RUMFORD – Selectman Jim Peterson, at Thursday’s meeting, said he plans to pull a meeting together within the next two weeks to discuss the proposed Route 2 truck route issue that may solve the disagreement between Rumford and its neighbor, Mexico.

At issue is a proposed truck route by Rumford that would circumvent most of Mexico’s downtown business district by diverting traffic off Route 2 and onto Route 108.

Rumford and Mexico selectmen, along with the Maine Department of Transportation, met on the matter a couple of weeks ago. Since then, Peterson has met with the Mexico board to discuss a possible solution.

Instead of an official truck route designation that studies have shown also diverts much needed passenger vehicle traffic, a sign pointing large trucks weighing 80,000 pounds or more to an alternative route could be posted.

“There would be no reference to a truck route bypass,” he said. “This may be something that will work.”

Also to be included in the meeting of the two boards would be the public works directors from both Mexico and Rumford.

In other business Thursday, the board approved extending the municipal sewer line about 850 feet up Franklin Annex so six new mobile homes and a new home and barn could be built. The request was made by landowners Brian and Laurie Frost who own 6.5 acres in the Franklin Annex area.

Town Manager Robert Welch said the town crew would do the work in the spring. In the meantime, he said, the Frosts must get a trailer park permit from the state. He said the cost to the municipal sewer district would be about $30,000

eadams@sunjournal

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