Waldwick March 11, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Residents may now pay taxes with their credit cards The Borough of Waldwick has officially begun accepting credit cards for the payment of municipal taxes and water charges. The transaction can be handled through the borough’s website: www.waldwicknj.org. The borough is making the option available as a convenience to residents, many of whom have been requesting it, according to Chief Financial Officer Mary Ann Viviani. Taxpayers will still be able to pay by check or cash if they pay their taxes in person at borough hall and not through an escrow account. No credit cards can be accepted at the tax window in town hall. Users of the service will be charged an additional 2.49 percent fee. The water bill fee will be based on the amount of the bill: 65 cents for a bill up to $25; $1.25 from $25 to $50; $1.85 from $50-$75, etc. In a traditional credit card purchase, that fee is paid by the merchant or service provider, but state law does not permit the municipality to absorb the fee. Viviani cautioned that each individual taxpayer would have to weigh the benefit of accruing bonus points for airline miles or other reward programs against the additional convenience fees. Upon accessing the town’s site, a link for tax and water payments connects directly to a Chase Bank website, which handles the transaction. The exact amount of the payment, including the service charge, will be displayed before finalizing the transaction, allowing the taxpayer “to back out if it’s not for them,” Viviani said. An email confirmation will be generated, which she suggested the taxpayer print and save for future reference. Viviani noted that residents paying on a delinquent amount must call the tax office at borough hall to get the actual amount due. Delinquency fees are calculated on a per diem basis at eight percent on the first $1,500 and 18 percent afterward. Viviani said that the office staff is being trained to handle the new program, and that testing would be ongoing over the next few weeks to assure a smooth process. She said she does not anticipate much activity until the May tax date. Tax due dates are May 1, Aug. 1, and Nov. 1 and Feb. 1. Fire prevention vehicle to be shared Waldwick’s fire prevention officer will no longer be able to take his official car home after working hours based on a new vehicle use policy the mayor and council are considering. The present policy permits the fire chief, the DPW superintendent and the water department superintendent, in addition to the fire prevention officer, to use their cars during the day in town or to contiguous towns and take them home evenings and weekends. The proposed policy would also mandate that any employee responsible for a vehicle must take it to the DPW garage for regular maintenance or face disciplinary action and even be required to reimburse the town for any damage. Council members said that the fire prevention vehicle should be parked in the firehouse lot when the officer is not making inspections so that other inspectors can use it. “There is no reason he should be assigned the vehicle for 24/7 use,” said Borough Administrator Gary Kratz, noting that the position carries no emergency responsibilities. 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