With the upcoming voting on Nov. 2, Mexico residents will be asked to vote on a new “seasonal fire permit.”

The permit that has been in effect since June 2014 was written by our former fire chief, the late Gary Wentzell, and the planning board at the time.

Chief Wentzell was concerned about the Mexico residents. He was concerned about prohibiting burning leaves in an outdoor fire pit or barrel. He and the board worried about polluting the air and the chances of smoldering ashes going up in the air to land anywhere, therefore potentially creating a fire.

The present planning board is in favor of keeping this ordinance as is, and does not support the new ordinance drawn up by our new fire chief.

Reginald Arsenault, chairman, Mexico Planning Board