MEXICO – The Mexico Water District board voted to end its contract with Dixfield for operation of its water department on Jan. 29.

The door wasn’t completely closed, though.

Following the hour-long meeting, Mexico trustees agreed to discuss a possible future contract with their neighbors sometime after its Jan. 17 meeting. And they agreed not to leave Dixfield high and dry.

If the town hasn’t found other means of operating its water department, Mexico water district employees will continue to help, at least for 30 more days, on a motion by trustee Byron Ouellette.

At issue was a number of things that upset the Mexico trustees, some made public, others not.

The towns signed an agreement last month that provides for the operation of the Dixfield water system by Jim White, Mexico Water District operator, at an annual cost of $60,000.

Dixfield’s Water Committee had also recommended the agreement.

A short time later, Dixfield Town Manager Jeff Jacobson, while looking to the future needs of the town, “batted around an idea to see if Jim would want to come on board for the water and sewer departments.”

“It was not definitive. The board was not aware of most of it, and because of the timing, it blew up and got away from us. The best thing for Mexico and Dixfield water users is to continue the contract,” he said.

Dixfield board Chairman Bettina Martin, who knew about the discussion with White, said the idea wasn’t to try to make such a change immediately, but in July, if it was done at all.

“We were not talking about dropping the contract,” she said.

Mexico Water Trustees, however, were upset that Dixfield would try to steal their water operator, in the words of Ouellette.

“I don’t know if it’s ethical or not, but I don’t think it’s nice to try to steal another town’s employee,” he said.

Trustee David McDonald, who made the motion to end Mexico’s contract with Dixfield, said other issues, besides the potential job offer, were reasons for ending the agreement.

“That’s not the whole issue. There are other items that don’t concern Dixfield, and I don’t want to bring them up,” he said, adding later, “We have to look out for our ratepayers. Mexico’s a poor little town.”

Dixfield Selectman Brenda Turbide took issue with a possible job offer after the board approved the contract.

“Yes, it’s within the town manager’s rights to hire and fire, but there was no position to fill. It is out of his right because we had made a contract. I see we have our own issues to work out as a board,” she said.

Dixfield Selectman Brad Dyer defended Jacobson’s decision to look to the future.

“It’s Jeff’s responsibility to look out for the town of Dixfield. The timing may not have been great, but he looked out for the best interest of the town,” he said.

Dixfield Water Committee Chairman Sonya Fuller said she has been pleased with the work the Mexico trustees and water committee had accomplished.

“I hope we can bring some resolution. I’d like to see the contract resolved,” she said.

Water Board Trustees Chairman Ernie Robichaud, an advocate for regionalizing the River Valley, said trying to work together can sometimes be difficult.

“There’s going to be a bump in the road,” he said.