Flea market for Main Street

MEXICO -- A flea market will soon be setting up on Main Street.

Making sure to differentiate this from a perpetual lawn sale, the Board of Selectmen gave approval at their May 10 meeting to grant a Hawker's and Peddler's license to Rumford businessman Jim Barnett.

Barnett, who owns the land between Big Daddy's Car Wash and Frosty Delite that used to be the Irving gas station, said, "We're just going to try it...It's low risk and could turn into a business."

He said they will be looking for rent out tables for a day or a weekend. However, people will not be permitted to leave their items overnight.

Barnett spoke about possibly putting up a metal shelter for the flea market participants, but had no plans for a permanent building. He said he believes this venture will bring in people as well as to benefit surrounding businesses. He will supply porta potties for the business.

Selectmen advised Barnett to discuss the venture with David Errington, the town's code enforcement officer.

In other business, the board approved a recommendation by Madigan to go out to bid to have the town library painted. "It's time. The last time it was painted was maybe 10 years ago."

Money for the painting would be taken out of the building maintenance reserve account. Madigan said there is $25,441 in the account, with another $15,000 in the proposed municipal budget to go into that.

Selectmen also agreed going out to bid on plumbing for the new bathrooms in the Mexico Recreation Park. Selectman Peter Merrill said the expense will be only for the labor because the plumbing fixtures will be arriving within a couple of weeks.

In another matter, Merrill announced that the lawnmower races, put on as a fundraiser by the Mexico Fire Department, will be returning this summer, with more categories.

The date has not been nailed down, but it will occur in July or August. "We will be getting a crew to put the track back together."