MEXICO – Selectman Richard Philbrick narrowly defeated challenger A. Byron Ouellette for a second, three-year term Tuesday.

Philbrick, 38, a public works employee for neighboring Rumford, got 216 votes to Ouellette’s 187.

Ouellette, 61, a self-employed tire dealer and a longtime member of the town’s Budget Committee, was making a first-time bid for elective office.

Philbrick has served one three-year term, and finished the remaining two years of Louise Waterhouse’s term.

Former Selectman Reginald Arsenault beat out three others to finish the year remaining in former Selectman Arther Bordeau’s term.

Arsenault, 56, had served six years on the board, and currently sits on the Planning Board, the Budget Committee and the Northern Oxford Solid Waste Board. He received 197 votes.

Others vying for the seat were: former selectman and current school board member Betty Barrett, who polled 152 votes; Mabel Merrill, 18 votes; and Andrew Dupuis, 31 votes. Dupuis announced last week that he was not pursuing the seat.

Selectmen will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the town hall to organize for the upcoming fiscal year.

Just over 400 residents turned out Tuesday, and Town Clerk Penny Duguay called that figure average.

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