MEXICO – Selectmen on Wednesday voted to try to establish a multi-town committee to look into the advantages and disadvantages of merging area police departments.

For several months, the towns of Mexico and Dixfield have considered the possibility, but no actual facts have been researched.

Rumford, as well as other towns, are also invited to join.

As discussed at the board meeting, each town would send two selectmen, two citizens, the town manager and the police chief to the committee.

Tim Bourassa, Rumford’s police chief and a resident of Mexico, volunteered to serve on the committee as a resident. So, too, did former Selectman and current SAD 43 board member Betty Barrett. Selectmen Arthur Bordeau and Barbara Laramee will represent the town, as will Mexico Police Chief Jim Theriault.

Town Manager Joseph Derouche expects the town of Dixfield to make similar committee assignments at its next selectmen’s meeting.

“If you are going to study this, you need to get a team together and do it,” said Derouche.

Also on Wednesday, selectmen decided to reschedule a planned meeting with the Wellness Center board to Nov. 10 to discuss lease payments, insurance costs, and a possible restructuring of space used in the Mexico Recreation Center by the fitness program.

They also agreed to spend the first few minutes at the beginning of every board meeting reviewing the town’s financial statements.

A hawker’s and peddler’s license was issued to Dan Coyne so that he can set up a lunch wagon known as Little Dan’s Barbecue at a lot adjacent to Labonville’s along Route 2.