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Brookfield selectmen approve townwide over‑the‑counter card payments, limit town cost to devices
Summary
The selectmen authorized the town to accept customer credit- and ACH-payments through a Heartland account, approving a non‑Bluetooth card reader and a yearly swipe‑out replacement plan. The town will not absorb processing fees; customers will pay convenience charges shown before payment.
Brookfield Town selectmen voted to enable over‑the‑counter credit‑card and ACH payments and to buy a card‑processing device, approving the non‑Bluetooth model and an annual replacement (swipe‑out) plan.
The action followed a presentation about setting up a separate Heartland account for card and ACH receipts. Matt, town staff member, said the town “got everything in place with the Heartland to set up a separate account for ACH and credit card payments” and that “there's no fees for the town.” He added the only town cost would be the card‑processing device itself.
The selectmen discussed two device options: a $325 model that does not use Bluetooth and a $550 Bluetooth model that can be used off‑site. Matt said the $550 option is primarily useful for off‑site events and that a $85 annual “swipe out” plan is available to ensure replacements remain compatible. After asking whether customers would see fees before swiping, Steve Berry, a resident, was told the system displays “exactly what the total will be, what the fees will be” before completing a transaction.
Selectman (unnamed) moved to accept the town staff recommendation for the card system and to include the replacement plan; another selectman seconded. The motion carried by voice vote.
The board instructed staff to post the change publicly and to notify residents about convenience fees. Matt explained the vendor collects the convenience fees — the town will not retain any portion — and gave example fee elements the vendor applies: a 2.99% convenience fee for card transactions, a $2.50 minimum for ACH, and an item fee of $1.75. He also said customers will see any card issuer charges in the payment flow.
The selectmen and staff noted the card device might later be integrated into other town payment systems, but that compatibility depends on different vendors and software (for example, Avatar for building permits). The board agreed to start with counter payments first and consider broader integration later.
Votes at a glance: the board approved the Heartland account setup, purchase of the non‑Bluetooth device and the annual replacement plan by voice vote.
