RUMFORD — Voters will decide whether to allow the town of Rumford to accept the donation of a building at 127 Washington Street and the cash to demolish it at a special town meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at the Rumford Falls Auditorium.

During a June 5 selectmen’s meeting, Town Manager John Madigan told the board that Wells Fargo wished to give a building at 127 Washington St., which had been recently foreclosed, to the town, along with $19,000 to demolish it in lieu of repairing it.

Normally, towns acquire old buildings through nonpayment of taxes by owners who walk away from them.

Madigan assured selectmen that the process Wells Fargo is using has been utilized in other towns, including Mexico, where he also serves as town manager.

Madigan added that the selectmen couldn’t vote to do what they want with the offer, because according to town law, the board would have to call a special town meeting and let residents decide whether to accept the $19,000 along with the building, agreeing to demolish it.

mdaigle@sunjournal.com