MEXICO – Selectmen met with representatives from four Rumford and Mexico towing companies at Wednesday night’s board meeting to work out a rotation schedule for towing duties at accidents and for other needs.

After a lengthy discussion, and a few heated exchanges over past history between Mexico police Chief Jim Theriault and Andy Dupuis Sr. of Andy Dupuis Towing and Salvage of Mexico, selectmen voted 4-0 to implement a rotation schedule starting New Year’s Day.

Dan Richards of Dan’s Automotive Repair of Rumford broached the topic, reading a statement. He said Mexico police had not called his service to tow in Mexico more than five times in the past year. He and others sought a rotation schedule like Rumford has, and said if there was a schedule, towing companies on it would be very dependable.

“We, as a group, are looking for a fair rotation schedule,” Richards said.

Others seated with him were Brad Adley of Adley’s Auto Sales of Rumford, Dupuis and his son Andy Dupuis Jr., and Gary Chiasson of Bisson and Hebert of Rumford.

“This is not a witch hunt against Roland’s. Any one of us in that position would be happy to have the business,” he added, talking about Roland’s Automotive of Mexico.

At a previous board meeting, Theriault said he uses Dan’s and Roland’s, citing the latter’s dependability and fast response speed.

Selectman Reggie Arsenault agreed with Richards, saying that Mexico police should be fair to all towing companies in the area.

Theriault said a rotation schedule doesn’t work, but, in a subsequent exchange with Andy Dupuis Sr., said Mexico has never had such a schedule.

Richards said each towing company there only wanted its fair share of calls.

Theriault, when pressed again by Dupuis Sr., said if Mexico police had a rotation list, they’d follow it.

Dupuis Sr. continued pressing the police chief before asking him why he wouldn’t call him for towing needs.

That’s when Theriault erupted, yelling, “Because the last time I called you, you were drunk in your wrecker.”

Dupuis Sr. told him that was eight years ago, while Andy Dupuis Jr. asked Theriault why he didn’t call him.

Selectmen’s Vice Chairman George Byam ended the shouting match and Arsenault motioned to create the list by using Rumford’s wrecker rotation schedule and adding Dupuis’ company.