The Citizens Advisory Board will consider data from “Keep Mexico Moving.”

MEXICO – Dozens of ideas have been aired and a consultant discussed. Now it’s time to get down to business and decide what specific steps the town wants to take to “Keep Mexico Moving.”

In late April, more than 40 people came up with ideas to improve the town economically, socially and recreationally. The Citizens Advisory Board, organizer of that event, will take the six pages of notes and ideas, and try to prioritize what can be done now, what can be done in the short-term and those projects that may take several years to complete.

The entire project is part of the revision of the town’s economic development marketing plan, said Town Manager Joseph Derouche.

“We’ll decide now what pieces we can afford,” he said.

Focusing on downtown

A majority of those who turned out for “Keep Mexico Moving” night want to continue to focus on improving the downtown area. Ideas most often raised were bringing in a movie complex and a hotel/motel with a pool that could be used by the public.

Derouche said he is working toward both.

Residents also want to increase pride in the community through annual festivals, new signs and continued beautification of the town.

He said the facilitator of the forum, Management Intervention Services of Rockland, probably will be hired to revise at least a portion of the town’s economic development plan. Other committees and groups in the town will assume responsibility for other portions.

At 6 p.m. on May 18, the Citizens Advisory Board will get together to sift through the dozens of ideas, he said. Their recommendations will then go to the Board of Selectmen on May 26 for possible approval.

He said the board should have at least another eight to 10 people to work on the committee.

Other suggestions from residents were:

• Bring a dry cleaning business to the area.

• Approve the town’s Pine Tree Zone for future industry and business development.

• Conduct studies on income and demographics.

• Bring a family friendly recreational business to the area.

• Highlight a Mexico business each month.

• Revitalize Mexico Plaza.

• Continue work on the walking trail and expand it.

• Establish a connection with a town in the country of Mexico or with another town in the United States named Mexico.

• Develop a mascot and a focal point.

• Remove abandoned buildings.

• Build on the Mexico theme.

• Bring in more restaurants with ethnic diversity.

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