MEXICO – Incumbent Selectman Richard M. Philbrick, 38, is being challenged for a three-year term by Budget Committee member A. Byron Ouellette, 61, during the June 9 election.

Philbrick, a Rumford Public Works employee who lives on Chase Avenue, is seeking a full term after finishing two years left on Louise Waterhouse’s term.

Ouellette, a self-employed tire dealer, is making a first-time bid for elective office. He said he believes there are many cuts that could be made in the current budget to lower taxes.

“We really need to pay attention to the essential services of highway, police and fire. Library and recreation were originally part time and volunteer. Now they are full time with benefits. Selectmen need to study these things,” he said.

Philbrick said he considers library and recreation services as essential as highway, police and fire.

“We wouldn’t meet our responsibilities to all our citizens,” he said of the Mexico Public Library and the town’s recreation department if they were eliminated. “We have two good departments.”

Philbrick said he is pleased with the progress the town has made during the past few years of building up the fund balance and adequately budgeting for each account. He said the town has kept a tight budget while providing the same services the town has enjoyed over the years.

“We can’t cut anymore people and still have the same services,” he said. “We’ve really worked hard to get to where we are today.

Ouellette said he believes the highway department could be reorganized so that the town manager becomes the road commissioner and the department supervised by a foreman, thereby eliminating a position. He also believes the town could pay a fee to the nearby Rumford Public Library so its people could use it, rather than maintain its own. He also questions whether the town can afford the recreation building.

“The building is fantastic, but we’re a little town. Can we afford it?” he asked. “My agenda is to save the taxpayers money.”

Philbrick believes the possible merger of the Dixfield and Mexico police departments could be a good thing for both towns.

“It’s a great opportunity for the towns and for the officers who would have a chance to advance. Maybe we could cut the number of cars and equipment. They work together now,” Philbrick said.

Ouellette said he would agree to such a merger if it saves the town money.

“All departments could be consolidated. We could take one at a time on a trial basis and see how it goes. Change is so hard,” he said.

Philbrick also believes it’s possible that other departments could merge so the town could save money.

Philbrick and his wife, Tammy, are the parents of two children.

Ouellette and his wife, Rhonda, are the parents of three adult children and three grandchildren.