MEXICO – The jobs of at least three municipal employees were reduced from full-time to part-time as selectmen continued to work on cutting the town’s deficit Tuesday night.

The board trimmed just over $21,000 from the current year’s budget.

Taking the hits were the positions of recreation director, librarian and municipal buildings’ custodian. Reducing these three positions to 25 hours per week eliminated $7,700 in salaries, and $11,000 in health insurance premiums.

Also slashed were the stipends for members of the town’s Budget Committee and Planning Board, totaling $2,500.

Each department head planned to make proposals for reducing their current year budgets, as well. Selectmen at a previous meeting had eliminated their salaries.

The town is faced with a financial deficit of about $300,000. The precise figure is not yet known, pending a final audit.

About $197,000 is owed to the town’s various reserve accounts. About $103,000 more is the result of overages is several accounts.

Board Chairman Arthur Bordeau said a meeting for next week is being planned to meet with the auditor, town clerk, bookkeeper, assistant to the town manager and town manager to discuss municipal finances.

Town Manager Joseph Derouche said a package of various finance-related questions has also been forwarded to the town’s lawyer for review.