo’s written decision, but was not allowed to speak. Puiia had also been elected to the Charter Commission, but along with former Selectman Eugene Boivin, resigned soon after the meetings began.

“This is not to be debated,” Rinaldo said.

Rinaldo also told those attending Thursday’s meeting that Puiia was not the reason Eldridge left.

“It was a residency issue,” he said.

Joseph Roberts, vice chairman of the commission, also believes Theriault’s complaint was an infringement on free speech.

On Friday, he said many of the other commission members felt the comments made by Buotte and Thibodeau were out of line, but “when you try to muffle them, that’s not good either.”

He said he had other issues with Theriault, including a letter to the editor that appeared in the local weekly newspaper.

“To say the entire Charter Commission is trying to railroad something is completely out of line. To accuse the commission of having an agenda is ridiculous,” he said, adding that Theriault’s letter also contained erroneous information that the charter was 15 years old, and not 55. “I would encourage the vocal members of the community to get their facts straight.”

Reached by telephone Friday, Theriault said he had no comment on Rinaldo’s decision and plans to speak with Rinaldo about it.

He said he resigned because he felt the commission was trying to make statements about the secret ballot vote that he deemed inappropriate. He also said he wanted to be able to make statements to the public without being inappropriate, which he said would be if he sat on the commission.

He also believes that the mission of the commission is predetermined.

Selectmen directed acting Town Manager Stacy Carter to write a letter to Thibodeau and Buotte asking them to be more sensitive when discussing municipal positions.

In receiving an extension to complete a preliminary report for selectmen, Roberts said the commission has reviewed about two-thirds of the document, line by line.

Some consider the document the town’s constitution.

Roberts said many sections are outdated and need revision.

The extension grants the commission until Nov. 15 to present its preliminary report, then until Aug. 15, 2008, to submit its final recommendations. Residents will likely vote on it the following November.