RUMFORD – Selectmen on Thursday agreed to attend a joint meeting with Mexico officials to discuss a potential truck route bypass that has caused considerable controversy between the two towns.
“I appreciate that they set this up. I hope we can come to some mutual agreement,” said Selectman Jolene Lovejoy.
At issue is a request by the town of Rumford to the Maine Department of Transportation to bypass a section of Route 2 that runs through portions of Mexico and Rumford. One section would bypass Mexico’s business district.
Rumford officials have said that the bypass would provide a safer route for large tractor-trailer trucks. Mexico officials have said that passenger and camper traffic would most likely follow trucks along a designated route, resulting in a serious loss of revenue for downtown businesses.
Chairman Jim Thibodeau, the only selectman who won’t be in town during the Sept. 30 meeting, said his board had intended to invite Mexico to a similar discussion once a petition advocating the bypass was complete. A petition began circulation at several Rumford businesses last week. Town Manager Robert Welch said about 100 signatures have been gathered so far.
“People need to sign these petitions so we’ll have some ammunition at that meeting,” said Thibodeau.
Mexico Town Manager Joseph Derouche has organized the joint meeting. Besides Rumford town officials, also invited are MDOT representatives, the Route 2 Corridor Committee, the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee, and police, fire, and emergency representatives from the two towns. Mexico officials and businesses are circulating a petition opposing the proposed bypass.
Resident Steve White said the situation appears to be a standoff. “Seems neither town will budge. Maybe try it for six months. How do you know you’ll lose business unless you try?” he asked.
The joint meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the American Legion Hall in Rumford. Derouche said he is trying to find a third party, neutral person to serve as facilitator.
In other matters, Rumford selectmen rejected all five bids submitted for a 1964 cable excavator. They will now decide whether to put the machine out to bid again, or try to sell it through another means.
They also awarded the contract for the purchase of winter sand to R.A. Tibbetts at a cost of $3.75 per cubic yard and approved an innholder’s and victualer’s license for Fortune Island Restaurant.
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