MEXICO — Thanks to a grant and a donation, the Fire Department saved significantly on the purchase of a four-gas monitor.

At the Nov. 20 meeting of the Board of Selectman, Fire Chief Richard Jones said his department ordered a gas meter at a reduced cost of $720. He said these meters can cost as much as $1,400.

He told the board that Town Manager Jack Gaudet secured a $420 Maine Municipal Association grant that will reimburse the department for the meter.

Clyde Wardwell Jr., representing River Valley Taxi, listened to Jones discuss the meter, then reached into his pocket for $50 toward that cost, reducing the final cost to $250.

Jones said this will be the department’s second gas meter, which will be placed on a second truck. The meter is used at first-responder scenes to monitor gases, including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and propane, and measures a percentage of the lower explosive limit.

In other business, following a public hearing, the board approved issuing a taxi cab license to Wardwell of River Valley Taxi, 242 Waldo St., Rumford.

At the start of the meeting, Board Chairman Richard Philbrick presented Mexico’s Citizen of the Year award to Nghia Ha, who was not able to attend the award presentation at the Oct. 18 Night of Appreciation.

At the Night of Appreciation, Selectman Cliff Stewart said Ha has made a “tremendous difference in the appearance of one of our most cherished spots in town.”

He added, “Thanks to this individual, and her team of helpers, our Memorial Greens look beautiful, clean, are filled with flowers and shrubs blooming from spring to fall.” 

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Mexico Board Chairman Richard Philbrick presents Mexico’s Citizen of the Year award to Nghia Ha. (Bruce Farrin/Rumford Falls Times)