RUMFORD — The Rumford Parks Department will consider asking for an increase in its 2016-17 capital plan to begin a project to replace the lights in the Hosmer Field Complex.

Parks Superintendent Mike Mills on Wednesday asked selectmen for direction on getting an additional $75,000 to $80,000 to get started on the new lighting.

“When it comes to your capital plan, put in what’s needed to do what you want to do,” Board Chairman Jeff Sterling said.

“I don’t think this board can speak for the entire Finance Committee to do or not do it,” Sterling said. “But I think, do it, then when it comes to that point in the budget, there’ll be 10 of us up here to discuss it. Just ask the question. You’ll never know if you don’t ask.”

Selectman Peter Chase added, “It’s not up to us to set your budget. It’s up to you guys in the Parks Department. Bring it to the Finance Committee, present your information and see what they have to say.”

Mills estimated the cost of the LED lighting to be around $190,000, with the project to also include a tower on the other side of the complex, where there is no lighting.

“As long as we know we’ll have that (additional) money in our capital plan, we can proceed with the lights,” he said.

Mills noted that if they’re not able to replace those lights in the near future, Parks is going to ask that the high school football team go from the traditional Friday night games to day games on Saturday.

In a straw poll question offered at the June town meeting, voters favored the town spending the money to replace both the lights and the track.

If they’re able to proceed with the lights in 2017, Mills said, they will try to replace the track in about three years. The track would remain the same size with an asphalt surface.

In other business, Town Manager John Madigan read a letter to the board from Town Attorney Jennifer Kreckel about the recent issue of the Greater Rumford Community Center being located next a medical marijuana production facility.

“You may want to be more proactive about a moratorium if Question 1 passes so that the town can consider zoning issues for recreational marijuana production and sales,” Kreckel wrote.

Question 1 on the Nov. 8 ballot would legalize recreational marijuana in the state. 

[email protected]