MEXICO — Selectmen voted unanimously this week to have the Bicentennial Committee return half of any leftover money from this year’s celebration to the town, up to $5,000.

The committee decided to give the other half to the Mexico Historical Society.

The board voted in April 2017 to provide the committee with $5,000 to help with the celebration of the town’s 200th anniversary in 2018.

Board Chairman Richie Philbrick said his recollection was that the board agreed to give $5,000 so the committee could get a $2,500 Walmart grant, and it would be paid back.

Town Executive Secretary Jenn Blodgett said minutes from the April 2017 meeting didn’t specify the money would be returned.

Bicentennial Committee Chairwoman Sheryl Briggs said the committee’s minutes indicated the town donated the money with the stipulation that any left at the end of 2018 would be returned.

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“Because of the financial uncertainty, I don’t think we would have guaranteed to return the money,” she said. “We were not under the impression that we were required to return the money.”

Town Manager Jack Gaudet said his recollection was that the $5,000 was to help the committee fundraise for the Mexicopoly games and any left would go the Mexico Historical Society for a new museum roof.

Selectman Reggie Arsenault estimated the repair would be $4,500.

Briggs said the committee has $10,600, but there are expenses associated with events such as $800 for an outdoor movie in September, fees for at least one band for the bicentennial parade in August, and insurance premiums for the woodsmen event.

Selectman Byron Ouellette asked if the committee had any money-making events.

Member Marilla Couch said they will charge vendors for the craft fair at the Mountain Valley Middle School in September, but some of the profit would pay for a custodian.

Ouellette said it’s not the board’s intent to “petty” about the $5,000. “We applaud the effort by the volunteers of the committee.”

Selectman Reggie Arsenault suggested the committee put out donation buckets at its events.


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