DIXFIELD – Selectmen unanimously authorized Town Manager Tom Richmond to pursue a plan with neighboring Mexico to replace the Coburn Avenue bridge.

Richmond said Tuesday afternoon that Mexico Town Manager John Madigan attended Monday’s Dixfield selectmen’s meeting to discuss the replacement of the bridge that spans the Webb River.

The bridge could cost up to $200,000 to replace, Richmond said. He and Madigan plan to meet with representatives from the Maine Department of Transportation to discuss the state paying half the cost. The remaining cost would be divided between the two towns.

Richmond said an article will be added to the annual town meeting warrant asking for approval to go ahead with the bridge replacement. He said the town’s share would be financed over 10 years. The town meeting is set for May 22.

Richmond said the issue came up suddenly because of the availability of a ready made bridge in Connecticut that would cost less than building a bridge from scratch.

“The town of Mexico needs to move on it,” he said. “We’re looking to join with Mexico to regionalize services, and if that, then with this bridge.”

The narrow bridge between the two towns has been restricted to three-ton traffic, which means emergency vehicles cannot cross it, for several years.

Also on Monday, following a closed session, the board appointed public works employee Leo Jolin as lead man for the four-person crew until July. At that time, he will become the working foreman of the crew. As foreman, he will receive an additional $2 per hour.

The reorganization and reduction of the public works crew resulted in the elimination of the position of public works director. Tim Hansen, who held the position for several years, will leave his job on May 4. The reorganization also reduced the size of the crew from five to four.

Richmond said the reorganization was approved as part of a March 10 union decision, but Richmond proposed the change.

He said a public works director is no longer needed because supervisory and other duties for both water and sewer have been contracted out.

Selectmen also agreed to require the owners of eight properties with liens against them to pay their taxes. If taxes aren’t paid in full, the properties will be put up for sale.

Another 10 property owners many continue making payments toward owed taxes. Richmond said the arrangements were made prior to a decision by the board to no longer work out payment plans.