RUMFORD — As many as 100 positions in the local paper mill may be lost, at least temporarily, following an announcement that the No. 10 machine will be “temporarily indefinitely” shut down as of Sept. 18.

Earlier in the week, NewPage Corp. announced that the No. 10 machine would be shut down for about two weeks, beginning on Sept. 18.

Janet Hall, spokeswoman for the mill, confirmed Friday afternoon that the machine will be shut down for an indefinite length of time on Sept. 18. She said the No. 15 machine, which has been running only five days a week for many weeks, will resume its seven-day-a-week schedule on that day.

She declined to say how many employees would be affected by the changes. The policy of last-in, first-out would be applied to who stays and who goes, she said, adding that the interim training that is needed would also be a factor.

Local 900 Union President Matt Bean said 100 positions but not necessarily 100 people
would be affected by the No. 10 shutdown.

He said he believed the decision to shut down the No. 10 machine was made at the local mill, not from corporate headquarters in Miamisburg, Ohio.

“It’s to be competitive,” Bean said.

Hall said actions at the mill continue to be market-driven.

“The coated-paper market continues to be a struggle,” she said. ‘When the economy rebounds, No. 10 machine will be restarted.”

She confirmed that mill representatives are in talks with the Rumford Board of Selectmen to explore options the mill may have with the town. She declined to say whether those options could be tax breaks.

“We are communicating with the town,” Hall said. “We are willing to work with them.”

Efforts to reach Town Manager Carlo Puiia were unsuccessful Friday.

The number of employees at the local mill has hovered at about 800 hourly and salaried people.

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