MEXICO – Selectmen on Wednesday authorized the town manager to take steps to replace the boiler in the Mexico Recreation Center.

Town Manager Joseph Derouche said the cost for replacement is likely be be about $50,000, which the town hadn’t anticipated.

The furnace is at least 20 years old, apparently doesn’t meet several state codes, has sections corroded that cause leaking, and cannot be certified by the state, Derouche said.

The town is looking into possible insurance coverage for some of the replacement cost as well as taking some funds from the building’s renovation account. A portion of the cost may also appear on the 2004-2005 municipal budget, which is being developed.

He said the boiler can continue to be used until it is replaced in two or three weeks. The hot water portion of the boiler has been turned off to ensure safety.

The purchase was approved by a 3-0 vote.

Also on Wednesday, Derouche said the town received $8,900 in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to help pay the cost for public works overtime hours during the December snow storms.

Derouche said a new Curves for Women exercise studio is scheduled for a grand opening on April 26. The new business will open its doors as the third, and final tenant in the town’s new mini-mall located on Main Street that also houses a Subway sandwich shop and Viewer’s Choice Video store.

He said work is under way to try to find tenants for the Mexico Plaza, located a few hundreds yards west of the mini-mall on Main Street. The video store moved from the site a few months ago.

Other agenda items include:

• Announcement for the next Citizens Advisory Board meeting for 6 p.m. on March 16 at the town office.

• Road Commissioner David Errington said the boiler in the town garage on Route 17 has developed problems that may cost up to $1,200 to repair. The town will pay the service bill while at the same time check into the boiler’s guarantee. The boiler was installed about two years ago.

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