RUMFORD – Plans are under way to provide a place for businesses to dump snow, and to assure that fire hydrants are cleared and ready to use.

Selectmen on Thursday heard complaints from several people about the lack of space in the town’s snow dump. They also heard that fire hydrants aren’t being cleared.

Chairman Greg Buccina said Friday night that a plan will soon be in place to make sure all fire hydrants are shoveled out after each storm.

It could take a joint effort of the fire, water, parks and public works departments, but it will get done, he said.

As far as where to put the snow, he said businesses will likely be able to haul it to Archie’s lot on Route 2 in Mexico.

“It’s never been an issue with dumping snow at the snow dump until this year,” he said.

The municipal snow dump along the Androscoggin River off Rumford Avenue has taken as much as possible. The town started hauling snow to Archie’s a few weeks ago.

Buccina said the board plans to work out a backup plan for the future.

“We’ll do what we can to help,” he said.

In another matter from Thursday’s board meeting, selectmen heard a presentation by Rumford Hospital Chief Executive Officer John Welsh and several physicians associated with the hospital in support of Med-Care Ambulance Service.

Selectmen refused to sign a letter of support for the ambulance service to seek funding for a new station because of the town’s tight budget.

As presented by Med-Care, Rumford would pay about $43,000 a year for at least 20 years to help pay for the new building, along with the town’s share of providing service, at about $80,000 annually.

Selectmen supported the work done by ambulance personnel, but not plans to construct a new building.

Welsh said the ambulance service was crucial to the services provided by the hospital, and that to weaken the service could lead to an economic decline.

The hospital and its related businesses, he said, is the area’s second largest employer, with more than 400 jobs. Med-Care served as a “right arm” to the hospital.

Buccina said the decision not to submit a letter of support was based purely on finances.

On Friday, he said the board would be open to talk with Med-Care administration to discuss helping them meet their goals, perhaps through restructuring their plans.