RUMFORD – Newly appointed Town Manager Jim Doar this week took over the chairmanship of the Downtown Revitalization Committee.

Former Town Manager Stephen Eldridge got the committee started more than a year ago to find ways to vitalize the Congress and Waldo street area. When he left in January, committee member William French took over.

Doar, who became chairman Monday, said the following day that he is getting up to speed on projects spearheaded by the group.

He plans to resubmit a grant request with the federal Community Development Block Grant program in January for up to $400,000 that would provide for sidewalk work and traffic flow reconfiguration. The committee learned recently that it was unsuccessful in seeking the money this year.

He also plans to concentrate on marketing a $150,000 federal grant the town received to upgrade business facades. The program calls for a 50/50 match with the business owner. So far, only one downtown business has taken advantage of the money.

A representative from the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments will continue to administer the money.

“There was a lot of enthusiasm at the meeting and there is a good foundation in place as far as ideas,” Doar said. “But I don’t know how it will work this year as far as the budget is concerned.”

Other projects in the works include a River Park Trail. The public works department will cut or trim trees along the river bank as time allows, so that a clearer view of the river will be available.

Doar also plans to ask a representative from the committee to report its progress and projects on a periodic basis to selectmen. Selectman Frank DiConzo attended Monday’s meeting. Doar said he plans to ask for similar reports from other municipal committees.

“We want to keep the lines of communication open,” he said. “It’s important for the selectmen to take a broad view of the town.”

The committee’s next meeting was scheduled for 5:15 p.m. on July 23 at the Municipal Building auditorium.