The programs will be ordered immediately as they are needed before tax bills can be sent.
By Duane Hayes
Special to the Sun Journal

WEST PARIS – The town office is replacing its computer softwear programs for finances at a cost of $10,188.50.

Selectmen on Thursday approved the change from Windows Billing System and Quick Books Accounting, Billing and Collections to the newest versions of TRIO Real Estate Billing and Collections System and TRIO Municipal Accounting.

“We have been tinkering with Quick Books and Windows for sometime,” Chairman Wade Rainey said, and Town Clerk Cheryl Shattenberg “has been doing the best she can with it, but those do not give a very good follow-up. In my mind, TRIO is the only way to go.”

The real estate billing and collections program will be purchased and installed for $3,400 plus an annual licensing fee of $578. The cost for the accounting program is $5,050 with a licensing fee of $1,156.50 per year.

Shattenberg said the licensing fees cover annual updates for the systems and support from the software company.

The programs will be ordered immediately because they are needed before tax bills can be sent out in July. Rainey said Bob Penley, the dealer who he and Shattenberg met with last week, assured them he can have the system installed and and ready for staff training within the next couple of weeks.

Also Thursday, the board agreed to review state laws governing the authority of the town’s animal control officer, Dannie Paine.

Paine explained he has a problem with the same people every year not licensing their dogs as required by state and town laws.

“It’s the same people every year. I make trip after trip, trying to hunt them down to remind them they have to license their dogs,” he said. “I’ve been told by some that they didn’t know they had to license their dog. I’ve been told by one that he couldn’t get his veterinarian to give his dog his shots. This is ridiculous. They ought to know they have to license their dog or dogs by Jan. 1.

“They’re notified twice by the town and given four months to apply, and I still have to chase them down and I’m sick of it,” Paine said. “What I would like to know is, can the town add a clause to its ordinance that says I can make one trip and they have to comply then or I can take them to court? They should not be able to keep putting the thing off while I run around trying to catch them at home more than once,” Paine said.

He said he can issue a warrant and institute court proceedings, which will end up costing them a fine of up to $50, but he should be able to do it with one visit not multiple calls.

Selectmen agreed, and Rainey will check with the state to find out what the town can do to strengthen its ordinance to assist its animal control officer.

Shattenberg said the tax assessment from SAD 17 shows an increase of $4,711.83 per month, from $58,270.08 to $62,981.98, for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

“The increase of $4,711.83 per month means we are being assessed an extra $56,541.96 for the next school year,” she said.

The assessment for 2002-03 was $692,078.75, for 2003-04 it is $748,620.71.