JAY — Selectmen voted Monday to adopt a policy concerning bad checks that allows the treasurer to charge $30 for each violation and to recoup the money. If the check is not paid within five days of a town-issued notice, then the check-writer may be responsible for additional costs.

Town Financial Director Lisa Bryant put together the policy after doing research on “dishonored” check policies, Town Manager Ruth Cushman said.

The town’s previous policy was not adequate, she said.

Bryant took a standard policy and modified it to fit the town of Jay.

The police also provides that the treasurer or tax collector may also refuse to accept personal checks from the violator in future transactions, and instead require payment be made in cash, money order, cashier’s check, teller’s check or bank check.

Board Chairman Steve McCourt said residents have asked him why the town does not accept Visa or other credit cards.

Credit card companies charge fees, such as a percentage of the transaction, that the town would be responsible for, Cushman said.

That’s taxpayers’ money, she said.

She gave an example that if someone came in and paid a $1,000 tax bill using a credit card, the town would lose $30 of that money.

“We are not in a position to do that,” she said.

In other business, resident Dot White, president of the Jay Historical Society, said she was very much interested in seeing the town have a gazebo.

Many towns already have them and concerts are performed there, she said.

She suggested it could be located on the north side of the municipal building parking lot in the lawn area between the two trees there.

“That’s an excellent idea,” Selectman Tom Goding said. Other selectmen agreed.

White said she would ask local contractors if they would be willing to donate time or materials to build it. Goding told her to contact him outside the meeting to see what he could do.

“Livermore Falls’ (gazebo) is always busy,” Selectman Amy Gould said.

Cushman said she would ask representatives of that town if the master plan is still available.

An estimate of cost would be put together and brought to the next meeting, McCourt said. A plan to raise those funds would also be developed.

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