RUMFORD — Selectmen voted 4-1 Thursday to not renew a side letter of agreement between selectmen and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1601 concerning manning the fire station.

The implications of that, however, are anyone’s guess, Town Manager Carlo Puiia said.

Local 1601 president and Rumford firefighter Mark Tripp declined to talk about the issue Friday afternoon, because he said he believes it should be done during contract negotiations in executive session.

Puiia said Friday that selectmen had received a request to extend the side letter, which states that the Fire Department must be staffed with a minimum of three IAFF Local 1601 full-time firefighters.

That contract, which selectmen have twice extended by 30 days, originally expired June 30.

Puiia said that the town’s and union’s former contract, which also expired June 30, was drafted to state that a minimum of four union firefighters had to staff the station.

The side letter then spelled out that the minimum would be three Local 1601 full-time firefighters and that a utility firefighter would be the fifth person on day shift with duties being assigned as required.

That clause prevented the union from filing a grievance.

Because a majority of selectmen voted not to renew the side letter agreement, “it creates a grievance for the Fire Department,” Puiia said.

Selectman Greg Buccina was the lone dissenter.

Puiia said that the other selectmen believed that if they extended the staffing agreement, it would cause a shortage in funding.

At town meeting in June, a majority of voters opted for the Finance Committee recommendation of $675,000 for the Fire Department budget. Selectmen had recommended $700,000. The original request from the department was for $793,838.

“So, we’re waiting to see how the union reacts to this, but it does pose a problem, because they could grieve it,” Puiia said.

“The union contract does read that management can determine the scope and level of service necessary and funding and personnel,” he said, reading from the contract. “Selectmen feel that there’s not adequate funding in the budget.”

Puiia said the board and fire Chief Robert Chase will again discuss the matter at the board’s next meeting in two weeks.

In other business, Jim Rinaldo of the Rumford Performing Arts Committee suggested that the town hall auditorium needs a name.

Puiia said that both Rinaldo and selectmen chose to let the public decide on the name.

“It thought it was a good idea,” Puiia added.

Suggestions may be left at the town office during business hours or by calling the town office.

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