Wiscasset Board of Selectmen handled various action items during their Sept. 4 meeting including approving a credit card system, discussing proposed ordinance changes, and transfer station fees.
The initial cost for the system would be about $1000, said Wiscasset Town Manager Laurie Smith, with maintenance fees being the only recurring cost. The amount would be taken from the town’s contingency funds.
Smith said state law allows the town to charge any transaction fees to the user, so there would be no additional cost per transaction to the town.
Transactions under $40 would be charged a $1 fee, and transactions over $40 would have a fee of 2.5 percent. Smith said the final amount would be presented to the user before finalizing the transaction.
Items such as hunting and fishing licenses as well as vehicle registrations are currently payable through the Internet using electronic check. The new system would allow these to be paid using a credit card, Smith said.
The system could potentially be in place for January, Smith said.
The changes, which were prepared by the town’s Ordinance Review Committee, help to provide clear and fair provisions for a developer, said Wiscasset Town Planner Misty Gorski.
Selectman Ed Polewarczyk voiced concern about provisions requiring sidewalks in a subdivision and the cost versus benefit.
Gorski said waivers could be granted, as long as the planning board requires conditions that meet the intent of the ordinance.
The selectmen will continue reviewing proposed changes and answers before the next meeting to allow for further discussion.
Alna’s letter requested that an agreement be added to the transfer station contract they have with Wiscasset, defining fees for the contract year with the understanding fees will remain unchanged.
The letter also requested information on costs and savings to the transfer station related to the mandatory recycling policy.
The board had no objections to the town manager sharing relevant information with the Alna board.
Smith said there had been an approximate 10 percent decrease in waste since the recycling ordinance was implemented in October 2011, which was the goal.
