MEXICO – Selectmen on Tuesday accepted a list of 12 streets that need work, taking another step toward possibly obtaining a bond to pay for some of the improvements.

Town Manager John Madigan and Road
Commissioner David Errington surveyed the streets and avenues and presented the list. The cost to do them all would be $2.9 million, but Errington said he and Madigan will prioritize
the work and review any other areas the board believes should be included.

The 12 streets and avenues are: South Main Street, Fourth Street, Alder Street, Oxford
Street, Granite Street, Putnam Street, Colby Street, Mexico Avenue,
Mount Street, Dalton Street, Swett Avenue and Backkingdom Road. Some require sidewalk, storm drain,
guardrail, riprap or ditching work.

“We can certainly justify borrowing
for roads,” Madigan said. He reported that
the town owes about $155,000 as its share of construction of a new bridge connecting Leavitt Street in
Mexico with Coburn Avenue in Dixfield.

He said with a municipal valuation of
$106 million, the town would be allowed to borrow up to $15 million,
although he’s not proposing it be done.

However, he said at the town allocated
average of $150,000 a year toward municipal road work, the designated
roads and any others that might fall into disrepair would likely
never be done. And at the same time, costs for repairs would rise.

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Madigan will bring further details and
prioritization to the board’s next meeting Sept. 2.

In other matters, the board banned dogs
from the lawn area around the gazebo at the rear of the town
office. Selectman Reggie Arsenault said the
Planning Board will likely put together an ordinance that requires
that owners clean up after their pets. Madigan said a nuisance
ordinance already in effect could be used to enforce the ban. It also
lists penalties.

The board also approved a toll road fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, between
Big Daddy’s Car Wash and NAPA Auto Parts on Main Street. Money raised will meet
expenses for a Mountain Valley High School student trip to Washington,
D.C., in the spring.

eadams@sunjournal.com



MEXICO — Selectmen welcomed Tuesday night the Police Department’s reserve officers Matt Boucher of Byron and Brad Gallant of
Roxbury. Boucher conducted his first
patrol this week, and Gallant has served since
October.

Board Chairwoman Barbara Laramee said
the town maintains an open-door policy. “If you have any comments, talk with
Town Manager John Madigan,” she said.

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Selectman Reggie Arsenault said he has
heard reports from residents that they have seen the cruisers on some
of the back roads. “You do a good job. Keep it up,”
he said.

Selectman Phil Merrill said he has
heard how well-mannered and well-groomed the town’s officers are, and
Selectman George Byam added “respectful” to the list of good
qualities.

“We hope to do this in the future,” Laramee said of the face-to-face meeting.

Mexico Board of Selectmen Chairwoman Barbara Laramee welcomes two of the Mexico Police Department’s reserve officers, Matt Boucher of Byron, left, and Brad Gallant of Roxbury. The board plans to invite new reserve officers to their meetings to get to know them.


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