RUMFORD — With winter comes slippery, ice-glazed steps and walkways that can lead older Mainers to be stranded in their homes.

That was the inspiration behind a new sand for seniors delivery program, which will be introduced later this month, according to Police Chief Tony Milligan.

Addressing selectmen during a Zoom meeting Thursday, Milligan said, “Other towns do this and I kind of thought this would be a really good thing for Rumford to have the Rumford Police Department and Public Works to do.”

In other communities, he said, the police department and/or public works will deliver a bucket to a senior who can’t get out or has difficulty getting out during the winter months.

“I thought it was a really neat idea, good for the community, good for the department and community relations,” said Milligan.

He said he spoke about it a couple weeks ago with Public Works Superintendent Dale Roberts, who expressed excitement about the program.

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“Dale (Roberts) has reached out to Aubuchon’s and Sherwin-Williams, and we got commitments from both to donate 100 buckets with covers,” said Milligan. “We’re in the final stages of putting together that program.”

He said they’ve contacted some of the other communities in the state already doing similar programs to see how they’re vetting and how the registration process works. “We hope to be able to have a very similar program kicked off in the next week or two.”

“We’re very excited about being able to do that,” said Milligan.

Other business

Theresa Sax, elected to a three-year term as a Rumford representative to the Med-Care board in June, has resigned that position due to health reasons.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Chris Brennick said the Med-Care board carries a weighted vote, “so if we don’t have a person on that board, we lose some of our voting power.”

Brennick made a motion to advertise the position, seeking people interested in serving the remaining 2 1/2 years of the unexpired term on the Med-Care board.

The goal is to have the selectmen appoint someone to the position by at least early January.

It was also announced that Maureen Cook has resigned from the Rumford Library Board of Trustees.


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