MEXICO — Selectmen appointed a new
police officer Tuesday night, bringing the force to five.

Brad Gallant of Rumford, who has been
serving as a reserve officer for the Mexico Police Department since
October, began his new full-time duties Wednesday.

Chief Jim Theriault submitted two names
for the position.

The board voted 3-1 in favor of
Gallant, with Chairman Barbara Laramee not voting, and Selectman
Reggie Arsenault opposing the appointment.

The creation of a fifth police officer’s position
is the result of a $180,017 federal stimulus grant for three years.

In other matters, the
board awarded the purchase of a former bakery building on Osgood
Avenue to Ken Lambert of Brentwood, N.H., and Marla Michaels of Portland
for $8,500. They also awarded the purchase of two woodlots totaling about 11 acres
on the Backkingdom Road to Thomas Beedy of
Mexico for $21,100. Both properties were acquired by the
town for nonpayment of taxes.

The next board meeting is rescheduled
for Sept. 16.

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