HOULTON, Maine – Between vehicle registrations, tax payments and applications for dog licenses, the town office was “extremely busy” Monday, according to Lauren Asselin, Houlton’s tax collector.
Among those stopping in was Anthony Pellegrini who replaced a mangled dog tag with a new one. Pellegrini said his chocolate Labrador retriever, Arthur, celebrated New Year’s Eve by chewing up his dog tag. “It’s not the first time it’s happened,” said Asselin who added that sometimes the tags just get lost. The replacement tag only costs $2.
Although cats do not have to be registered, dogs must be licensed. The cost is $6 if the animal has been spayed or neutered. Otherwise the cost is $11. But, if the owner waits past Jan. 31, Asselin said it starts to mount up starting with a late fee of $25. “Then, the animal control officer starts knocking on your door. And, there are warrant fees and court fees.”
Houlton Tax Club
Also keeping administrative staff busy on the first work day of the new year were residents paying taxes or enrolling in the Houlton Tax Club. Asselin said the benefit of the tax club is that it allows homeowners and business owners to spread out payments over 12 months instead of paying one lump sum in October. An additional benefit is that it allows the town to have more flexibility with working capital, avoid borrowing and potentially save taxpayers money that would have been spent on borrowing fees.
Information about the tax club is available by calling the town office at 532-7111 or by stopping in at 21 Water St.