MEXICO – Cats, general assistance policies, secret ballots for town meetings and a new business opening were among issues selectmen meandered through Tuesday night.

Town Manager Joseph Derouche said Viewer’s Choice Video was officially opening on Wednesday, to be followed in about a month with the opening of a larger, diner-styled Subway in the same mini-mall complex on Main Street.

The new video store will result in the loss of two parking spaces adjacent to the entrance, he said, to provide safer sight distance for patrons. The video store moved from a much smaller location at the Mexico Plaza. He said plans are under way to find a new business to lease the now-vacant storefront.

Subway Restaurant will move from Congress Street, Rumford, into the mini-mall in mid-December. Along with the move and larger space, Derouche said about 15 employees have been hired to work in the restaurant. The third unit of the complex has yet to be filled.

In response to a complaint brought up by Selectman Barbara Larramee about a resident living next door to a house with at least 30 cats, Derouche said residents should call the town’s new animal control officer, Anne Simmons-Edmunds. He said residents should make a written complaint for such problems.

The cat problem, he said, is not only town-wide, but statewide.

“The legislature deals with at least 15 bills every session trying to deal with cats,” he said.

In Mexico, at least three areas of town are affected by an overpopulation of the animals. He said people should call Simmons-Edmunds at 357-9947 with such problems.

In other matters, the board asked Derouche to look into the requirements, benefits and disadvantages to holding referendum votes on matters that are generally taken up in open session at the annual town meeting.

“I have spoken to many people and they are in favor of this,” said Selectman Monique Aniel.

If the town was to make the change, residents would have to do so in a traditional town meeting. At least two public hearings would be held prior to the town meeting vote.

Some believe a secret ballot, known as the Australian ballot, may bring more people out to vote, unlike the 50 or so who show up now each June to vote by a show of hands at the annual town meeting.

The board also asked Derouche to look into the legality of setting up a portion of the general assistance policy as a local ordinance. At issue is a section that appears to require the town to pay for housing people for up to six months if they must be sent to a hotel or motel. If the town can find housing for them in an apartment, the town’s responsibility is for only 30 days, if they are eligible for general assistance.

Also on Monday, the board:

• Appointed Wesley Raynor to a seat on the Citizens Advisory Board.

• Approved adding the name of veteran James M. Eaton to plaques honoring veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

• Approved placing two “Children Playing” signs on Pine Street and adding the wording, “when children are present” to the two 15 mph hour signs near Mountain Valley Middle School. Derouche was also authorized to look into a grant that could pay for installing flashing lights near schools when children are present.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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