RUMFORD – Selectmen declined to grant the Moontide Water Festival Committee funding for fireworks, and decided not to authorize the purchase of a grader by the public works department Thursday night.

They did, however, grant nonunion municipal employees a pay raise, which matched the 3 percent hike given to unionized workers.

Chairman Greg Buccina said Friday that with the town facing tough financial times ahead, money for fireworks was not a top concern. Generally, the town grants at least $10,000 toward the event taken from cable television franchise fees.

Moontide committee Chairman Eddie Shurtleff requested $12,000 this year. Buccina said Shurtleff can make his request through the initiated article process. The funds, however, even if granted, would not come through until autumn.

Although the grader had been in a capital plan, Buccina said with the tight financial situation, the public works department will be asked to repair its grader.

Also on Thursday, the board took no action after a 30-minute closed session on a complaint lodged by animal control officer Marsha McKenna against Town Manager Jim Doar. No details were provided.

In other matters:

• Doar said he is applying for two grants from the Project Canopy Program that, if successful, would replace the two maples that were removed from the front of the Municipal Building, and conduct a study of other trees located throughout the downtown area; and

• selectmen agreed to send a letter to Gov. John Baldacci, at the request of Len Greaney, opposing an executive order that allows benefits for undocumented aliens.