RUMFORD – Selectmen on Thursday decided to look into one of the options raised at a joint meeting of the Rumford and Mexico boards held earlier this week to discuss a proposed truck bypass.

Selectmen Jim Peterson said he sees an opportunity to resolve the question by using the weight of a truck as a determining factor on whether it should be diverted off a section of Route 2.

At issue is a request by the Rumford board for the Maine Department of Transportation to designate a truck route bypass off a section of Route 2 that includes Mexico’s primary business district. Rumford officials have said the truck route is needed to protect people living along the narrow streets in that Route 2 section. Mexico officials have said that passenger vehicles often follow trucks along bypass routes, resulting in a severe loss of business.

At the joint meeting held on Tuesday, Mexico Selectman Monique Aniel suggested using the weight of the truck. Peterson thinks that could be a reasonable compromise.

“I detected interest in this on Mexico’s part,” said Peterson. “I want to go to a Mexico selectmen’s meeting and discuss it.”

If tonnage is used, a bypass sign would not be posted, only a sign that directs vehicles weighing more than 80,000 pounds,

for example, to use the proposed bypass. Also, because it would not be an official bypass route, it would not show up on AAA or other traffic route plans many travelers use.

Although the Rumford board agreed that a meeting could be beneficial, Selectman Jolene Lovejoy said the MDOT representatives were quiet about the suggestion. She questioned whether such a sign could be posted.

At least one other selectman will likely attend a Mexico selectmen’s meeting with Peterson. The bypass issue is also scheduled to be discussed at Mexico’s next meeting on Oct. 8.

In other matters on Thursday, the board voted to buy a new heavy, dark green velvet curtain from a Quebec firm for the stage in the upstairs Municipal Auditorium. The 32-by-24-foot current curtain was installed soon after the Municipal Building was built in 1916. The cost, of approximately $5,500, will come from the building’s account.

Selectmen also:

• Appointed SAD 43 employee Rick Rockwood to a seat on the Parks Commission.

• Heard an update on progress made so far at Black Mountain from Roger Arsenault. The family-oriented ski area was recently purchased by Maine Winter Sports and is being expanded.

• Reported that unregistered vehicles have been left at the town’s snow dump along the Androscoggin River. Town Manager Robert Welch will ask the police department to check on them.

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