MEXICO — Selectmen appointed a businessman as the newest member of the Recreation Committee, agreed to look into buying gasoline from the Maine Department of Transportation and deferred purchase of heating oil until rack prices can be determined.

The board met Tuesday night following nearly 90 minutes in public hearings.

Ralph Santillo III, owner of Roy’s Driving Academy, who plans to move his business into the Mexico Recreation Building sometime in early October, was unanimously appointed the seventh Recreation Committee member.

That board is now full, said committee Chairwoman Mabel Merrill. Only one alternate member seat is open.

Town Manager John Madigan was authorized to investigate the costs for buying gasoline from neighboring Rumford, or the Maine Department of Transportation in Dixfield. Neighboring Dixfield recently approved buying gasoline from the MDOT.

Madigan was also authorized to enter into an agreement with whichever source is the most beneficial for the town. Mexico buys its diesel fuel through RSU 10.

He was also directed to investigate the least expensive heating oil company for the purchase of about 23,000 gallons for heating several municipal buildings.

Four bids were submitted, but it wasn’t clear what the rack price, or price before the markup, would be for several of them. Oil companies submit a certain number of cents above the rack price as the final price per gallon.

In other matters, the board approved the purchase of a basket/cage for use by the public works department when employees work at heights.

About $2,200 from the Maine Municipal Association’s loss prevention program will be used, along with a possible grant Madigan was directed to look into.

Also, the contract for the purchase of 3,000 cubic yards of sand was awarded to Archie’s Inc. of Mexico at a cost of $7.61 per cubic yard.