RUMFORD — Thelma Giberson, the longtime General Assistance director in Rumford, is retiring, effective Nov. 27.

Town Manager John Madigan announced the news at the Board of Selectmen meeting Thursday.

“This is going to be a terrific loss to the town,” he said. “She’s done a really excellent job for the town for all these years. We’re certainly going to miss her, but I think she’s also given us enough time to begin to find someone.”

Board of Selectmen Chairman Brad Adley asked how many years Giberson has served the town.

Madigan asked Executive Secretary Terri Palmer, who said it’s been at least 20 years.

“Good for her,” Adley said.

In recent years, the town of Mexico also contracted with Giberson for $5,000 to take care of its General Assistance program.

At the start of the meeting, both Mexico and Rumford selectmen formally signed contracts to extend Madigan’s contract for the 2015-16 fiscal year.

The towns, which share the town manager, both voted to extend Madigan’s contract in organizational meetings following the June 9 vote.

Adley said, “It seems to be working. I wish we had him more, but it’s regionalization at its best. That’s how I feel about it.”

This will be Madigan’s third combined contract, which began with a six-month trial in 2013.

Madigan said the terms were the same as the previous year, with each town paying half his salary plus $5,000 extra from each town for working for two towns, and each town pays half of the health insurance. There was also a 1.5 percent wage increase from both town budgets.

He said his salary is around $77,000. Madigan didn’t know the total because the contract is by the week.

Asked if the experience of being manager in two towns was getting any easier, Madigan said, “It hasn’t been any easier, but it’s doable. It hasn’t stressed me out. I’ve been town manager in both towns for a long time, so I can do that. It’s not like there’s any conflicts between the two.”

Madigan works in Rumford on Monday and Thursday, and Mexico on Tuesday and Friday. Wednesday is a split day in the two towns.

The approval for the lease of town property to Wow-Za! Ziplines LLC was tabled again by selectmen until their next meeting Aug. 6.

Madigan said an email from Public Works Director Andy Russell indicated that he wasn’t sure of the exact location of the parcel to be leased at the town’s snow dump. He said it was recommended that the parcels be surveyed first.

Consultant Jim Rinaldo also added the language of the lease agreement has not been finalized.

On June 9, residents voted 745-505 in favor of leasing three parcels along the Androscoggin River so developer Wow-Za! Ziplines can build a zip line park. One lot is north of Morency Park on the east side of the river, one is across from Rite Aid, and the third is near the town’s snow dump on Rumford Avenue.

Wow-Za! Ziplines members are Tom Carey, Jim Sysko and Seth Carey, with Rinaldo acting as a consultant.

Rinaldo said Wow-Za! Ziplines has already gained the approval of the Planning Board.

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