MEXICO – Selectmen on Wednesday accepted the resignation of police Sgt. Robert Gallant, which was effective April 1.
An officer for more than 25 years, he has been on sick leave for several months. Officials had approved extending his leave of absence until June 30.
Town Manager John Madigan Jr. said Gallant has requested that he be placed on the police force reserve list. That matter will be discussed at the board’s April 27 meeting.
Reserve officer Jeff Stoddard has stepped in during the last few months and will continue as a reserve officer until June 30. Townspeople had approved hiring a fifth police officer at last year’s town meeting, but because most of that funding had been used for overtime and reserve officer pay, the officer was never hired. Madigan said that if funding is approved in June, he believes Stoddard will be named as a permanent officer.
Also on Wednesday, Madigan said he was directed by selectmen to draw up a lease agreement with the Wellness Center, which is housed in the town’s recreation building, for the use of exercise and other fitness equipment owned by the town and used by the Wellness Center.
The lease, if approved, would call for a minimal fee, he said. The Wellness Center would be responsible for maintaining and insuring the equipment. The equipment was given to the town by Rumford Hospital when the Wellness Center was moved from the hospital to the Mexico Recreation Building.
In other matters, Madigan said he hopes to wrap up development of the 2005-2006 municipal budget of $2 million with the Budget Committee and selectmen at a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 21. The budget goes to townspeople June 13 at the annual town meeting.
The town has not had any surplus money – the Maine Municipal Association recommends $300,000 – for a couple of years because of spending beyond its budget. Madigan said it will likely take at least two or three years to build up a cash reserve of that size.
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