MEXICO — Following a brief executive session Tuesday night, the Board of Selectmen voted 4-0 to upgrade Dean Benson to a full-time police officer.

Police Chief Roy Hodsdon said Benson will fill the vacant fifth position, which is paid for through a Community Oriented Policing Services grant.

Lt. Dan Carrier said Benson has been a reserve officer with the department since 1999.

Selectman Reggie Arsenault said a condition of Benson gaining full-time status is that he attend the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro by next summer.

In a related matter, Hodsdon said he applied for $5,400 in grants and has received $4,400, which is being used for new portable radios, cameras and a storage unit for a computer.

Town Manager John Madigan said the Police Department also applied for a $500 grant through the Maine Municipal Association.

Hodsdon said the department is eligible for the funding, which would allow Carrier to attend a Taser instruction class.

In other business, Recreation Director Wayne Sevigny reminded the board that with basketball starting the third week in November at the Mexico Recreation Center, “We’re going to have serious parking issues again, especially when it starts to snow.”

He said some 220 children played in basketball leagues there last winter. That includes a large contingent of parents who watch them play.

Another issue is the Police Department is also on Recreation Drive.

“When our cruisers need to leave, it’s hard to get out,” Hodsdon said. “It’s great what the Rec Department is doing and I don’t want to complain.”

Carrier said another issue involves having a path kept open so a rescue vehicle has access in case there is a medical emergency.

“We have a limited parking area until we can get a second parking lot developed further,” Arsenault said.

No one suggested a solution.

Madigan said there were three applicants for the interim library director’s position. They will be interviewed Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Town Office. The interim position will expire June 30, 2016.

Serving on the interview committee will be Madigan, Board of Selectmen Chairman Richie Philbrick and four people from the library advisory board.

Director Valerie Messana, who held the position for more than 14 years, resigned as of Oct. 1.

All regular hours at the library are being covered. Tracey Daigle, a part-time librarian at the Rumford Library, covered four days a week with Sharon Madore, a part-time library employee and library advisory board member taking the fifth day.

Selectmen voted 4-0 to appoint Jennifer Kreckel as town attorney. Kreckel is also town attorney for Rumford.

bfarrin@sunmediagroup.net