Resident requests online registration

OTISFIELD — "Are we going to get online to re-register motor vehicles like a lot of other towns in the state?" asked resident Herb Olsen at the June 6 Otisfield selectboard meeting, saying it would be "heck of an easy and convenient way to do it."

He said that the state offers the service, and wondered why Otisfield hasn't already jumped on the bandwagon. "I noticed on our website, it's there, but it's a blank page," he said.

"If you are re-registering, all you have to do is go online. You are issued a number ... and in seven days, you'll get your stuff in the mail, according to the state," said Olsen.

Selectman Rick Micklon said that the town has already considered the service, but that it simply hasn't purchased it yet for fear of losing its excise tax.

"We weren't sure if they [the state] were going to reimburse us or not," said Administrative Assistant Marianne Izzo-Morin.

Micklon said that the town has also discussed online tax payments, but has been leery about offering it because it's paid through the state. He said the town doesn't want to have to wait for a reimbursement check.

Olsen said online motor vehicle registrations are "quick and easy" and would save town employees some time and energy.

It would also be convenient for those who can't make it in to the town office, he said.

In addition, he said that the online service would be nice since the town office isn't open 24/7, and because "there's a lot of people today ... that do everything with a debit or credit card online."

"I think it would be worth looking into," said Chairman Hal Ferguson. He said that the board would check with other small towns to see whether they received their reimbursement of excise tax – before offering the service.

"As long as we don't lose money, and don't lose excise tax," said Micklon. "It's just the fear of losing something we normally handle [ourselves]."

In other news, the board:

• Heard from Town Sexton Dan Peaco that Saturday Pond had lowered 8 inches since the June 3 flood and that he has not seen any signs of erosion.

• Heard from Olsen that he's appreciative of the renovations being done to the town office. Micklon said the work was expected to be completed within the next week or so.