Police to add interview room

MEXICO -- By late this week, if all goes as planned, a much-needed witness/victim interview room will be ready for use in the Mexico Police Department.

Last Wednesday, Chief Jim Theriault was spending time putting up sheetrock for the room, located inside the patrol officers room in the Mexico Recreation Center. Other members of the department have also worked on this project.

Materials for the project are the result of $2,600 from a federal Justice Assistance Grant. The room, which will contain video and audio equipment, is also sound proof.

Theriault said the interview room could be used several days a week. Before this, police used to conduct interviews downstairs in the building when they used to have the room, or had to take or meet witnesses/victims over at the Rumford Police Department.

In another police related matter, selectmen, at their regular meeting on Nov. 23, accepted the resignation of Police Officer Dustin Broughton, who resigned after five years last week as he is going back to college.

Following an executive session, selectmen agreed to advertise for a Maine Police Academy trained officer.

In the meantime, Theriault said he and department's reserves will fill in.

The board approved a recommendation by Town Manager John Madigan to purchase a new computer for the town manager's secretary from Dell for $1,147.84. The funds will come out of the computer reserve account, which had over $8,000 in it.

Madigan also suggested adding software to the old computer so it can be utilized at the highway garage for things like replacement parts.

Fire Chief Gary Wentzell said their department and several others will do a training exercise on Dec. 12 on Howard Street on a property owned by Mike Mann. The building has already been used three or four times, which has been very useful. He added he hopes there is snow on the ground when they burn the building that day.

Following a public hearing, the board approved a graveyard/junkyard business permit for Richard Welch, dba Dick's Auto Sales on the Backkingdom Road. Tabled was a similar license to James Cogley, dba Cogley's Auto Parks on Route 120 until the town receives all the necessary paperwork. Town Clerk Penny Duguay noted there are some new requirements this year.

After a brief presentation by Joe Roberts of the Sundown Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, the board approved sponsored two wreaths for $15 each for the Wreaths Across America program. The town sponsored two wreaths last year as well.

Police to add interview room Photo:

Mexico Police Chief Jim Theriault spent time last week working on a witness interview room inside the patrol room at the police department. Materials were from a $2,600 received from the federal Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)