RUMFORD – A previously requested $25,000 donation by the town to the River Valley Technology Center is still just that, a request awaiting an answer.

Following nearly 90 minutes of lobbying for the money by center officials, and discussion for and against granting the request, selectmen unanimously tabled it.

Finance Committee Chairman Ronald Russell, speaking as a resident and not the chairman, urged the board to delay its decision, because articles in the proposed municipal budget must still be decided by town meeting voters on Tuesday, June 9.

Selectmen agreed.

“It would be negligent of us to give our approval at this time for the reasons Ron has stated,” Selectman Frank DiConzo said.

River Valley Growth Council Board President Rich Allen made a lengthy pitch for the money, which he said will be used to help underwrite $60,000 in operational expenses like heat and electricity, which the center can’t cover on a monthly basis due to lack of a few needed tenants.

Allen said both the center’s Board of Directors and the council, which manages the center, are seeking additional funding sources and could possibly have a federal agency lined up to move into the building. If it happens, he said it would solve the problem.

Allen said the $25,000 would be a one-time request.

“We’re not building a slush fund and we’re not building reserves,” Allen said, answering criticism previously raised by others. “We’re not just saying, ‘Give us $25,000 or we’re not going to survive.'”

Technology center Board of Directors member Jim Rinaldo plugged the center, saying it’s a great source that brings business into the River Valley area.

“We are pursuing a lot of things and a lot of things could happen in the next six to 10 months,” Rinaldo said. “Economic development is more important in these economic times.”

Rumford’s Economic Development Committee coordinator Phil Blampied argued against giving the center taxpayer money.

“If the growth council wanted $25,000, they should have done that during the budget process through initiated articles,” Blampied said. “Instead, they’re attempting an end-run around the budget process.”

“There is a general perception out there that (the center) is not worth the money that’s going into it,” he said. “They want a handout that’s not subject to voter purview.”

He argued that center staff should prepare business plan documents like financial statements and verified records prior to asking for money, much like someone seeking a loan from a bank must do.

Tim Gallant, superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department, sided with Allen and Rinaldo, saying the tech center has brought economic development opportunities into town.

“I think it would be foolish to not help them out,” Gallant said. “They are our only leg we have right now. It’s standing up. Don’t cut it off.”

One woman argued that the tech center is on the verge of becoming self supportive and urged the board not to end that opportunity.

Town Manager Len Greaney then suggested the town could loan the money to the center from its economic development account, but Selectman Brad Adley questioned the legality of doing that with taxpayer money.

Resident Patrick Ryan argued that the center has become a white elephant.

“I don’t think you should throw good money after bad,” Ryan said.

After more discussion, selectmen tabled the matter until their next meeting in two weeks.