Townhouse Association considers PayPal

The Townhouse Association Board talked about accepting online payments during its June meeting.

General manager David Whittlesey said that PayPal could be used to accept online payments and, unlike setting up an online payment option through a bank, would not result in a monthly fee.

Flexibility in payment options can help the association get payments more reliably. This option, he said, could be attractive to younger residents.

“With the new generation, a lot of them like to do everything cashless,” he said. “They don’t carry cash, they don’t write checks.”

Whittlesey said the association would need a bank account to deposit these funds in and suggested opening a separate cash account with Arvest.

Office manager Beverly Schommer said PayPal does not charge any fees for day-to-day use, but does charge a 2.7 percent fee for any transfers made. By adding a $3 convenience charge to each month paid, he said, the association can essentially accept web-based payments without incurring any new costs.

After some discussion, the board decided to hold off on making a decision while Schommer looks into Arvest merchant services to compare costs.

During the meeting, the board also approved a carport at 5 Everette Lane.

In his general manager’s report, Whittlesey said that an employee who was injured outside of work has returned and a former employee was rehired. This, he said, has improved staffing and allowed the association to make progress on grounds maintenance.