WEST PARIS – In a report to the selectmen Thursday, Town Manager Don Woodbury told the board tax payments have been coming in at a good rate since the bills were sent out in early August.

“At this point, I have received about 70 percent of the $1.03 million that needs to come in,” said Woodbury, “or $730,517.41, which I consider a very good return.”

He also said he discounted a total of $23,087.58 during the 30-day discount period. The discount period has been approved each year at the annual town meeting as a way to encourage people to pay early, to avoid the town’s having to negotiate a tax anticipation loan to cover municipal expenses through the end of the year.

After the report on 2004 taxes, selectmen voted unanimously to award the winter sand bid to the Everett Excavation Co. of Norway at $5.25 per cubic yard.

According to Road Commissioner Bill Keach, the price is up from last year’s price of $4.10 per cubic yard, from Tibbetts Excavating of Bethel. Tibbetts also turned in a bid for this year, at $5.75 per cubic yard, leading to the selectmen’s decision to choose the lower price.

As to the total for the sand project, which includes screening, hauling and mixing with salt, Keach said, “I am ordering 2,000 cubic yards for a total price of $10,500.”

Work on the project will begin soon and will be completed by early November.

In other business, Woodbury announced that he has received word from Community Concepts that low-interest loans are available for people who need to have septic tanks replaced.

“All people have to do is come see me, and I will give them further information as to how to obtain such a loan,” he said.

Finally, Woodbury said that the town office will be closed all day next Tuesday, Oct. 19, while he and the office staff play host to a motor vehicle workshop for local municipal officials.