MEXICO — Selectmen decided to take a wait-and-see attitude regarding who will administer the town’s General Assistance program.
For the past year, the town has paid neighboring Rumford $5,000 for the service. For many years prior to that, the town manager devoted one day a week to processing applications for food, heating oil, housing and other assistance.
Town Manager John Madigan said the town budgeted $40,000 for General Assistance plus $5,000 for Rumford’s administration.
He said the state will reimburse Mexico for half of the first $33,000, then 90 percent of any funds used above that amount.
Rumford officials have been grappling with cuts to their welfare budget and the number of hours the town’s welfare director works because residents have not approved a figure for the upcoming fiscal year.
Rumford officials have also suggested that the number of hours the town’s welfare director devotes to Mexico residents should be monitored, and a suggestion was also made that the agreement with Mexico be ended.
Rumford residents will vote for the third time on a welfare budget on Aug. 27.
Mexico Selectman Reggie Arsenault was upset at the current issue in Rumford is welfare assistance.
“I think what they are doing is wrong. We need to take care of our most needy people. I think we should get out of it (the agreement),” he said.
Selectman Peter Merrill believes Rumford officials should have discussed the matter with Mexico officials before suggestions were made to cut the welfare director’s hours. But he wants to wait and see what will happen during the next couple of weeks.
Board Chairwoman Barbara Laramee said her town had already made a commitment, and she, too, wants to wait before any decisions are made.
“This is the simplest form of regionalization,” she added.
The board is expected to bring the matter up again at its Aug. 10 meeting.
In the meantime, Rumford has a board meeting on Aug. 5 when the issue will likely be further discussed.
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