William Cook, a former Paris and Mechanic Falls police officer, begins work immediately as a reserve officer and will become full time in May, Town Manager John Madigan said. Cook replaces Zack Matthews.

The board this week also settled a three-year contract with the Public Works’ Department’s five employees. Their contract expired June 30, 2011. Madigan said health insurance matters delayed approval of a new contract.

The union and the town agreed to no wage increase for 2011-12. During the fiscal year beginning July 1, employees will receive a 2 percent wage increase, and starting July 1, 2013, it will be 3 percent.

The agreement also calls for Public Works employees to pay the percentage increase for health insurance premiums equal to the percentage that other municipal employees pay.

Selectmen also agreed to begin the certification process to become an “Open for Business” town, as Gov. Paul LePage has promoted.

The action followed a presentation by the newly hired director of the Western Maine Economic Development Council, Glen Holmes.

The Police Department received approval to relocate its offices from the Mexico Recreational Center building to an adjacent building that once housed the former SAD 43’s central offices. The department will use the entire first floor.

About $200 is needed to hook up computers, Chief Jim Theriault said.

The department has been located in the recreation building for several years, but with the increase in activities, the building has become too noisy. The new site offers a quieter space and more space, Madigan said.

Summer hours for Public Works employees begin this week: Four, 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday until October.

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