RUMFORD – A referendum question that would eliminate the traditional town meeting and give residents a chance to vote by secret ballot on budget items came one step closer Thursday night when selectmen agreed to discuss the matter with the town’s lawyer.
About 1,000 residents who signed the petition requesting the change was turned into the town clerk earlier this month.
Selectman Mark Belanger, an advocate of the change, said more people would make municipal decisions if the vote was by referendum.
He said only about 100 or so people turn out for the annual town meeting, while 500 usually vote during the June vote and about 1,700 vote in November.
“People would have the whole day to vote,” he said.
He said the annual June town meeting would likely become one of two public hearings that would give people a chance to discuss the various budgetary items.
Town Manager Steve Eldridge said the town’s lawyer, Jennifer Kreckel, believes the question could go on the June referendum if the language in the petition is clarified to show the intent.
The board agreed to meet with Kreckel on Jan. 5. At that time, they will also discuss possible changes to the town’s charter, as she recommends. Whether a Charter Commission will be established to review the document and make recommendations as well has not yet been determined, said Eldridge.
If the town should change to referendum ballot on the municipal budget, a procedure would also be required to provide for additional votes if a particular part of the municipal budget is turned down.
Board Chairman Jim Thibodeau, who has supported changing to a town council form of government largely because of the low turnout at town meetings, supported bringing the question to referendum in June.
“Maybe it would be controversial enough to bring people out,” he said.
If residents approve the change, it would go into effect in June 2007.
In other matters, the board approved taxi cab licenses for Road Hog Express and River Valley Taxi; appointed public works director Andy Russell as alternate code enforcement officer; and approved an automobile graveyard/junkyard permit for Olin Bernard.
The board entered into a closed session with the town manager to discuss labor negotiations with the public works, firefighters and police department bargaining units.
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