MEXICO – Two familiar faces will rejoin the Board of Selectmen at its next meeting.

Incumbent Selectman George W. Byam was re-elected to a second three-year term Tuesday, and former Selectman Arthur E. Bordeau, who had served 15 years, will also return.

Byam received 254 votes, Bordeau 219 and Liz Jorgensen 185.

Bordeau replaces longtime Selectman Reggie Arsenault, who did not seek re-election.

For the first time, similar to neighboring Rumford, residents adopted a 2007-2008 municipal budget through secret ballot at the polls rather than a town meeting.

Residents approved all 13 money articles, including one that allows the town to exceed the property tax levy limit as mandated by the state without voter approval. Residents approved going above the tax cap levy by 226-126.

They also approved holding a referendum next year to adopt the municipal budget. The vote was 215-137. Voters also adopted a new changeable sign ordinance, 271-79, and amended the current land use ordinance, 264-81.

The adopted municipal budget of $2,340,276 is about $178,000 higher than this year’s.

All social service agency requests, which totaled $15,492, were approved by 251-144.

All public safety items, such as police, fire and street lights, totaling $760,615, were approved 272-123. Public works, at $572,741, was approved 267-86, and administration, at $330,658, was approved 273-114.

The closest money vote, the unclassified account, which included such items as economic development, retirement contributions and code enforcement, was approved 213-138.

The changeable sign ordinance will allow two-second timing and scrolling of messages, but not pictures or animation. It was approved 271-79.

The land use amendment, among other things, expands the size of the downtown commercial district to Richards Avenue. It was approved 264-81.

Residents also had a chance to fill out a nonbinding survey that asks whether people want to increase, decrease or keep the same services provided by the highway, police and fire departments, the town office, library and recreation program.

Town Clerk Penny Duguay said selectmen will review the data over the next few days.