PARIS — Reactions were mixed Monday to a proposal by the town manager to switch from biannual tax payments to quarterly payments.

The question of whether to switch will be on the town meeting warrant in June. At the hearing, Board of Selectmen Chairman Sam Elliot said the change could give the town a stronger cash flow and a more consistent designated fund balance while decreasing foreclosures by requiring smaller tax payments.

Currently, property taxes are due on May 1 and Nov. 1. The proposal would make taxes due on the 15th of August, November, February and May.

Some residents were concerned about how the change would affect their mortgage payments. Town Manager Amy Bernard said anyone who pays property taxes via an escrow wouldn’t be affected by the change. She said 25 to 30 percent of Paris residents pay through escrows.

Robert Jewell said he supported the change, but suggested starting in November, when residents are already accustomed to submitting tax payments. Bernard said the board had discussed not charging interest for late payments for the first August payment until the November payment is due.

Asked if there could be an incentive for people who pay their taxes early, Vice Chairman Robert Kirchherr said there could be legal issues, as a discount for early payers would effectively give a tax-rate discount to residents who could afford to pay their taxes sooner. Bernard, however, said some towns give incentives for paying taxes ahead of time.

Bernard said the bigger issue is the ability of the town to afford to give discounts when it’s already running low on funding.

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