MEXICO — Selectmen on Tuesday night approved hiring a new police officer and accepted the resignation of another.

Zachary Bisson of Livermore Falls was hired full time after a recommendation was made by Chief James Theriault and Lt. Roy Hodsdon.

Bisson is a part-time officer for the Oxford Police Department and Mechanic Falls Police Department, Mexico Town Manager John Madigan said.

Hodsdon said during a phone call at the meeting that Bisson was very energetic and loyal. He also said that he has gone above and beyond with on-the-job training, which is required to become a full-time police officer in Maine.

Bisson has more than 600 hours of on-the-job training; the state requires 40, Hodsdon said.

Bisson must attend the Maine State Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro to complete his training, Madigan said.

The board also accepted the resignation of officer Joshua Aylward. He had been with the department for a year but had chosen not to attend the academy.

Due to time requirements by the state to complete the course within a year, he had to resign, Madigan said.

Selectman also held public hearings for trailer park license renewals and addressed concerns surrounding Brandy Pond LLC trailer park on Pine Street.

Selectmen questioned owner Russell Oakes of Portland about whether he has addressed several concerns they have had over the past year, which include septic issues, unsightly trailers and debris on the property.

The board also discussed how multiple trailers on the property had tax liens on them, including 10 from 2011 and others from the previous year.

Oakes said he would work to pay those off and was also working to address or has addressed the concerns the board had previously mentioned.

“This discussion is a carbon copy of the one we had last year,” Selectman George Byam said. He said he would like to see Oakes follow through with promises he made to the board.

Reggie Arsenault moved to not renew the license until Oakes could meet with David Erringtion, the code enforcement officer, so Oakes could show how things have improved within the trailer park.

In other news, the board decided on a cover and dedication for the town report.

Selectman Richard Philbrick suggested a picture from the Memorial Day parade where local fallen solider Buddy McLain was honored.

McLain, a Mexico native, was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan in 2010 along with five other service members when an Afghanistan police officer opened fire on the group.

The board also approved the dedication be made in McClain’s honor and a second dedication be made to Greg Arsenault who has spent years serving the town as recreation director.

ecox@sunjournal.com

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