RUMFORD – Three complaints filed against two members of the Board of Selectmen and the police chief were withdrawn Thursday night after lengthy discussions. A fourth was dismissed by the board.

But whether such complaints filed with the town manager in the future will be public information is uncertain.

Selectmen held back-to-back meetings Thursday, beginning with a workshop to discuss the future of how to fill the soon-to-be-vacant fire chief’s position at 5 p.m., followed by a regular meeting from 7 to nearly 9:30 p.m.

Dropped were complaints by Selectman Mark Belanger against police Chief Stacy Carter, whom he had said assassinated his character at a March 6 meeting, and a call for the resignations of Selectmen Greg Buccina and Brad Adley by Joseph and Annette St. Pierre, Pamela Do and 10 other people. Also dropped was a complaint by Ron Theriault calling for Buccina to leave his position as chairman of the board.

Resident Tom Fallon, who had filed a complaint against Buccina and Adley that called for them to be censored, withdrew his complaint before it went to the town manager for findings.

At the start of the board meeting, Fallon said, “It’s time to put away the tomahawks,” referring to the sometimes contentious board meetings held over the past few months,

However, some selectmen want complaints filed against selectmen to be kept confidential until they are brought to board meetings.

“I believe a lot has been sensationalized. Until it gets resolved on this level, that’s when it can be made public,” Selectman Frank DiConzo said.

Belanger said he believes all complaints in past years were handled in executive session. He believes that complaints going to the press before going to the board could be damaging.

“It’s a little premature,” he said.

“That logic would say you can’t write a letter to the editor,” said Doar, who later added that it’s public knowledge who makes a complaint.

St. Pierre said releasing such information to the press discourages people from getting active in public affairs.

There was no resolution, however, Belanger said such information is on file for anyone to view.

In other matters, the board unanimously approved a low-interest $35,000 loan, for 10 years, for Brian Nichols, owner of Brian’s Bistro. Nichols is currently renovating the former Boiler Room Restaurant at the Hotel Harris on Congress and Hartford streets. He hopes to open the business sometime next month.

Doar also named longtime Deputy Chief Richard Coulombe as interim fire chief until the board decides how to fill the position. Chief John Woulfe is leaving his job Saturday for a position with the International Association of Fire Chiefs in Washington, D.C.