Plan Calls for Moving Mexico Fire Station

by Bruce Farrin
     
     MEXICO - There is a lateral crack in the fire station extending along an entire wall. Further, pavement is down an inch from the basement door at the 45-year-old facility, which is located in a flood plain.
     At the selectmen's meeting Wednesday, Town Manager John Madigan told the board that an inspection by A.E. Hodsdon engineering firm of Waterville indicated that the crack is due to settling, with the preliminary cost of reinforcing the basement with short-term repairs being between $25,000 to $30,000.
     Madigan, who said there has been a problem in the past with settling cracks, indicated it's in the county plan to replace the station over the next five to 10 years. "It needs to be relocated because it's in a flood zone."
     The building is built on two levels, with the front facing Main Street, and the back, which is built into a hillside, opening near the town gazebo and nearby Androscoggin River. During the 1987 flood, water surged into the bottom floor of the station, but not into the nearby town office building.
     Offering options, Madigan said that making the repairs is a way to buy time or they could see whether the town might qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency money.
     "Maybe we would use this as leverage with FEMA for a new facility...You never know. FEMA monies were used for a couple fire stations built last year."
     Selectmen decided to table action on the repairs and asked Madigan to report back to the board at this Wednesday's meeting on whether there's any FEMA funding available for this purpose.
     In other business, the board approved borrowing $800,000 for part of an extensive road repair/reconstruction project that is slated to begin in the spring. The money will come either from the Maine Bond Bank, which has a March 9 deadline, or from a commercial bank if they can get a better deal.
     The money is part of a $2.9 million loan authorized last year for road work.
     The first phase will provide funds for design work for the entire length of the Backkingdom Road and for Osgood Avenue, and South Main, Alder and Spring streets. It will also complete a construction project on Swett Avenue between the Harlow Hill Road and Ledgeview Street, Mexico Avenue, Dalton Avenue and Mount Street.
     Madigan said he plans to apply for a Community Development Block Grant in December that would provide funds to complete the final work and paving for South Main, Alder and Spring streets, and Osgood Avenue.
     Selectmen granted a conditional license approval for Highland Mobile Home Park, owned by Brandy Pond Development.
     Last month, the board delayed action on the licensing request to give the code enforcement officer, health officer and fire chief a chance to inspect the park because of reports on non-functioning septic systems, an issue with garbage recepticles, and other health and safety matters.
     The license was granted, providing the owner repairs the faulty septic systems immediately, and cleans up the debris scattered in the park, installs correct house numbers and makes other safety changes within 60 days.
     The board voted to place a photo of the Boy Scout Jamboree held at the Mexico Recreation Park last summer on the cover of the annual town report.
     Available in late May, the town report will be dedicated to former Selectman Arthur Bordeau, who served many years on the board.