MEXICO – The town’s financial difficulties netted another casualty Wednesday night when Selectman Monique Aniel submitted her resignation.

Aniel, an ardent supporter of fiscal responsibility for what she believed to be essential services, wrote in her resignation letter that her decision to step down was prompted by her frustration with the town’s deficit and with the apparent lack of support for facing the matter quickly.

“I feel isolated in my sense of urgency. Therefore, rather than destroying my health with frustrations, I feel compelled, albeit regrettably, to resign from my selectmen’s position effective Dec. 22, 2004. I fervently wish that more citizen input will come forward on defining what services are essential, since indeed our financial situation is precarious,” she wrote.

Aniel is a former SAD 43 board member and retired physician. She has been a selectman for about a year and a half. She finished out the term of Robert Lyons in June 2003, then won a full, three-year term in June 2004.

Because of the town’s financial difficulties and lack of a town manager after the end of the year, selectmen Wednesday said they want to hold a special election to fill Aniel’s seat until the annual election in June.

After the board meeting, Town Clerk Penny Duguay said a special election could be held by late February or early March. The board will decide the issue at its meeting Jan. 12.

The town’s deficit is estimated at about $300,000, including nearly $200,000 taken from various reserve accounts to help with cash flow. Overdrafts in several departments also contributed to the shortfall.

In a related matter, the board nullified all previous votes on budget cuts, except for a purchasing freeze, taken by the board since Nov. 1. Board Chairman Arthur Bordeau said all suggested cuts will be acted upon at one time. The board plans a budget workshop at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 6, when all municipal departments and costs will be studied. A vote on cuts will likely be made at the board meeting Jan. 12.