MEXICO – Despite Tuesday’s grueling heat, humidity, heavy rain and violent thunderstorms, 388 voters hit the polls here, approving a $2.49 million municipal budget at the town meeting referendum.

The fiscal 2009 budget is $3,651,074, up 8.39 percent or $282,769 over this year’s $3,368,305. That includes the municipal budget, county budget of $65,819 – up $3,449 – and SAD 43 assessment of $1,094,843, up $129,434.

Incumbents Peter Merrill and Barbara Laramee were re-elected in four-way race for two three-year selectmen seats. Merrill garnered 185 votes, and Laramee got 264 votes, while opponents Elizabeth Jorgensen tallied 149 votes and Randal Camwell had 99 votes.

Because no one decided to run for Jorgensen’s vacated SAD 43 seat, selectmen will appoint someone at an upcoming meeting. They will have a pool of several write-ins to choose from, Town Clerk Penny Duguay said Tuesday night.

Voters also authorized selectmen to borrow $200,000 through a loan of up to 10 years to replace the Thad White Bridge over Ellis River. Dixfield town meeting voters agreed last month to pay their half. The Maine Department of Transportation will then reimburse Mexico for half of the cost.

An attempt by planners and selectmen to regulate yard sales was OK’d 252-120. According to the ordinance, people will be required to pay a fee to get a permit to hold a yard sale, which can only be conducted up to three consecutive days.

After that, any signs advertising said sale have to be removed. People are limited to four yard sales annually.

Signs also must be 4 square feet or less and contain and display all contact information and the permit number. The ordinance also carries fines of not less than $10 or more than $100 for failure to comply with any of its requirements.

Regarding some of the referendum money items, voters OK’d raising and/or appropriating:

• $776,142 for public safety;

• $680,239 for public works;

• $347,996 for administration;

• $246,697 for solid waste; and

• $124,762 for recreation.

By a 258-114 tally, voters agreed to increase the property tax levy limit of $1,243,457.

Selectmen will set the tax rate at the board’s regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the town hall.