MEXICO — Selectmen approved an expansion of the all-terrain-vehicle trails system Tuesday night after a public hearing attended by about a dozen people.

Mexico Police Chief James Theriault said he had no problems with the expansion as long as he was aware of them. He also said that his department has two ATVs so trails can be patrolled for safety factors as well as speed.

ATV club spokesman Clyde Wardwell said club members plan to police riders.

“We just want access,” he said. “We’re not going to let guys go 50 mph.”

Approved were the Backkingdom Road beginning at Young’s Trailer Park to the end of Backkingdom Road to include Drinkuth Lane, Coburn Avenue, the Thad White Road and the Black Bridge Road.

Selectman George Byam, before voting for the expansion, said allowing the additions to the ATV ordinance was good for business. “This gets these vehicles into town,” he said.

The local ATV club will also post 15 mph signs along the new section of trails.

In other matters, Town Manager John Madigan said the board signed the warrant for the proposed $3 million municipal budget and RSU 10’s warrant for $35 million. He said the warrants will be posted at various locations around town.

Mexico residents vote on the municipal budget at referendum June 12. Residents will vote on the proposed school budget at a district-wide, town-meeting-styled election May 31 at Mountain Valley High School, then validate the final budget figure at referendum June 12.

The board also authorized the purchase of a John Deere Gator, which is a small utility vehicle, at a cost of $11,375 for use by the Recreation Department. Last month, the Recreation Department bought a so-called Rascal, that will be towed by the Gator to drag and groom the ball fields at the recreation park. Funds for the purchases came from the Recreation Department reserve fund.

In a related matter, selectmen approved expanding the current five-member Recreation Committee to seven members. All members must be residents of Mexico.

Also on Tuesday, selectmen:

* Authorized the reconstruction of Colby Street which is a 400-foot long street off Highland Avenue. The town crew will provide most of the work, at a cost of about $7,000, and Bruce Manzer Paving of Anson, will pave the finished street at a cost of just under $18,000. Work is expected to begin in July.

* Appointed William Cook as the town’s fifth, full-time police officer. The department is now fully staffed with all Maine Criminal Justice Academy-trained officers. Cook had served previously in Paris and Mechanic Falls.

* Learned from Theriault that seven members of the Mexico Police Explorers will attend a junior version of the police academy this summer.