RUMFORD — Unlike Mexico officials, selectmen Wednesday night voted against sending a letter of support for Jay to remain in Senate District 14.
Selectman Jeremy Volkernick voted yes, but Selectmen Jeff Sterling and Greg Buccina voted no. Selectman Jolene Lovejoy, who arrived late for the meeting, abstained. Selectman Brad Adley was absent.
The majority reasoned that they could draft their own letters of support instead of sending one letter as a whole board.
On Tuesday night, Jim McHugh of the Oxford County Democratic Office in Mexico told Mexico selectmen he was hoping the town would agree to draft a letter to the state redistricting committee explaining why Jay should remain in the district.
Jay is the only Franklin County town in Senate District 14. The other towns are in Oxford County and are: Andover, Bethel, Buckfield, Byron, Canton, Dixfield, Gilead, Greenwood, Hanover, Hartford, Hebron, Lincoln Plantation, Lovell, Magalloway Plantation, Mexico, Milton Township, Newry, Bowmantown Township, Oxbow Township, Parmachenee Township, Lynchtown Township, Adamstown Township, Richardsontown Township, Upper Cupsuptic Township, Lower Cupsuptic Township, Grafton Township, Riley Township, Township C, Andover North Surplus, Andover West Surplus, C Surplus, Peru, Roxbury, Rumford, Albany Township, Mason Township, Batchelders Grant, Stoneham, Stow, Sumner, Sweden, Upton, Waterford, West Paris and Woodstock.
McHugh said the county Democratic office is getting proposals to have Jay removed from the district.
But, like Patrick, McHugh said he would like to keep Jay in the district due to commonality that Jay shares with Rumford and Mexico. This includes paper-making, power plants and the gas line.
At Rumford’s selectmen’s meeting Wednesday night, Sterling explained why he voted against the board as a whole sending a letter of support.
“I think I’m like Jolene,” Sterling said after the vote. “I don’t want to get into other towns’ affairs. Again, if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.
“But if there’s reasons that this would be better for Jay, I don’t think the request is unreasonable, but I’d like to hear the other side, I guess, before making a final decision,” he said.
“Well, I’ll tell you, I’m disappointed in the rest of you,” Volkernick said.
“Well, good for you,” Lovejoy said.
“I think John does a good job for us and, like Jolene, I’m very glad he’s our senator,” Sterling said.
“I’m disappointed,” Volkernick interjected.
Town Manager Carlo Puiia said he has a template for that letter of support should any selectman wish to draft their own and submit it.
Buccina said he would do that.
“We should invite any citizens who want to do that, as well,” Buccina said.
“For the record, he’s got my support,” Volkernick said.
“And he’s got ours, too,” Buccina said.
During a break after selectmen adjourned to another room for an executive session for union negotiations with the Fire Department, Puiia said Patrick cited similarities between Jay and Rumford.
“Especially with the paper mill that exists and our concern for jobs and the support of that industry,” Puiia said.
He said that previously, Jay had been moved into another district. Then, in 2003, the community was placed back in Senate District 14, Puiia said.
In other business during the 60-minute meeting, selectmen approved requests from the following:
* Rumford Comprehensive Plan Committee to place the Comprehensive Plan Update on the June 2013 budget.
* Envision Rumford for a letter of support for the local economic development group’s application to the Maine Downtown Center’s Networking Program.
* River Valley Farmer’s Market to close the portion of Exchange Street between Congress and River streets on Fridays from May 10 through Oct. 11 this year.
* Route 2 Diner for a liquor license application.
* Sons of Italy social club for a liquor license application and special amusement permit.
* Police Chief Stacey Carter to lift the winter parking ban unless weather requires snow removal.
* Sunday River Farms to travel across a posted road.
* Le Paresseux Club for a parade permit for St. Patrick’s Day.
Selectmen also appointed former Selectman Frank DiConzo as an RSU 10 director to fill a vacancy until the June 11 election. DiConzo still serves on the Vocational Region 9 school board and formerly served on the SAD 43 board.
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- Sen. John Patrick, D-Rumford, asked for a letter of support Wednesday night from Rumford selectmen to keep Jay in Senate District 14. A redistricting committee is trying to move Jay out of the district, which Patrick represents.
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