MEXICO – The Board of Selectmen agreed to allow resident Rich Vitale to reopen the Mexico Fitness Center if he provides the board with a certificate of insurance beforehand.

Vitale told the board the earliest he could open the center is Friday, March 1, because it would “give him time to find volunteers, get stuff set and do some cleaning.”

Selectmen discussed whether they should give Vitale a six-month trial period to evaluate his performance. Vitale explained that if he were to open the Fitness Center, his insurance would require a one-year policy.

Selectman Peter Merrill said, “We all agreed to give Mr. Vitale a fair chance. I think we should give him a full year to prove himself.  He has a solid plan, and he should have a chance to get it in place.”

Town Manager John Madigan agreed, adding that “if he starts in March, he's going to lose some business in the summer, when gyms are typically slow.

“I say we wait until September, when gym membership usually picks up, and see where he's at,” Madigan added.

Chairman Richie Philbrick said that even if they give Vitale a year to get the Fitness Center up and running, he'd still like to meet with him in six months to “see where the business stands.

“Once you bring in the certificate of insurance to us, on March 1, you can rock and roll,” Philbrick told Vitale.

In other business, selectmen agreed to dedicate the 2011-12 town report to Roland Berry, the former fire Chief of Mexico who died Jan. 19.  The board also agreed that Norbert “Norbie” Gallant would be presented in the “In Memoriam” section of the report.

Later, Philbrick held a moment of silence for resident Melissa Mann, who recently passed away. Selectman Byron Ouellette suggested that the board purchase a plaque to dedicate to her.

“I think that's a great idea,” Philbrick said, agreeing to split the $35 cost of a plaque with Ouellette.

“She's provided years of dedication to this community,” Ouellette said. “I think it'd be a nice thing to do.”

mdaigle@sunjournal.com