RUMFORD – Two 50-plus-year-old maple trees shading the Municipal Building slated for removal received a reprieve at Thursday’s selectmen’s meeting when the board split its vote.

The issue, however, will come up again at the Oct. 4 meeting when all five selectmen are expected to be present. Selectman Frank DiConzo was absent on Thursday.

Board members Arthur Boivin and Mark Belanger voted to remove the trees, which they say detract from the appearance of the nearly century-old building.

Board Chairman Greg Buccina and Selectman Brad Adley voted not to have the trees cut down.

Adley suggested that they be trimmed, and Buccina said many people like to sit on the park benches located in the shade of the trees.

The vote was taken following a handful of comments made by residents, most who want to keep the trees.

“We should just trim them,” said Beth Bellegarde. “(Trees), that’s what New England is all about. Any pictures you see, you see trees.”

Firefighter Don Coulombe suggested that the existing trees be removed, then replaced by dwarf red maples.

Resident Debbie Giroux said she was for keeping the trees.

“They enhance the building and the town,” she said.

Boivin said he had heard comments from residents that the trees should disappear.

“In old pictures, there were none (in front of the building),” he said.

Adley said everyone he has met recently didn’t want the trees cut, but “trimmed up,” instead.