RUMFORD – Selectmen this week will decide whether to adopt a new rule that would place restrictions on comments the public can make when addressing the board.

The session is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Municipal Auditorium. The board will meet at 5:30 p.m. in closed session to evaluate the work of Town Manager Jim Doar.

Doar said the proposal, a two-paragraph statement printed on all copies of the agenda so the public will know what the board is discussing, should be a balance between allowing public input and ensuring full discussions by selectmen.

Among components of the proposal are those calling for all remarks to be directed to the town manager or the board, one comment at a time, a prohibition on personal or improper remarks, and the possibility that a violator could be removed for breaking the rule.

Also on Thursday’s agenda, 20 to 30 minutes will be devoted to discussing priorities and planning for the future of the town.

“We set a vision, goals, strategies, but how do we know if we’re successful?” Doar said.

Other agenda items include a discussion on whether to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a paid holiday for municipal employees. If approved, the town’s Good Friday day off would be eliminated.

Also, the board will decide whether to hire an architect to help local business owners with plans for improving the facades of their storefronts. Doar said money to pay an architect would come from a federal grant.

Although the town received $150,000 to help pay for spiffing up the exterior of businesses, few have taken advantage of the money. With an architect to help, Doar said more business people may take part.

Selectmen will hold two closed sessions following the public portion of the meeting. One will be to discuss a personnel complaint and will be with the town manager, public works superintendent and resident Henry Zinck. The second deals with a Fire Department union grievance.