RUMFORD – No decision was made by selectmen at Thursday night’s town charter hearing on 13 proposed amendments that were accidentally omitted from last year’s town meeting warrant.

After starting 15 minutes late while waiting for a third selectmen to arrive to make a quorum, the board had town attorney Thomas Carey read a statement about the purpose for each amendment.

But the only significant discussion developed when the board talked about a proposal by Selectman Frank DiConzo, who was absent.

Town Manager Len Greaney said DiConzo wanted the board’s opinion on whether to place on the warrant an article that would give selectmen more power by allowing them to amend the charter as needed twice a year instead of once a year.

However, Selectman Robert Cameron argued that it was best to keep it tough to amend the charter and Chairman J. Arthur Boivin and Selectman Brad Adley agreed.

Then, initial confusion followed as to whether they ought to vote on it until Cameron mentioned that no one had made a motion in DiConzo’s stead and there was no second.

So, the board did nothing, ending discussion.

Of the 13 proposed charter amendments, some are basic housekeeping matters such as deleting obsolete language and updating dates to the present. Additionally, some language in all but one of the amendments had previously been reviewed last year by selectmen and the Charter Commission.

Two amendments seek to change the requirement from 500 voters to 10 percent of registered voters to put an ordinance on the warrant after selectmen vote not to OK it; and to allow the public to call a special town meeting and override a negative vote to do so by selectmen.

Two other amendments would require the town clerk-treasurer and tax collector to be available for full-time work as defined by town personnel policies and to attend annual state training workshops for their positions.

The proposed amendment containing language not previously reviewed by selectmen or the Charter Commission involves something Carey said he added to protect the town.

Previously, selectmen decided to create a Public Safety Officer position to oversee both police and fire departments. They then appointed police Chief Stacy Carter to fill the role.

However, there was nothing in the charter allowing them to do this, so Carey added the words “director of public safety” to the previously reviewed language.

Selectmen then agreed it was necessary.

That amendment clarifies a town police officer’s authority within territorial limits of the town and gives selectmen – with recommendation from the town manager and fire chief or public safety director – the right to determine the scope and level of service of the fire department.

All of the proposed amendments as read will be placed on the town meeting warrant for voters to decide next month.