RUMFORD – Residents will decide on a charter change next month that would allow Rumford and Mexico to share a town manager.

The proposed change was presented by Charter Commission Vice Chairman Joe Roberts at the Rumford selectmen’s meeting Thursday night, a day after selectmen from both towns unanimously agreed to share a manager for a one-year trial. During that time, that person would investigate consolidating police, fire, public works and other departments.

The town of Mexico has no legal problem with that arrangement, however, the Rumford charter prohibits a town manager from working less than full-time.

The proposed change would state that the town manager must be available as determined by the Board of Selectmen.

Another meeting of the two boards was set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, in the Rumford Municipal Auditorium to work on details, should residents agree to the charter change.

Also at Thursday’s board meeting, Roberts outlined all the changes that voters must decide on in June. The eight-member commission, which has been reviewing and revising the 57-year-old charter since September 2006, will dissolve in 30 days, now that its work is nearly done.

The only act remaining, he said, is a review of the ballot listing the changes.

Town Manager Jim Doar said the entire municipal ballot will likely be completed on May 16.

Other proposed charter changes include:

• expanding the Board of Selectmen from five to seven members;

• eliminating the Finance Committee;

• requiring all newly elected selectmen to undergo training;

• adding flexibility in the contract for a first-year town manager;

• appointing the tax collector, and town clerk and treasurer, instead of electing them;

• requiring the town manager to live within the River Valley towns, rather than Rumford; and

• restricting membership to one committee or board at a time.