MEXICO — Selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday evening to place “No Parking” signs on a section of Burton Street to provide safer access for sanding and firetrucks.

Town Manager John Madigan said he received complaints from the Highway Department after they had difficulties sanding the street. Having cars park on both sides of the road makes it difficult for a firetruck to respond to an emergency due to the lack of space, he said.

Resident David Gile, who lives on Burton Street, said he’s seen unregistered and uninspected cars parked on the opposite side of his house, sitting right on top of a catch basin drain.

“One day, I saw the Highway Department come in to clean out the catch basin,” Gile said, “and they looked at the cars parked on top of the drain, threw their hands up in the air and drove away. It’s a problem when they can’t even do their job.”

Gile said he’d “hate like heck to see ‘No Parking’ signs put up because a few people are abusing the street,” but that he “would understand if they voted to do so.”

Selectman George Byam said after hearing some of the points brought up at the meeting, it would “be negligent to not do something about the situation,” citing the difficulties a firetruck would have maneuvering the road during an emergency.

As a result, the board voted to place “No Parking” signs on one side of Burton Street, up to the first driveway.

Selectman Byron Ouellette suggested the board draft a letter to residents who would be affected by the new signs to warn them about the change.

In other business, Madigan reported that the board of trustees at the Mexico Congregational Church voted to allow the town to use a section of its property for additional parking spots for the Recreation Center.

Madigan said the trustees were “very receptive to allowing the town to use the land for parking.” They asked that the corner markers on the property to remain intact, the board preapprove any construction work, and the town maintain liability for the construction.

With the addition of the new property, Madigan said the Recreation Center may get an additional 20 parking spaces.

The board also unanimously approved a proposal to allow resident Frank Anastasio to place barricades on a section of Main Street for his second annual car show on May 30, 2013. This year, he held the Mexico Cruise-In in the parking lot behind the Fire Department and Town Office.

“It was a huge hit,” Anastasio told selectmen. Orgnizers are “trying to start it earlier and get some more businesses interested in sponsoring us,” he said.

Selectmen agreed that the car show is a good boost for local business and allows people to come to look at cars from all around the state.

There were people from as far as Berlin, N.H., at the first show, Anastasio said.

Selectman Reggie Arsenault told Anastasio he should talk with people at the Family Dollar store and other local businesses to make sure the barricade doesn’t interfere with them.

[email protected]