MEXICO – A special meeting to try to work out a resolution between Mexico and Rumford about a proposed truck route bypass has been called for the end of the month.

The motion was unanimously agreed to by selectmen after a 40-minute public hearing Wednesday night. Nearly a dozen businesspeople voiced fears over the possible diversion of hundreds of trucks and cars away from their stores.

“We’re solidly together on this,” said board Chairman Arthur Bordeau. “But we want to bring about a compromise in a meeting with Rumford in an appropriate way.”

The board decided that meeting in Rumford might be the best idea. The tentative time is 6 p.m. Sept. 29, possibly at the American Legion Hall in Rumford.

Besides Rumford officials, police, fire and emergency organizations from both towns, the Route 2 Corridor Committee, the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee, MeadWestvaco representatives, as well as members of the public are invited. Town Manager Joseph Derouche said efforts will be made to find an impartial third party to facilitate the meeting.

The session, which would be the first to have both towns sit down and discuss the issue, was dubbed, “A Worksession for a Safer Route 2.”

At issue is a proposed designated truck route that would divert trucks – and studies have shown passenger cars too – off a section of U.S. Route 2 that travels through Mexico’s business district, as well as several narrow and sometimes winding streets through Rumford.

Rumford officials have argued that the designated truck route is a safety issue. They have also said if truckers or passenger vehicles want to have lunch or spend money in Mexico, they could continue traveling on Route 2, particularly if signs were posted pointing the way to businesses.

Mexico officials believe the designation of such a route would devastate the towns’ businesses.

John Thomas, owner of Thomas Shoe Store, said he was preparing to retire and sell his business. Because of the possibility of a truck route, he said three people have looked at his business, “and turned cold. This scared them off,” he said.

Greg Arsenault, owner of Maddy’s Pizza, said he gets many truckers and summer visitors in his restaurant. “If they bypass, I won’t get that business and don’t know how long we could hold on,” he said.

On Wednesday, different safety issues that could occur were mentioned.

Kevin Arsenault, a former trucker, said he thinks it would be more dangerous for trucks to turn left from Route 2 into the mill yard, or to make the sharp turn onto Route 108, which would be part of the bypass route.

Gary Wentzell believes adding more trucks to the traffic through the mill yard would increase the danger, while others said trucks would speed up as they came closer to Morse Bridge. With increased truck traffic, the sturdiness and size of Morse Bridge was also questioned.

Derouche said such a bypass could also hurt existing and future Rumford businesses along the Route 2 intown streets. Speaking as president of the River Valley Growth Council, he said, “We are about to make a proposal that would rejuvenate the Waldo Street (Rumford) area. This is survival of the area,” he said.

State Reps. John Patrick, D-Rumford, and Randy Hotham, R-Dixfield, said the meeting was both positive and eye-opening.

“I’m hoping Rumford will come to the table for the good of both communities. I love both towns and want this peacefully resolved,” said Patrick.

Hotham said the issue seemed to trade one safety issue for another. He said he will continue to help out however possible.

“A compromise is important. The decision must be made on facts, not emotionality,” he said.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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