Street sweeping underway in Rumford

RUMFORD — Street sweeping, which includes picking up the winter sand, began on Routes 2 and 108 this week.

Town Manager Linda-Jean Briggs told selectmen Thursday that weather and equipment permitting, the future collection of sand will be in the following order:

• Franklin-Hancock and Hancock-Falmouth streets;

• Rumford Avenue-Lincoln Avenue;

• Franklin-Spruce and Lincoln Avenue-Route 2;

• Lincoln Avenue to the high school and Swift River Park;

• Virginia section;

• All other outlying areas.

“Please note: Do not rake the sand into piles as it negatively impacts our ability to pick it up and causes equipment damage,” Briggs said. “If you’re clearing your property of sand, put it in the street so that it is level.” 

The schedule will be placed on the town’s Facebook page and website.

In other business, selectmen voted 3-2 to approve Fire Chief Bob Chase’s nomination of Samantha Cote as the utility firefighter. Opposed were Jim Windover and Mark Belanger.

Chase said Cote was evaluated through the hiring process about eight months ago.

“She is completely qualified and meets all the requirements required within the first year of employment, including her Firefighter I, a CDL driver’s license, and has taken a hazmat technician’s class.”

He said Cote will be on a flexible schedule because the purpose of the position is to reduce overtime costs. Chase said that savings offsets the expense of the utility firefighter position.

Board Chairman Jeff Sterling announced that Seth Carey has submitted a petition to consider a secondary marijuana ordinance.

That petition carried the necessary 25 validated signatures, so selectmen will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in Rumford Falls Auditorium to determine what action to take.

The board approved the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus bid from Fire Tech & Safety of Winthrop. Chase said Rumford’s share of that bid is $71,155. The overall bid of $92,215 includes Mexico and Oxford County fire.

Selectmen approved the appointment of Pam Kaubris as voter registrar until Jan. 1, 2019.

A 10-year land permit renewal was granted to the Rumford Riders ATV Club.

bfarrin@sunmediagroup.net

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