MEXICO – Selectmen learned of two grants Wednesday night that are expected to increase security and make mapping the town more accurate.

Town Manager Joseph Derouche said a Rural Development grant for $3,000 for a laptop computer and map printer will be used by the town’s assessor to more effectively map properties.

Another grant, expected to be just over $13,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will go to the Mexico Police Department. The funds are part of federal money earmarked for national security efforts for the purchase of specific security equipment.

Also on Wednesday the board agreed to look into devising a policy that could require smokers to move away from the outside doors of the town office whenever they go out to smoke.

Selectman candidate Marjorie Richard suggested the policy in response to complaints she has heard from people who enter the Calvin Lyons Hall from the basement at the rear of the building. The hall is part of the town office complex.

Also on Wednesday, the board:

• signed the SAD 43 2004-05 proposed $14.3 million budget. Residents of the four towns will now discuss and vote on the budget June 3. They must also validate a final proposed figure at referendum on June 8.

• signed the warrant for the annual town meeting set for June 7.

• rejected a bid for a town-owned 0.15-acre parcel with a four-unit abandoned apartment building located on Mexico Avenue. Officials will now discuss whether any of the neighboring properties may want to buy it.

Following a 45-minute closed session, the board voted to require the town office’s three hourly employees to remain in the office during lunch breaks. These paid lunch breaks were also reduced from one hour to a half-hour. Town Clerk Penny Duguay said the reason for the change was to eliminate insurance liability.

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