RUMFORD – Selectmen granted nonunion employees a 3 percent salary increase for the coming fiscal year at Thursday’s board meeting.

Board Chairman Jim Rinaldo said the salary increase for union and nonunion employees must stay below 3.6 percent because of the state-imposed tax cap.

Union employees received a 3.5 percent increase earlier in the fiscal year.

The nearly 80 people who turned out for Thursday’s meeting also heard a plea from Linda French, who has been heading up a fund drive for the past four months to purchase dress/ceremonial uniforms for the town’s police department.

She said the uniforms are expected to be delivered within four weeks and $1,978 is needed for payment.

“This community needs to stand for and behind something. The Police Department would be a good place to start,” she said.

Her husband, William French, who heads up the Downtown Revitalization Committee, announced that the new slogan and logo have been selected.

The new slogan, which will appear on signs and other promotional materials for the town, is “Rumford – Gem at the Foot of the Falls.”

In other matters during Thursday’s lengthy meeting:

• Selectman Greg Buccina apologized for using several words many objected to in a news story in his reaction to the termination of former Town Manager Stephen Eldridge. “I usually try to watch my words more carefully. I spit out some emotional words, what with what we’ve been through the past few months,” he said.

• Selectmen declined to dissolve the Municipal Building Committee on a motion by Arthur Boivin. Board Chairman Jim Rinaldo said the committee, which meets on Monday at 4:30 p.m. with architect Jim Reuter to discuss the renovation plan for the building, will continue to meet until at least the remodeling process begins.

• Selectmen learned that the auditor will complete his annual task by next week and will present a management letter at that time. Selectman Jolene Lovejoy brought up the issue, adding that many people are behind in paying their property taxes this year.

• Most people attending the meeting applauded when Lovejoy finished reading a letter from Eldridge that said, in part: “Despite all the misinformation and lies, it was an honor to work for the town. I have always believed Rumford was filled with promise, and I am hopeful the committees will continue. Citizens must first be willing to invest in their own community.”

Lovejoy asked those attending to look inside themselves and ask if they are doing the best for the town. She asked the community to move forward.

• The board accepted the resignation of businessman and developer Lem Cissel from the Land Use Ordinance Committee. Cissel is from Maryland, where he will be spending more time.

• The board appointed businessman Ron Theriault as a member of the Board of Appeals. He had served as an alternate.