RUMFORD – Voters will have a chance on Jan. 9 to cast a nonbinding ballot on whether they want a new library, a major renovation to the existing one, or just enough work to meet codes.

The decision came after a request by the Library Growth Committee’s chairwoman for the selectmen to approve the committee’s choice of an architect to create a concept design for a new facility on the site of the former Stephens High School.

Kathy Sutton, committee chairwoman, recommended Thursday night that the board approve hiring Scott Simons Architects of Portland at a cost of $13,700. Simons had conducted a feasibility study of the proposed project several years ago.

“They’ve had a good history with us, and we received the best feelings and responses from our questions,” she said.

The committee had interviewed four of the eight architectural firms that had applied earlier in the week.

Selectmen decided to wait on granting any approvals until after the Jan. 9 straw poll. That poll will take place at the same time as a referendum question on a major $4.9 million renovation and expansion project for the Region 9 School of Applied Technology.

The library committee had wanted to wait until June for a decision by Rumford residents so they would have time to conduct public hearings and informational sessions on the possibility of building a new library to replace the 1903 Carnegie structure.

The decision to hold a straw vote on Jan. 9 was made by Selectmen Arthur Boivin and Mark Belanger. Selectmen Jolene Lovejoy and Greg Buccina were absent, and Chairman Jim Rinaldo does not vote unless there is a tie.

Rinaldo expressed concern that the library committee had chosen Simons Associates because the firm’s original bid had come in at $20,000.

“We have a bid process. Would you have considered them if they hadn’t cut $6,300?” asked Rinaldo.

Sutton said they decided to interview Simons Associates because of their past work with the committee. If the figure had stayed at $20,000, she said the committee would not have been able to hire them. She said the firm initiated the reduction in price.

“It was not our intent to undermine the intents of others,” said Sutton. “In no way did we mean to muddy the system.”

Town Manager Steve Eldridge said the committee based its decision on what members thought would be the best for Rumford.

“The bidding process was fair,” said Eldridge. “This company had the best experience with Rumford.”

Resident Kevin Saisi said he believed the issue was not about numbers but about the process, while another resident, Tom Fallon, wanted to know if Simons knew of the bids by other firms.

The firm’s representative offered to reduce the cost to $13,700 after learning that some of the details placed in the proposal were not needed by the library committee.

Sutton said after the meeting that the straw poll will give the committee a starting point for what needs to be done before the referendum question is brought to the public in June.

Rinaldo said the board should allow the committee to go ahead with developing its conceptual plans since the money to pay for it would come from a grant and from the library trustees. The library committee has $15,000 to work with.

Belanger said the board would likely take another look at the request once the Jan. 9 poll is taken.