RUMFORD – Selectmen on Thursday unanimously agreed to launch a petition drive to gauge interest on whether to ask the Maine Department of Transportation to designate a truck route bypass around a section of Route 2.

Selectman Jolene Lovejoy made an unsuccessful plea to first sit down with the Mexico Board of Selectmen to try to work things out.

The two towns are at odds over Rumford’s proposal to designate a truck route bypass that would circumvent Mexico’s downtown business district. Rumford officials have argued that large tractor trailer trucks winding through Route 2’s narrow streets in town pose a safety hazard to children and other residents.

“I really want Mexico to know that our issue is with trucks, not tourists,” she said. “We’ve got to work together in this day and age in the interest of community welfare.”

Mexico officials, and most of that town’s businesses, are concerned that passenger vehicles would follow trucks along a designated truck route, adversely affecting downtown businesses.

Board Chairman Jim Thibodeau, in advocating for the petition, said, “I think it is fruitless to have a meeting (with Mexico) without something to show the beliefs of Rumford people.”

The petition, asking whether a bypass is wanted, will be directed at Rumford residents only. Once signatures are gathered, Thibodeau said he will request a joint meeting with MDOT officials and the Mexico Board of Selectmen to discuss the proposed bypass.

Petitions will be available in several Rumford businesses as well as at the Rumford Municipal Building. Selectmen set a 30-day deadline for gathering signatures.

The Division 7 MDOT head engineer, Norman Haggan, recently denied Rumford’s request for a bypass because both affected towns didn’t agree. Rumford officials vowed to take the matter to the MDOT commissioner.

Meanwhile, Mexico launched its own petition drive last week opposing the bypass. That petition, due back on Sept. 24, allows any Maine registered voter to sign.

Also, the Mexico board is holding a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, to take comment from residents on the proposal.

As requested by the town of Rumford, the proposed truck route would leave Route 2 at the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Mexico, connect with Route 108, cross Morse Bridge in Rumford, then reconnect with Route 2 at the foot of Falls Hill. Coming from the west, it would bypass Franklin Street, a portion of Rumford Avenue, a portion of Hancock Street and Lincoln Avenue, and instead stay on Route 108 where vehicles heading east would then cross the Veterans Memorial Bridge and connect with Route 2 just east of Mexico’s business district.

Rumford officials have also argued that strategically placed signs along Route 2 could direct passenger vehicles into the village of Mexico to conduct business.

eadams@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link