Marion looks to go cash free when accepting payments

Jun 19, 2019

MARION — Selectmen eventually envision a Marion where residents wouldn’t use cash to pay for any town services. But that vision is still a ways off.

The board and Town Administrator took the first small step in the direction of money management change by having Treasurer-Collector Katherine Milligan present on a new currency management policy at a June 18 meeting.

The policy that Milligan drafted would help the town to get money into the treasurer’s office in what Milligan described as “a reasonable amount of time,” and would tell departments what they could do with checks or cash.

Currently the town can take cash, checks or most other means of transferring funds except credit cards. The only department that currently accepts cards is the Recreation Department, through their online portal.

McGrail noted that the transition to being less reliant on cash will be harder with limited credit card capability.

However, until the town can get a more widespread credit card system it may implement a new policy, like having the treasurer’s department be the only department in Town Hall that can accept cash.

Selectman John Waterman said that he was surprised at the number of departments that are still taking cash. “The more we narrow that down, practically, without creating a hardship for departments, the better,” he said.

Milligan said she was surprised by the number too.

Selectmen accepted Milligan’s currency management policy with only one minor revision, and asked Milligan to come back before the board in three months to report on how the policy works.