RUMFORD – Whether action will be taken against the two selectmen and former fire chief for cutting down two maple trees in front of the Municipal Building likely won’t be decided until next month.

Greg Buccina, chairman of the board, said he has met with town attorney Tom Carey and Town Manager Jim Doar on the matter, and no decisions have been made.

Police Chief Stacy Carter has directed Lt. Mark Cayer to investigate the matter. He said he has received several complaints from residents on the Nov. 5 predawn felling.

“We want to make sure the public safety of Rumford citizens isn’t in jeopardy,” he said prior to Thursday night’s selectmen’s meeting.

He’s not sure yet whether there could be charges.

“The incident is still unclear,” he said.

Doar said four residents have also filed written complaints against the selectmen who took part in the incident: Arthur Boivin and Frank DiConzo. Also taking part in the cutting was former fire chief and former Selectman Eugene Boivin, Arthur’s brother.

Selectmen last month unanimously voted to have the town’s public works crew take the responsibility for removing the 50-plus-year-old maples to improve the looks of the building. On Nov. 5, without getting prior approval, the Boivins and DiConzo cut down the trees at 5:45 a.m., then asked the town manager to direct the public works department to clean up the mess left behind on Congress Street.

Public Works Supervisor Andy Russell said at the time that he had already made a verbal agreement with a subcontractor to remove the trees. Because of the action taken by the three men, his crew was taken off a job and directed to clean up the tree limbs and trunks.

Buccina said the board will take all findings and likely make a decision at the Dec. 6 meeting.

Boivin did not attend Thursday’s meeting.

More than 50 people turned out for Thursday’s meeting, which was held at the American Legion Hall because more than 49 people are not legally allowed in the Municipal Auditorium at one time because of safety codes.

Fireworks were narrowly avoided between local businessman Ron Theriault and former Selectman Jim Thibodeau, when Thibodeau made a statement on the tree cutting.

“I am dismayed about Rumford being the laughingstock of the state,” Thibodeau said. “Why weren’t these three arrested? Anyone else would have been. Is it time for recalls of a couple of selectmen?”

When Theriault shouted point of order during Thibodeau’s statement, he was told that he would have a chance to speak.

When he did, he said the Sun Journal was responsible for such a possible negative image, and added that no precedent had been set with selectmen doing something the public works crew had been expected to do.

“That fire escape came down by a selectman, without an expert, contract or safety equipment, with the public present,” Theriault said.

He said to take action against the two selectmen who helped cut down the trees would be hypocritical when a precedent had already been set.

Reached at home Thursday night, Thibodeau said the board authorized the removal of the fire escape by the public works department. When the crew found that the rusty fire escape was unsafe to step on, he said Russell called him so they could borrow his bucket truck.

“The town crew then hauled the rusted and rotten metal to the dump,” Thibodeau said.

At Thursday’s meeting, Theriault questioned when selectmen took the vote on the removal of the fire escape.

Buccina didn’t know. But after the meeting, Doar said he would investigate the steps taken in the fire escape issue.

Also during the public input session, resident Gary Dolloff said he thought the actions taken by the three were disrespectful to the board and town manager.

“I love Rumford, and I hate looking in the paper and seeing us made a joke of over and over again. I hope something is done about it,” he said.