MEXICO – Selectmen on Tuesday agreed to continue allowing the Rumford Fire Department to call for the Mexico Fire Department’s ladder truck, at least for the time being.

The Rumford department asked for the assistance in July so it would have time to outfit its new truck. That was to last until mid-October. However, additional time required to train Rumford firefighters on the truck combined with difficulty finding temporary garaging for it led to a request to extend permission for the Mexico ladder truck to be used.

Mexico Fire Chief Gary Wentzell said his department’s truck has been called out just over a dozen times since July, but most of those times it was part of the mutual aide agreement between the two towns.

“Most times, we would have gone anyway,” he said.

Selectman Reggie Arsenault was concerned that the truck was being used longer than anticipated.

“It puts a lot more burden on our truck,” Arsenault said.

Wentzell said Rumford allowed Mexico to tone out its ladder truck in the past.

“When we were down and out, they helped us,” he said.

Selectmen authorized Wentzell and Town Manager Joseph Derouche to meet with Rumford fire Chief John Woulfe to discuss how and when the Mexico ladder truck would be called out, and to try to determine how much longer the agreement will be in effect.

In other matters, the board appointed two members to the Citizens Advisory Board, a committee charged with working toward the economic development and beautification of the downtown. They are retired teacher Linda Petrie and William Petrie. That committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday night.

Retired business owner Ed Carey was appointed to a seat on the Planning Board. Still needing members is the Appeals Board. Only two of the required five seats are filled, meaning that issues cannot be heard.

Also on Tuesday, the board:

• Authorized Derouche to apply for a Maine Department of Transportation Community Gateways Program Grant of up to $10,000. The grant, if received, would help fund such things as signs, benches, landscaping, fountains and other beautification projects.

• Banned parking during the winter on the north end of Orchard Street where it intersects with Route 17. Road Commissioner David Errington said the road becomes so narrow from accumulated snow that emergency vehicles cannot get through.

• Approved junkyard permits for Cogley’s Auto Parts on Route 120, Andy’s Towing and Salvage on Backkingdom Road and Dick’s Auto Sales on Backkingdom Road.

• Approved mobile home licenses for Young’s Trailer Park, Jones Trailer Park, Gaudet’s Trailer Park and Waugh’s Trailer Park.

• Commended the fire department for working with Med-Care Ambulance Service during a recent emergency.

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