RUMFORD – The River Valley Growth Council is no longer a property owner.

The former Diamond Match mill in Peru was sold at auction Wednesday morning to James Dolloff for $29,500.

Rich Allen, council president, said he doesn’t know what the plans are for the 90,000-square-foot complex of buildings located on about eight acres.

But finding a new owner is a relief.

The council spent thousands of federal environmental dollars cleaning hazardous materials at the mills. And last year, a portion of the mill was consumed by a fire accidentally started by a group of teenagers.

The mill is next to a railroad siding, and in a state sanctioned Pine Tree Zone that provides tax incentives for businesses that locate there.

Dolloff could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.

Also at Wednesday’s regular council meeting, the board voted to extend a contract with Diane Ray as a consultant and acting director for the organization. She will be paid $3,000 a month for three months. She has been serving in the role since April 1.

Whether the contract will be extended beyond the end of September won’t be known until a subcommittee is formed to study whether the council could or should hire a full-time director or stay with contracted assistance.

“There’s a different dollar amount for contracted people and employees,” said Vice President Richard Lovejoy to comments made by Jennifer Stowell and Seth Carey, a council member.

Stowell had said that some people perceive the council as taking care of its own, first by hiring Rosie Bradley as director, who has since moved on, then by hiring Ray, who had been a council representative from Canton.

“There are people out there who could do the job,” she said. Earlier she had said she has a background in economic development and had waited for such jobs to be advertised, and would be willing to work for three, six or more months.

Council member Norine Clarke of Dixfield said Ray fit the needs of the council because of her knowledge, expertise and contacts.

“We’re getting our money’s worth,” she said.

Carey said the council’s credibility is at stake because something tangible should be shown to have been accomplished by the group.

Among the most recent new businesses reported in the area is a financial group in the River Valley Tech Center and the expected location of a dental practice within the next few months, said Allen.