RUMFORD — People making tax and nontax payments at Town Hall will soon be able to use credit cards, instead of just cash or checks.

New Tax Collector Thomas Bourret kept his campaign promise to bring that convenience to taxpayers when he sought and received unanimous authorization Thursday night from selectmen.

Like more than 70 Maine towns, Rumford will enter a partnership with Maine’s InforMe PayPort system to process credit card payments.

“The best part for the town is that it offers the convenience without having the burden of the transaction costs,” Bourret said. “It’s really a win-win situation.”

Bourret said the system can be integrated with the Town Hall’s Trio software system.

“We can make tax payments over the counter or possibly over the phone,” he said.

Currently, the only town offices accepting payments are the tax collector and treasurer.

Bourret said the initial upfront costs total $1,240, after which the annual maintenance cost from Trio would be $150. If approved, he said the earliest it would be ready would be Sept. 1.

“This is a giant step forward,” Selectman Jolene Lovejoy said.

She said that when she first began her municipal work as a selectman, former Tax Collector Carlo Puiia was using a cash box and had asked for a cash register.

“We’ve come a long ways,” she said. “This is a big deal.”

“Yeah, it is,” Bourret said.

“I think this will be less hassle for you guys and it will be a great step forward,” Lovejoy said.

Bourret said people making credit card payments will also have to pay a minimal transaction fee of 2.5 percent or a $1 minimum charge, on all card transactions.

“So, let’s say there’s a $1,000 credit card swipe,” he said.

“There’s a potential for a $25 fee to be applied to the customer, the taxpayer. So, clearly, it’s a convenience, an option.”

Currently, Bourret said that because Rumford doesn’t have a credit card processing system, people trying to pay with credit cards are turned away and pull the money from an ATM and pay a transaction fee that way.

“This is a no-brainer,” Selectman Brad Adley said. “In today’s world, I can’t imagine not accepting credit cards.”

In other municipal news, selectmen appointed James Windover to a three-year term on the Planning Board.

The board also approved bids of:

* $19,961 for a half-ton, four-wheel-drive pickup truck from O’Connor GMC of Augusta for Public Works.

* $9,599 for a John Deere worksite utility vehicle from Hammond Tractor of Fairfield for the Park and Recreation Department.

* $601 for used Park and Recreation Department equipment ranging from two fryolators to a pressurized line painter from the Roxbury ATV Riders Club.

Selectmen also approved a liquor license application and special amusement permit for Le Paresseux Club.

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