New Online Scheduling and Payment Options for Large Appliance Disposal and Permits

Public Works is pleased to offer a variety of new online services effective July 23, 2012. With these new services, we will also be bringing our credit card policies in line with City policies regarding credit cards and convenience fees that went into effect during FY12.

New Online Services

Starting July 23, 2012, the pick up of appliances/large item can be scheduled and paid for online. The following permit applications can also be submitted and paid for online: crane/ boom/ pump truck permit, excavation permit, sidewalk closure permit, and park permit. Residents and customers are now able to conduct business with Public Works from any location at any time, and will be able to pay for these transactions via a secure online web portal.

Payment Options NO VISA ACCEPTED

Online transactions can be paid for by credit card (MasterCard and Discover), debit card (MasterCard) and electronic debit using a checking account. Convenience fees will apply to all credit card, debit card and electronic debits using checking account whether in-person or online. Pricing for convenience fees is as follows:

Credit card (MasterCard and Discover) and debit card (MasterCard): 2.5% of your purchase.
For example, for curbside pick-up of a dishwasher the fee will be 2.5% of the $25 price, or $0.63. For a senior citizen scheduling the pick-up of a refrigerator the convenience fee will be 2.5% of the $20 price, or $0.50.
Electronic debits using check (“E-check”): $2.00 flat fee per purchase.
WE NO LONGER ACCEPT VISA (see FAQ's)

You can still make payments in-person during business hours at Public Works' office at 147 Hampshire Street. We are open Monday 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon. In person transactions can be paid for by cash, check, credit card (MasterCard and Discover) and debit card (MasterCard). Convenience fees will apply to all credit card, debit card and E-check payments whether in-person or online. There is no convenience fee for payments made by cash or check.

Some additional information about convenience fees and credit card policies

Every time a customer pays by credit card or electronic debit, the City is charged a processing fee. The cost of these fees has been growing over the years with the increase in credit card use. The City decided in fiscal year 2012 to implement convenience fees to refrain from passing along these costs to taxpayers.

The City does not receive any revenue from convenience fees. Convenience fees are assessed by our third party processor, Govolution, LLC, for the handling, bank processing, transaction fees and secure delivery of online payments.

Both MasterCard and Discover allow third-party processers to assess a convenience fee based on a percentage of the purchase price, while Visa requires a flat fee for non-tax purchases. Public Works permits vary greatly by price and it would not have been possible to implement an equitable flat fee.

All municipalities are paying approximately the same costs for convenience fees per transaction. Municipalities cannot legally absorb the cost for credit and debit card transactions for online payments for real estate and personal property taxes. The fees associated with other payments are comparable with those of other communities.

For additional information about any of our business practices, please contact Assistant Commissioner for Administration, Rebecca Fuentes or Fiscal Director, Ellen Katz .