RUMFORD — Townspeople on Thursday can learn what a Bay State wind power
company plans for town peaks by attending a Board of Selectmen meeting in the
town hall auditorium.

Matthew Kearns, vice president of business development for Boston-based First Wind, will conduct a presentation on the company’s proposed project, Town Manager Carlo Puiia said Wednesday.

He said Kearns was expected to answer several previously received questions from the Rumford Wind Power Education Committee.

The group of residents is leading a petition drive to force a
moratorium on any wind power development until everyone, including town
officials, becomes thoroughly educated about any and all issues
involving wind power facilities.

“We have viewed the Nov. 5 visit by the First Wind company to be
just one step along the way to heightened and meaningful clarity,”
committee spokesman Len Greaney e-mailed on Tuesday.

Puiia said he would have an official from the Maine Revenue Service
at the meeting to answer technical questions pertaining to money and
tax matters involving wind farms.

Selectmen are expected to discuss possibly creating a municipal wind
power forum or committee to gather information about the renewable
energy business.

“It will be about what the town deems most appropriate and the makeup of such a board,” Puiia said.

Among other agenda items for Thursday’s meeting are:

• Approving a winter parking ban to begin on the day of the first snowstorm.

• Rescheduling the Nov. 19 board meeting to Nov. 23, to appoint a
new selectman to serve a half-year term for outgoing Selectman Robert
Cameron. At town meeting in June, voters will elect a new selectman to
serve Cameron’s remaining year.

There are also two closed-door sessions scheduled for personnel
matters. The first is with Puiia, the Parks and Recreation Commission
and the Parks and Recreation superintendent. The other is with Puiia,
fire Chief Robert Chase and Mark Tripp, the firefighters’ union
representative.

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