RUMFORD — Rumford voters passed all articles Tuesday, adopting an $8.344 million budget, according to Town Clerk Beth Bellegarde.

Using figures supplied by Finance Director Debbie Laurinaitis, the increase, minus the bond and initiated articles, is $258,307 (or 3.19 percent). With the initiated articles and a bond payment, the increase is 5.29 percent.

That does not include projected revenues.

Among the areas with the largest increases:

* The town attorney account is increasing from $24,000 to $50,000. Town Manager Linda-Jean “LJ” Briggs said that increase is due to “anticipated legal costs” because of a number of projects going on in the area.

* Another $50,000 is earmarked for the economic development account. There is $212,000 in that account.

* The account for the code enforcement officer is increasing from $33,586 to $54,632. Briggs recommended turning the part-time position into a full-time position.

* Fire Chief Bob Chase said his biggest increase is $18,000 for the utility position, which represents the last of the incremental increases over three years to bring the department back up to three men per shift. Currently, the department still has 50 days with shifts of two men.

* Police Chief Stacy Carter said within his budget is an estimated $8,200 that will be used to reorganize the space that now has eight holding cells, reducing the holding cells to two and using the remaining space to create a work station.

* Public Works Director Andy Russell said there are funds in the capital equipment account earmarked for a new plow truck. An additional expense will be an $8,000 flashing sign for a crosswalk on Franklin Street, requested by Holy Savior School.

* Briggs said there is an additional $3,000 in the selectmen’s budget, to be used for a recognition event for volunteers and employees. Selectman Peter Chase said the event will be similar to the Night of Appreciation that neighboring Mexico holds annually.

bfarrin@sunmediagroup.net

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