MEXICO – The man who has been more responsible for the redevelopment and rejuvenation of this town than any other person submitted his resignation as town manager Wednesday night.

“It is with a heavy heart that I submit my resignation,” said Town Manager Joseph Derouche. “Things do change.”

Derouche has been town manager of Mexico for 10 years. Prior to that, he served as a selectman for several years. His resignation is effective Dec. 31.

“I have been preparing you for my departure. This has been a very tough decision for me and I only hope that you continue the efforts of developing our community,” he said in a written statement.

Derouche, who suffers from a chronic debilitating disease, and selectmen have been rearranging his schedule and reducing his working hours for the past couple of years. Road Commissioner David Errington has taken on some of the Planning Board-related duties, and office staff have taken on more of the day-to-day operation of the town office.

“More and more development is coming to Mexico and I am glad I have been a part of this redevelopment process,” he said. “Remember positive thinking, attitude and actions bring positive results.”

Among the changes he has been largely responsible for include new sewer and water lines, the widening of Main Street, bringing Wal-Mart and several other businesses to the town, hundreds of thousands of dollars in community development grants, and a major face-lift for downtown stores.

Selectman Reggie Arsenault made the motion to accept Derouche’s resignation.

“It is with deep regret that I move to accept this resignation. We’ll be hard-pressed to fill his shoes, with his vision. Everyone in this town owes him gratitude. Everything he has done has been for the well-being of the citizens,” he said.

Selectman Monique Aniel recognized the amount of will it sometimes took for Derouche to do the work he has been doing for the past couple of years.

“I have been amazed by your spirit.” she said.

After a nearly hour-long closed session to discuss the resignation, the board agreed to pay Derouche’s health insurance premium through June 30, 2005, and to credit him with four weeks’ vacation and two personnel days.

The board set a special meeting for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 1, to discuss the procedure for finding a new town manager. And in a separate matter to be discussed at that meeting, to plan a strategy for making up a municipal deficit.

Besides Derouche’s resignation, Rumford’s Town Manager Robert Welch has also resigned, effective at the end of the year.