RUMFORD – At a special meeting Monday, selectmen turned down a request by businessman Ron Theriault to schedule a special town meeting to consider recalling board Chairman Jim Thibodeau.

Last week, during the regular board meeting, Theriault presented a petition signed by 27 Rumford residents asking for a special selectmen’s meeting to consider holding a special town meeting.

Theriault, who was not present at Monday’s meeting, said Thibodeau should be recalled because of what he called his negative attitude toward existing business and unwillingness to cooperate with other towns and organizations to promote economic development.

Town Manager Robert Welch said he believes there is no provision in the town charter or the town’s bylaws for residents to recall an elected official.

The bylaws do, however, provide for the recall of a selectman by the board for a variety of causes, such as lack of attendance or conviction of a crime.

Welch said the town’s lawyer, Jennifer Kreckel, is checking into the charter and bylaws for any other provision that may relate to the recall of a selectman.

Before the vote, Thibodeau said the charges were unfounded and that in 14 years as a selectman he has missed only one regular meeting.

“I’ve made decisions that some haven’t liked. The only ventures I choose to do are to benefit the town,” he said.

Selectman Jolene Lovejoy said Thibodeau was re-elected just over a year ago, and his attitude has not changed since that election.

“We don’t always agree on this board, but that’s a plus, not a minus,” she said.

Thibodeau abstained from voting on the special town meeting request. Lovejoy and Selectmen Jim Rinaldo and Robert Bradley voted against the request. Selectman Jim Peterson was absent.

Two residents attended the special Monday afternoon meeting. One of them, Tom Fallon, said he had disagreed with Thibodeau on some issues, but didn’t believe he should be recalled.

“I feel you are doing the best you feel for this community. This (meeting) is a waste of time,” he said.