MEXICO — Selectmen unanimously approved spending up to $475 for a monument to honor Army Pfc. Buddy McLain, who was killed last month in Afghanistan.

The marker will be placed near the main war veterans memorial at the Mexico Greens.

McLain, a Mountain Valley High School graduate, was killed in action Nov. 29.

The town will also accept donations from the public at the town office to go toward the cost of the black and gray granite monument.

Plans are to dedicate the new stone at Memorial Day services in May.

In other matters, the board approved hiring a new full-time police officer as recommended by Chief James Theriault. Kyle Matthews of Otisfield has served as a reserve officer for several months, and has completed the 100-hour reserve officer course. He will attend the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

Theriault said Matthews plans to move to the River Valley area.

In a related matter, the board also approved Theriault’s recommendation to hire Dixfield police officer Eric Bernier of Livermore Falls as a reserve officer.

The board also banned parking along a section of Granite Street between Oxford and Main streets during daytime winter storms.

Following public hearings, the board approved licenses for several mobile home parks. During the discussion, fire Chief Gary Wentzell said many such homes have not displayed the correct house number. He said that makes it difficult for emergency vehicles to find the proper house.

The board will instruct the town’s 911 officer to notify all mobile home tenants to make the necessary changes.

Selectman Reggie Arsenault said everyone in the town should make sure their correct street numbers are prominently displayed on their homes.

Following a closed session with Theriault and Town Manager John Madigan, the board voted to provide two weeks of back pay for former police officer Dustin Broughton.

eadams@sunjournal.com