RUMFORD — The Board of Selectmen Thursday voted unanimously to hold a special town meeting on Monday, Nov. 21, to address four outstanding items. 

The meeting time will be set at a later date.

The four items up for consideration are:

• to accept the Route 108 bypass as a town way;

• any land transfer issues requiring a town meeting vote;

• approval of tax-increment financing district at the former Puiia Lumber property area; and

• development of a moratorium in case referendum Question 1 passes, which approves the use of recreational marijuana.

Before approving the special town meeting, selectmen had a discussion on the Maine Department of Transportation’s guidelines to establish the Route 108 bypass as a town way. Included was an Oct. 28 deadline to inform MDOT if the town wished to pursue this plan, which had the board’s unanimous support.

Further, MDOT would only approve this bypass if it was one-way only, from Route 108 into the downtown.

Road Commissioner Andy Russell estimated to make this a town way could cost the town $45,000, which includes guardrails and signage.

Town Manager John Madigan said he was told by merchants that having the bypass this summer worked well because of the extra traffic onto the island.

Establishing the bypass as a town way would also require a town land swap with Lee Buotte, owner of the former Agway property located near the bypass. Selectmen discussed this issue in an executive session following the regular meeting.

The proposal to expand the TIF district from the top to the foot of Falls Hill is a request by the developers of the hotel project, according to Jim Rinaldo, economic developer for Rumford.

At the last meeting, Madigan read a letter from town attorney Jennifer Kreckel about the recent issue of the Greater Rumford Community Center being located next a medical marijuana production facility.

“You may want to be more proactive about a moratorium if Question 1 passes so that the town can consider zoning issues for recreational marijuana production and sales,” Kreckel wrote.

In other business, the board approved a pickup truck for $26,894 from O’Connor Motors for the Parks Department, and a three-quarter ton pickup with plow from O’Connor Motors for $29,500 for the Public Works Department. Each vote was 3-2.

In both cases, Selectmen Mark Belanger and Jim Windover voted against.

The vehicles were approved by townspeople in the capital plans, but board members agreed that they need consider making changes to the board’s purchasing policy.

Board Chairman Jeff Sterling recommended that a meeting be held within the next couple of weeks with department heads to discuss the policy. One item under consideration is part of the policy that requires that any purchase over $5,000 has to go to the board with three bids.

The board approved the winter parking ban, which begins with the first plowable snowfall in November, but no later than Dec. 1.

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