WEST PARIS – Town Manager Donald Woodbury told selectmen Thursday that property taxes have been coming in rapidly since bills were mailed in mid-July.

Woodbury said as of Thursday “we have collected $512,875.75, which is almost exactly half of the 2006 taxes. I am pleased to see them coming in so well, but I expect they will slow down some now that the discount period has ended.” He added, “As for discounts we have given out something over $14,000.”

Board members and Woodbury said tax payments traditionally slow after the discount date and pick up again significantly before the end of December, which is the deadline for payment.

In other business, Selectman Dennis Henderson reported the town’s soapbox derby track is about to be paved before the next event Aug. 20.

“The soapbox racing committee has everything ready,” he said, “and by doing the prep work ourselves we have cut the cost of the project in half, and it will be completed immediately.”

Woodbury praised the town’s new swim instructor, Ellie Kingsbury, for her work during the annual program last month.

“I was concerned last year with the small turnout we had for swimming lessons as it would have been almost as cheap to have sent the kids to camp,” Henderson admitted. “This year, however, we had 17 kids show up the first day. They enjoyed themselves and like Ellie so much, they went home and called their friends bringing in 22 the second day, 30 the third, and 33 after that. It was a great program, and the kids loved it.”

Henderson and his wife Nancy own the pool where the lessons were held.

The board appointed Chairman Bill Birney and Henderson as representatives to the Oxford County budget conference Aug. 30.

Selectman Wade Rainey abstained from consideration because he is a candidate for county commissioner.