Mexico cop to fill Rumford opening

MEXICO -- Police Chief Jim Theriault announced that one of his officers has resigned and will be filling one of the two vacant police positions in Rumford.

Addressing the Board of Selectmen on Dec. 11, Theriault said Dan Carrier will soon be working across the river. "He's leaving for more money. He has a family."

Carrier has served with the department for three and a half years. His last day will be on Dec. 29. Theriault noted that Rumford will be on the hook for the $18,000 Mexico invested in training Carrier. He also indicated that losing police officers to Rumford has not been an issue as much as Mexico losing police officers to other communities.

Selectmen accepted the resignation with regret, noting that Carrier "was a good police officer (for the town)."

Theriault noted the department is already down one officer as Holly Pullen is out on workman's comp due to a thumb injury. He said she is expected to out for another month.

The chief said they will be able to fill the shifts, although he added he may have to go back on patrol. Theriault said he has not begun to advertise the position for applicants.

In another matter, Theriault noted that the Police Explorer 364 recently held a recruitment night, which led to six more students expressing interest -- three from high school and three from the middle school.

Selectmen approved the recommendation by the Planning Board for an increase of the following permits and other fees, effective Jan. 1:

* Hawkers & Peddlers licenses, up from $25 to $25 per week or $100 for the year;

* Taxi cab license, up from $25 to $100;

* Town map copies, up from $1 to $3;

* Photocopies in the town office, up from 30 cents to $1.

Selectman Reggie Arsenault, who also serves on the Planning Board, noted "it's been quite a few years since we've done anything with them."

In particular, he talked about the increase in the Hawkers & Peddlers licenses, noting that he felt it was unfair that someone could set up to sell items to compete with local businesses that pay taxes to the town.

Following public hearings, selectmen approved taxi cab license renewals for Roadhog Express and Mountain Valley Taxi Service. Because both had already paid the current $25 fee for the license, the board felt it would be unfair to charge them an additional $75 for the license.

“It's more courteous of us to do it that way instead of making them pay an additional $75 on top of the $25 they've already paid,” said Board Chairman Richie Philbrick.

Regarding the copies, Arsenault said, “We thought the increase for photocopies would help cover the cost of maintenance on the printers, and the cost of paper."