MEXICO – Selectmen unanimously adopted an Oxford County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan Wednesday night that ensures the town can qualify for emergency funds when a natural disaster occurs.

Each town in the county must act on the plan. And each one must list measures that could be taken to alleviate or eliminate potential natural disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will make grant money available for some of the town’s proposed projects over the next few years.

Many of Mexico’s proposed projects are long-term. Among them: acquiring several buildings in the Mexico Flats where flooding from the Swift River often occurs. A cost of $3.8 million has been estimated to acquire the buildings, remove them and convert the area to less intensive uses such as parking and green space.

Other long-term plans include establishment and equipping of an emergency shelter at Mountain Valley Middle School, improvements to drainage and the bridge on Thompson Hill Road, and possibly relocating the police and fire stations out of the Androscoggin River floodplain.

Short-term projects include rebuilding 2.5 miles of Backkingdom Road at an estimated cost of $503,000 and replacement of the Poplar Hill Road bridge at an estimated cost of $35,000.

Town Manager Joseph Derouche said adoption of the county’s mitigation plan provides the town with the right to take part in the funding process, but not to a guarantee of those funds.

Board OKs junior firefighters

MEXICO – Selectmen gave the thumbs up to the creation of a Mexico Junior Firefighters Program for boys and girls age 15-17.

Fire Chief Gary Wentzell said several young people expressed interest in the program.

Approval was granted providing the junior firefighters can be covered under the town’s volunteer liability insurance.

Wentzell said junior firefighters would not be able to use mechanized equipment, but could help with clean-up at fires. He said they would receive training so that when they reached age 18, they would have nearly all the training needed to become a firefighter.

Sheriff’s cost resolve advanced

MEXICO – Selectmen unanimously approved a resolution initiated by Bethel Town Manager Scott Cole that, if adopted by the Maine State Legislature, would reduce the amount of money the town must pay for Oxford County Sheriff’s Department coverage.

Town Manager Joseph Derouche estimated that Mexico would see a $15,500 reduction, Rumford, $119,850 and Dixfield, $17,857.

The resolution, which is being circulated to many Oxford County towns, says that towns with police departments are assessed taxes at the same rate as those without their own police departments.

David Duguay, who was elected as Oxford County commissioner from the northern Oxford district, said many people want more discussion on the resolution before it is signed.

He also said some of the questions that would have to be addressed included support for the county jail.

Of his district, he said five towns would see a reduction in county taxes for the support of the sheriff’s department and five would see an increase.

Others would remain about the same.

Resident Louise Arsenault questioned how the proposed tax formula would affect the area if several towns decided to regionalize their police departments.

The answer to that is not clear, said Duguay.

Rumford selectmen last week decided to table action on the resolution until more information became available.

Dixfield is expected to take it up on Monday.

Licenses win approval

MEXICO – Selectmen on Wednesday approved several junkyard and mobile home park licenses.

Andy’s Towing and Salvage, Dick’s Auto Sales and Cogley’s Auto Parts received junkyard licenses following a public hearing.

Jones Court Trailer Park, Riverside Park, Waugh’s Trailer Park, Highland Park and Oak Street Mobile Home Park were granted licenses for another year with the stipulation that a building permit must be acquired before a mobile home is razed.