New police cruiser for Mexico

MEXICO -- The police department will soon have a new police cruiser.

At their June 28 meeting, selectmen okayed a request by Police Chief Jim Theriault to spec out a 2011 Dodge Charger V6 cruiser. He said the car, which will likely be purchased from Bessey Motors in South Paris, is receiving rave reviews from the Norway Police Department, the Oxford County Sheriff's Office and most recently, the Rumford Police Department.

Theriault projected the cost will be around $21,000, depending on what they are able to get for a trade-in with the Ford Crown Victoria cruiser that is being replaced.

Town Manager John Madigan said there is present $18,752 in the police equipment account, with an additional $18,000 from the next budget, so there's enough money for the cruiser. Further, if the planned $18,000 is placed in that account for 2012-13, money will be there for the planned replacement of the department's Tahoe.

After Theriault noted that the sheriff added push bumpers, or cow catcher's, as they are sometimes termed, to his new Chargers, the board agreed to do the same to their new vehicle. The cost is $400. The push bumpers will protect the car if it should strike a deer or maybe a moose.

In other business, Theriault lauded two female cadets of the Mexico Police Department's Explorer Post who had just graduated from a week-long training course at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro. He said the two graduates represented the department and the Explorers with distinction. They were given the coveted distinction of being part of the flag honor guard at the academy's graduation.

Madigan extended his appreciation to the Explorer Post. "I was very impressed with the Explorers at the Memorial Day service this year, especially how well they performed the flag ceremony and presented the flag to Buddy McLain's mother."

At the start of the meeting, the board elected Richie Philbrick as the chairman and Reggie Arsenault as the vice-chairman.

Also welcomed to the board were incumbent Peter Merrill and former selectman George Byam.

Madigan said the town recently received a safety-enhancement grant of $1,900 from the Maine Municipal Association to monitor gases in sewer pipes.

He said the safety grant will be applied to purchase smart meters for municipal sewer pipes. The meters are able to detect any potentially hazardous gases before a worker enters a sewer pipe.

Following an executive session, selectmen appointed Madigan to his seventh consecutive one-year term as Mexico Town Manager.