Town adds new technology

Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
NEW TECH —Lauren Asselin, Houlton’s tax assessor, shows how debit and credit cards can now be accepted at the Houlton Town Office when paying for registration renewals.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Another piece of technology has been added to the Houlton Town Office. The newest update offers further convenience for customers.
    The Houlton Town Office is now able to process debit/credit cards, along with providing online registration renewals through the state’s Rapid Renewal program.
    “The service has been there for at least five years,” said Interim Town Manager Cathy O’Leary. “But, we had to get the software to accept credit/debit cards. It was work on our end and it is a demand for people, especially nowadays.”
    “People want information at their fingertips,” added Lauren Asselin, tax assessor.
    For some time, people have been able to renew their ATV/snowmobile, hunting/fishing, deer/moose lottery and trailer registrations. Now, people will also be able to renew their motor vehicle and boat registrations, as well.
    “With excise tax, you were never able to do those online, you had to come in,” explained O’Leary. “The online program makes it great to renew vehicles and boat registrations.”
    For example, if someone decides to take their boat out at 5:30 p.m. on the lake and discovers it is not registered, the person can go online, renew and print the registration.
    “Within four or five days, the state will send the stickers in the mail,” added Asselin. “As long as the person has the printout, they are OK.”
    Currently, the online software accepts e-checks (directly taken from a person’s bank account), but by July 1, people will be able to pay by e-check, debit or credit cards.
    “The draw is not as big as it could be,” explained Asselin. “Maine.gov/InforMe is still in the process of updating their system. They are testing a module right now.”
    There is a fee charged right into the transaction for the online process of 2.5 percent or a minimum of $1. It is like using a credit card at a business. Some merchants pick up the charge, but the town cannot do that.
    “It really would be passed onto the taxpayer,” said Asselin, “and we didn’t feel comfortable doing that. So, a person using a debit or credit card pays the fee.”
    Many people will find it easier to obtain birth certificates or vital records.
    “We will be able to accommodate people from away,” said O’Leary. “Before, we had to have them send in the fee and then we would mail the documentation. Now, we can just take the credit/debit card and send out the information more promptly.”
    People who can use the Rapid Renewal program are registrants with an excise-taxable vehicle, who live in a participating municipality; registrants with a commercial or passenger vehicle and registrants with a non-taxable trailer.
    Those re-registering will need a current vehicle registration, insurance card, vehicle’s mileage and a printer to use the online program.
    “We’ve had some people use it,” said O’Leary. “But, for those who have gone on before and were discouraged with the e-check after July 1 there will be other ways to pay.”
    For those who aren’t comfortable with using a computer for personal information, you can still come to the town office counter.
    “Some of the older population may not be into computers,” said Asselin. “But, the younger population does everything online.”
    O’Leary added, “Anyone who is uncomfortable or wants more information can call us. If someone has a new registration they have to come into the office. There has been a demand in the office from people to use debit cards, so it has all worked out really well.”
    Go to www1.maine.gov/ online/bmv/rapid-renewal/ for re-registrations or for more information, call the town office at 532-7111.