FARMINGTON — Selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday for Town Manager Richard Davis to pursue information on locating, funding and maintaining a downtown public restroom.

The need, a frequent topic for years especially among Farmington Downtown Association members, was also raised on surveys by patrons last year, Davis told the board.

Davis said he brought the topic before the board to gauge the town’s interest and perhaps take a partnership role with the association.

There are some hurdles to address, he said. A public restroom could pose a high maintenance issue and vandalism concerns.

Some board members had also heard talk about having public restrooms, especially at night when concerts and events are held in the park and downtown.

It’s awkward for children to go into a business and ask to use a restroom without making a purchase, Selectman Andrew Hufnagel said.

Selectman Jessica Berry said the downtown restroom is a great idea and suggested asking how other towns provide for public restrooms.

Berry noted a tourist bus was downtown Tuesday and such situations could make use of public restrooms.

Also Tuesday, the board approved a rally permit to use Meetinghouse Park for a lighting of the gazebo in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October.

The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, organizer Iris Morgan told the board. She had previously received the board’s approval to hang pink lights in the gazebo during the month.

A number of people have expressed interest in being at the park for this first ceremonial lighting, she said in a letter to the board.

She extended an invitation to the board to “come celebrate all that have battled and won, and cheer on those that still battle breast cancer.”

The board went into executive session to discuss an intended renegotiation on the Front Street parking lot lease.

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