By Lauren Otis, Staff Writer
Princeton Township is ready to “go live” in accepting credit cards for a variety of transactions in all its municipal departments, Township Chief Financial Officer Kathryn Monzo announced at Monday evening’s Township Committee meeting.
Ms. Monzo also said neither the township nor residents incurred any extra transaction fees for credit card payments as a result of an agreement with the township’s credit card processor, PNC Bank, not to charge the township any processing fees.
A day later, on Tuesday evening, Princeton Borough Council approved its own arrangement for municipal credit card transactions which would pass along credit card transaction fees to those making payments in the form of a convenience fee.
According to the borough ordinance which was adopted, credit card payments up to $50 would be assessed a $1 convenience fee; from $51 to $100 a $2 dollar fee; from $101 to $150 a $3 fee; from $151 to $200 a $4 fee; and for credit card transactions over $201 a $5 fee or the actual transaction fee would be charged, whichever was greater.
The ordinance passed Borough Council unanimously, with Council President Andrew Koontz absent.
Those who paid their parking fees by credit card in the Spring Street garage would be charged the convenience fee, but would be encouraged to use smart cards to pay, which they could fill by credit card at no extra charge, Councilwoman Barbara Trelstad noted.
Signs would be posted throughout the garage informing patrons of the new fees and giving them the option of paying by other means if they wanted to avoid the convenience fees, Councilman David Goldfarb said.
In an interview, Ms. Monzo said the township’s agreement with PNC not to be charged credit processing fees went back to late 2005 when the township first began accepting credit card payment in the tax collection process.
PNC Bank is one of the township’s largest deposit holders, keeping township tax receipts and other major accounts for the municipality, Ms. Monzo said.
”We worked out an arrangement with them, they provide the merchant service, Visa and Mastercard,” without passing along processing fees.
PNC was able to do so because they have their own credit card processing operation rather than using a third party processor as many banks do, Ms. Monzo said.
”They really did step up to the plate,” Ms. Monzo said. “They have been great partners with us. I am just pleased to be able to offer residents credit card services without passing on any fees to them. They pay enough in taxes,” she said.
Township residents can now make credit card payments to the clerk’s office — for dog licenses for example — as well as to the zoning and inspections offices, and for permits with the construction and building department, Ms. Monzo said. The Police Department will also take credit card payment for police reports and, starting in April, the township Municipal Court will accept credit cards, she said.
Residents can already make online credit card payments for taxes but for now will need to still come in to the other departments when paying by credit card, Ms. Monzo said. The exception is township inspectors will have a portable credit card processing machine and will be able to accept credit cards out in the field, she said.

