PERU — Fire Chief Bill Hussey invited selectmen Monday night to participate in a multitown exercise on making decisions during emergency events.

The exercise is scheduled for Jan. 14 for the towns of Rumford, Mexico, Dixfield and Peru, and the New Page paper mill in Rumford.

Oxford County Emergency Management Director Scott Parker will supervise the exercise in which participants are confronted with a developing emergency situation requiring their decisions. Scenarios may include mass casualty events, evacuations, fires, automobile accidents and similar situations.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Laurieann Milligan was highly supportive of the exercise and encouraged the other selectmen to attend.

In other matters, the board discussed the proposed contract for the TRIO suite of town computer software. Residents recently approved the purchase.

It will cost $12,450 plus $6,000 in professional services to get the system working. The first-year maintenance cost will be $3,075 and includes training, technical support and program updates.

Maintenance in subsequent years will be $3,625.

Milligan instructed Town Clerk Vera Parent to get historical maintenance cost data from the company.

Selectmen delayed issuing a building permit for a seasonal camp on Green Woods Road until the code enforcement officer can verify that the owner has complied with an earlier order to replant trees on the property.

Marsha McKenna of McKennel’s Animal Adoption Agency in Rumford notified Animal Control Officer Dan Carrier that the shelter can accept cats again. It had stopped taking cats after an outbreak of a virus that killed 12 cats.

The board elected Tim Holland as assistant chairman.