LIVERMORE — Selectpersons have agreed to increase the photocopy charge to 50 cents and to charge $15 per hour for Freedom of Access Act requests after the first hour, Administrative Assistant Kurt Schaub said.
The new rates will go into effect with the adoption of a written policy, expected at the next meeting on Oct. 21, he said.
It had been suggested that towns adopt a written policy governing photocopying, fax services, and charges for Freedom of Access requests, Schaub said.
For at least 13 years, Livermore has charged 15 cents for photocopies, and $1 per page for faxing. Over time, costs have increased.
Town Clerk Renda Guild did an informal survey of area town offices and their charges for these services.
“Our fax charge is still reasonable though our copy charge should increase to at least 25 cents each,” Schaub said he told the board Oct. 7.
One town charges for incoming faxes as well, he said, including for insurance cards.
In addition, the Maine Freedom of Access Act allows towns to charge for time, after the first hour, to perform research for those requests, he said.
Until recently, that charge had been $10 per hour. The law now allows for $15 per hour to be charged, he said.
Schaub said he will draft a policy for the board to consider.
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