MEXICO — Selectmen appointed two reserve officers Tuesday night on the recommendation of police Chief James Theriault.

Joseph Sage, a full-time police officer for Rumford Police Department, and James Scott, who Theriault said also works as a reserve for Dixfield Police Department, were appointed.

The Police Department has been understaffed since full-time officer Kyle Matthews resigned. Theriault said another officer is on medical leave.

“We hope to have him back by the end of next week,” he said.

Theriault also informed the board he has not received any applications for Matthews’ position since posting ads two weeks ago.

He expressed concerns when Matthews resigned that the last time the department advertised for a police officer they received no applications.

Selectman Richard Philbrick asked that the board hold an executive meeting with Theriault after the next selectmen’s meeting.

“I just want to talk with the chief and see what can be done and where we are at,” he said.

Theriault told the board that even after overtime to cover for the lack of officers, the department should be under budget this year.

Selectmen also reached an agreement with the police union to increase employees’ contributions to the town’s health care plan by 4 percent.

Town Manager John Madigan said the town is still in negotiations with the public works union and any agreement reached after December on the contribution to health care will be retroactive.

Selectmen approved having all nonunion employees contribute 4 percent to the plan.

Madigan also advised the board that the monthly payments to Med-Care would decrease by $300 a month due to a decrease in population.

“We are looking at a couple of thousand in savings,” Madigan said.

In other business, Selectman Reggie Arsenault had approached the board concerning donations through the town to the GRAMPA food pantry.

Philbrick said he would rather see selectman donate to the charity instead of using town funds.

“I think it’s a good idea, instead of dipping into the town funds all the time, the selectmen step up and help out,” Selectman Byron Ouellette said.

The board agreed and donations were collected during the meeting.

Copy the Story Link