MEXICO — Selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday night to lock a section of the recreation building by 5 p.m. Wednesday if insurance isn’t paid, and to advertise for proposals for someone to operate the town’s Generations fitness center.

The actions came following the lack of submission of a certificate of insurance liability by Dawson Walton, a local man who had submitted plans to operate the public–private workout gym on the first floor and who offers private karate and judo classes on the upper floor of the Mexico Recreation Center.

The board had approved Walton as the new manager of the fitness gym at their Nov. 9 meeting. However, Town Manager John Madigan said Walton has not contacted the town office with the required paperwork.

“We gave him the opportunity to get insurance. Several years ago, he also didn’t produce insurance, and we put a padlock on the door until he paid it,” Madigan said.

“If he doesn’t have insurance, he shouldn’t be there,”  board Chairwoman Barbara Laramee said.

Some selectmen also expressed concerns about the Generations gym being open and people working out without anyone there to oversee activities. At the Nov. 9 meeting they had expressed similar concerns.

“There should be a volunteer there at all times,” Selectman Reggie Arsenault said.

The board then voted unanimously to advertise for someone to contract for the operation of the gym.

In the past, whoever operated the gym received 30 percent of membership fees, and the town received 70 percent. The town also paid utilities and other expenses generated by the gym.

“We can get proposals, then we decide,” Madigan said.

He believes the town’s Recreation Committee should become more involved in the activities and events that take place in the building, and that all activities in the building should be coordinated.

The Mexico Recreation Center had once been Mexico High School and, as such, has a gym and many classrooms that are used for a variety of activities, such as after-school events, professional wrestling matches and rollerskating.

“We want the Recreation Committee to take more leadership. I have so much going on I don’t have time for this,” Madigan said.

The Recreation Committee currently has only two members. Selectman Peter Merrill, who serves as liaison with the committee, said he will discuss the issue with the committee.

In other matters, on Wednesday:

* The board accepted the resignation of David McDonald, longtime trustee for the Mexico Water District, and will advertise for a replacement. About one-and-a-half years remains on his three-year term.

* Taxicab licenses were granted to Courtesy Cab, Road Hog Express and Mountain Valley Taxi.

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