MECHANIC FALLS – Local people can save gas, money and time now that they can get their license plates at the Town Office.

The town has always been able to issue reregistrations but will be allowed to issue new plates starting Monday, said Town Clerk Shirley Marquis. Local residents will no longer have to make the drive to Department of Motor Vehicles in Lewiston or to Minot’s town office.

“We’ve gotten a few people who were surprised when I had to send them to Minot or to Lewiston,” said Marquis. “They didn’t realize that we couldn’t give out new plates here.”

Minot issued 476 new license plates to Mechanic Falls residents during the 2003 calendar year, said Debbie Collins, assistant town clerk in Minot. Minot charges $4 for its residents and $5 for nonresidents.

Mechanic Falls drivers can now save a dollar by paying the $4 resident fee to their own town.

Marquis originally had planned to start the new service in July. Glitches in computer print-outs from the state and the lack of a computer system in house caused the delay, she said.

She has since worked out the kinks in the new system but will have to wait for another budget cycle to request the computer software from DMV. The computer program will eliminate making corrections by hand and using an old-fashioned typewriter to fill in the boxes on preprinted forms. Marquis said she was surprised to learn that the software costs $5,000.

Residents needing license plates as the result of a private sale will need to bring in a bill of sale, proof of insurance, and the car’s mileage. For 1989 vehicles or newer, owners also need to bring in the Maine title. For a car dealer transaction, owners need to bring in the green sales tax form and the blue carbon copy of the title application along with proof of insurance and mileage.

All vanity plates and special orders, such as disabled plates will still need to come from the Department of Motor Vehicles in Lewiston.

The Mechanic Falls Town Office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.