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Finance Department

Show All Answers

1. How do I obtain bid information and bid specifications?

All formal bid information is listed on the Bids and Awards page. In many cases, full bid documents are located on the page or contact information is listed.

2. What do I need to re-register my vehicle?

Please visit the Secretary of State's Online Services webpage to re-register your vehicle. To expedite the re-registration process you will need your expiring registration, insurance card, and odometer reading.

If you have purchased a new or used vehicle from a Maine-licensed dealer, you may pay excise tax and complete the registration process through the Finance Department office (27 Pine Street). You may also purchase new license plates or transfer license plates from another vehicle you own. 

3. How do I register my boat, ATV, or snowmobile?

You may re-register your boat, ATV, or snowmobile online through the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife or come to the City Hall tax collector’s office for a new transaction (27 Pine Street).You will need to bring in your bill of sale for a private or dealer sale. 

4. How do I make a tax payment?

Tax payments are due semi-annually on September 15th and March 15th and may be made by mail or in person at the Tax Collector’s office at City Hall. Please submit the payment stub portion of your tax bill when making payment.

Payment by mail: Check payable to the City of Lewiston
VISA, MC, AMEX, Discover credit/debit cards accepted
*please note that there is a 2.5% portal processing
fee added to the tax payment amount.

Mail payment to: City of Lewiston
Tax Collector’s Office
27 Pine Street
Lewiston, ME. 04240

Payment in person: Cash accepted
Check payable to the City of Lewiston
VISA, MC, AMEX, Discover credit/debit cards accepted
* please note that there is a 2.5% portal processing
fee added to the tax payment amount.

Payment by escrow: Please note that, if you have a tax escrow account with your mortgage lender, the bank will make your tax payment. Therefore, you do not have to make a tax payment directly to the City. If you are unsure, please call your mortgage lender.

5. How do I obtain a copy of my tax bill?

Tax bills are mailed twice a year with the first bill sent out in early August for the 1st installment due September 15th and the 2nd bill sent out in early January for the 2nd installment due March 15th (if the 15th falls on a weekend, it will be due on the Monday following the 15th).

You may now print out your duplicate bill from the City’s website from the link on the Treasury Division’s page under the Finance Department. There is a link there that will access the tax bills. There is also a link on the front page of the City website. It will take a few minutes to download because of the size of the files. Click on the alphabet of the last name and scroll to the bill you want or on the top of the search engine tool bar page click on “EDIT” and than “FILE”. A box will come up and all you have to do is type in the last name or the location of the property and click on “ENTER” and you will be brought to the page.

If you have misplaced your bill, simply go to the City website as instructed above.

6. How do I obtain a Solid Waste ePass and how much does it cost?

If you are the owner of a single family home or a two unit home in the City of Lewiston you are eligible for a free a Solid Waste ePass. If you own more than one single family home or a two unit you may obtain 1 free pass per every building you own.  The 1^st ePass you purchase will expire 1 year from the time it is received or when the limit of 1,000 pounds is reached, if you obtain a second dump pass it will take the same effective expiration date. 

Tenants living in rental property are entitled to purchase one ePass, per year, at a cost of $20.00 which is good for 1 year from date of issue or when the 1,000 pound limit is met. You may obtain these passes at the Solid Waste Facility. 

If you are a three unit owner occupied or a three unit or more and participate in the curb side pickup you are allowed 1 pass for every 3 units you own.  Each pass will cost $20.00 and will expire at the end of our Fiscal year which would be June.  If you are a 3 unit ore more please contact Laura LaBelle in Accounting at (207) 513-3123.

7. How do I register a vehicle, recreational vehicle, motorcycle, trailer that I purchased?

New Registrations
Dealer Sale:
• Sales Tax Form
• Title Application
• Odometer reading
• Proof of Insurance
• Monroney Label*
Private Sale:
• Bill of Sale
• Previous owners Title, signed over to new owner.
• Odometer Reading
• Proof of Insurance
If Transferring
Dealer Sale:
• Registration of vehicle you are transferring from.
• Sales Tax Form
• Title Application
• Odometer reading
• Proof of Insurance
• Monroney Label*
Private Sale:
• Registration of vehicle you are transferring from.
• Bill of Sale
• Previous owners Title, signed over to new owner.
• Odometer Reading
• Proof of Insurance

For vehicles purchased private sale or out of state, only the excise tax will be collected at the Treasurer's office. The remainder of the registration process will be completed at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

*Monroney Label is the Factory Window Sticker which is applied to the vehicle at time of manufacture. It needs only to be provided when registering a new vehicle.

Although it is not required for Registration purposes, please be aware that Maine has a Motor Vehicle Inspection Law for ALL Motor Vehicles and a requirement that you obtain a Maine Operators License within 30 days of becoming a Maine resident.
For more details and information about these and other laws please see the State Of Maine Motor Vehicle Laws Online.

8. What do I do if I lose my registration?

1. For Lewiston residents proceed to City Hall Treasurer's office for a duplicate registration. Cost - $6.00 2. Or proceed to Bureau of Motor Vehicles for a duplicate registration. Cost - $5.00

9. What do I do if I receive a reminder tax notice?

If you receive a reminder notice for taxes, you may call the Treasurer's Office at (207) 513-3131 for information. These notices are sent out to any tax payer that has a balance remaining on the current year's tax bill. This is only a reminder and not a lien notice.

Full and partial payments may be made by phone. We accept all major credit/debit cards*. If paying by check, please make it payable to "City of Lewiston" and mail it to 27 Pine Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240.

* All credit/debit card payments are assessed a 2.5% third party surcharge.

10. What do I do if I receive a tax lien notice?

If you receive a 30 day real estate tax lien notice, you may call the Treasurer's Office at (207) 513-3131 for information. These notices are sent out to any tax payer that has a balance remaining on the current year's bill. This notice should not be disregarded. A lien will be placed on any unpaid balances at the end of the 30 day period.

Full and partial payments may be made by phone. We accept all major credit/debit cards*. If paying by check, please make it payable to "City of Lewiston" and mail to 27 Pine Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240.

* All credit/debit card payments as assessed a 2.5% third party surcharge.

11. Why is there a 2.5% Portal Processing Fee when using credit and debit cards as payments?

All credit and debit card payments are processed through a third-party processor, Maine PayPort. The 2 ½% is the fee assessed by Maine PayPort and the entire amount of that fee goes directly to them.

12. How can I check the status of a vendor payment?

If you are a vendor and are inquiring about a payment you are expecting contact the Accounting Division at 207-513-3123. Any staff member will be happy to assist you in determining the status of your payment.

13. How can I convert from waiting to receive an account payable check to having funds electronically transmitted directly to my account?

A vendor can request The Vendor EFT/ACH Payment Application by contacting the Accounting Division at 207-513-3123 or the form can be downloaded by clicking the following link below. Please fax the completed form to 207-784-2959, Attn: Accounting Division EFT Application

14. How can I obtain a W-9 form to complete?

If you are a vendor and have been asked to provide a W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, the form can be downloaded and completed from the IRS website, www.irs.gov. Please email the completed form to Laura LaBelle at llabelle@lewistonmaine.gov.

IRS Website

15. How can I pay my City of Lewiston invoice?

You can pay your City of Lewiston invoice by mailing a check or credit card payment (a 2.5% credit card portal processing fee applies) to:

City of Lewiston
Treasurer
27 Pine Street
Lewiston, ME 04240

Or by credit card via telephone by calling (207) 513-3131, a 2.5% credit card portal processing transaction fee applies.

Please reference invoice number or customer number on check when mailing payments.

16. How can I learn more about utilizing the Municipal Parking Garages, rates or cancelling my parking card?

The City currently has five parking garages, Oak Street, Canal Street, Southern Gateway, Chestnut Street, and Lincoln Street.

You can park at the daily rate of $1.00 per hour, with a maximum of $6.00, or you can utilize the monthly parking program, see rates below.

Rates (per pass/tag):

Monthly
$55.00 a month
$42.00 a month Downtown Residents Only
$42.00 a month Downtown Small Business (limit of 2 passes)

Yearly/Annual
Non-Downtown Residents
$600.00 Paid in 3 installments or in full July
$300.00 due July
$150.00 due October
$150.00 due January

Business
Annual 50+
$540.00 due July 1st

If an applicant enrolls on or before the 5th of the month, that month’s parking fee will be prorated as needed and a non-refundable card fee of $5.00 will be due at time of application, thereafter you will be billed monthly. After the 5th of the month, the prorated amount for the current month, the full amount of next month’s parking fee, and the non-refundable ca

Municipal Parking Information

17. What is the Apartment Building Solid Waste Program?

The Apartment Building Solid Waste Program is for new owners of multiple unit apartment buildings with three (3) or more dwelling units who elect to receive or continue provided solid waste collection services by the city. The fees are $170.00 per unit per year for this service. The only exemption from this fee is for three unit, owner occupied buildings. The owner must establish and maintain residency to be eligible for this exemption. An owner that demonstrates occupancy of their four or more unit building will receive a trash disposal credit for his/her dwelling unit on their annual bill. This fee will be billed and paid annually in advance with the option to make semiannual payments due June and December. At time of application the first payment will be due as well as a one-time $100.00 application fee per owner. To review the Solid Waste Ordinance, go to the City Clerk's page under the "Code of Ordinance" and go to Chapter 62 Section 13 link. For further information or to submit application please call Laura LaBelle, Staff Account at (207) 513-3123. To download and review the application click the following link:

Apartment Bldg Solid Waste Application

18. How can I obtain the City of Lewiston's financial documents, for example, the annual budget, the Lewiston Capital Improvement Plan or the Comprehensive Annual Financial Statement?

The City of Lewiston provides electronic versions of the annual budget, the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and the annual Lewiston Capital Improvement plan for the current and past nine years on the Finance Department’s webpage. Hardcopy versions of these financial documents are available for public viewing at the City Clerk’s Office – City Hall and at the Lewiston Public Library. Individual hardcopies are available for a fee by contacting Heather Hunter at hhunter@lewistonmaine.gov or 207-513-3017.

Heather Hunter Email

19. How do I offer a suggestion or pay a compliment to the Lewiston Finance Department?

The Finance Department welcomes all suggestions for improvement on services provided and is thrilled to receive feedback when a job is well done. To contact a department individual directly, please find the Department’s Organizational Chart with Contact Information on the Finance Department’s webpage (link). Feedback can also be provided directly to Heather Hunter, Finance Director at City of Lewiston, 27 Pine Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240, 207-513-3017 or hhunter@lewistonmaine.gov. Heather Hunter Email

20. How do I file an insurance claim with the City of Lewiston?

1. Print out “Incident Report” (located on the Finance Dept. page)
2. Fill in the information
3. Get estimates for damages
4. Include pictures (optional)
5. Bring to appropriate department: (if unknown which department, call Marian Ryerson at 207-513-3127 to help determine who should receive the claim) a)Public Works – Cheryl Morin (at the armory) b)Fire – Sherri Castonguay (at Central Fire Station) c)Police – Sandra Brown (at Police Station) d)Recreation – Cheryl Morin (at the Armory) e)Library – Marcela Peres (at the Library)

Incident Report form

21. How do I find out about the sale of City property?

The Purchasing Agent is responsible for the sale of City property once authorized by the City Council. All sales are authorized by either the City Council or Finance Committee depending on the type of transaction. Once the sale of property, both real and personal, are authorized, a bid will be posted under "Bids & Awards" under the Finance Department. Once on the Bids & Awards page, you will find any bids for the sale of City property under the "Sale of City Property" category. To receive notification via e-mail that there is a bid for the sale of property, either real or personal, register at "Notify Me" on the City webpage.

22. How do I register as a vendor for bid information?

At this time, vendor registration requests are sent to the Purchasing Agent with a listing of the types of items or projects of interest. Send your request to Allen Ward attention at: Ph: (207) 513-3040 Fx: (207) 784-2959 Email: award@lewistonmaine.gov Mail: City Building, 27 Pine Street Lewiston, Maine 04240

23. How can I have the Water, Sewer and Stormwater account put in my name?

If you are an owner, you will need to complete an application for service and submit "proof of ownership" to the Utility Services Division at City Hall.

If you are a tenant, you will need to complete and application for services and pay a $100 security deposit to the Utility Services Division at City Hall.

An Application for Service can be obtained by the link below, at the Utility Services Division at City Hall or by contacting the Utility Services Division at (207) 513-3140. Utility Service Application

24. How can I pay my Water and Sewer or Stormwater bills?

There are currently several convenient ways to pay your utility bill.

Pay by Mail
Use the return envelope included with your bill to send payment.

Payments can be mailed to:
Lewiston City Hall
27 Pine Street
Lewiston, Maine 04240

Pay by Phone
Please call the (207) 513-3140

Pay in Person
Lewiston City Hall, 2nd Floor
27 Pine Street, Lewiston

Drive Up and Drop It Off
A drive-up drop box is located at the Lewiston City Hall Building to offer Lewiston residents more convenience when making their utility bill payments. Utility payments can be deposited in the drop box located at the Park Street entrance at City Hall.

Pay Online
Click here to be directed to Lewiston Citizen Self Service.
Lewiston Citizen Self Service

25. What is the Summer Usage Program?

The Sewer Division has a program called the Summer Usage Program. It is a program that gives a sewer discount to customers that use excess water in the summertime.

Once you are on the program, you are on it for the life of your account. You do not need to be placed on the program every year. The program begins on June 1st and ends on November 1st. In order to make sure you receive the credits, make sure not to water your lawn/garden or fill your pool before Memorial Day every year!

You can complete the attached application and bring it to the Utility Services Division at City Hall. Sewer Summer Usage Application

26. If i need an Excavation Permit, where do I go?

You need to go to the Accounting Division at City Hall to apply for a permit. For an Excavation Permit, print and fill out the application at the link below and bring it along with a Certificate of Insurance to the Accounting Division. Once the permit is complete and the fees have been paid, you will receive your permit.

• Excavation and Street Opening Policy (with Fees)
• Excavation Permit Application

27. If I need a Street/Sidewalk Occupancy Permit, what do I do?

For a Street/Sidewalk Occupancy Permit, you will need to print and complete the application below as well as submit a traffic review plan showing the area to be occupied as well as signage and traffic control. Bring all documents to the Accounting Division at City Hall. There are several departments that need to approve the occupancy before the permit process can be completed so the City requires 48 hours to approve the permit request. There is a fee of $58.00 as well as a daily charge up to $232.00 for each occupancy permit. Also the STREET AND SIDEWALK OCCUPANCY POLICY may assist you further.

Street/Sidewalk Occupancy Permit Application

28. What will happen if I don’t pay my stormwater bill?

Sec 1 Title 30-A M.R.S.A., § 3406 An Act To Allow Municipalities To Place Liens for Failure To Pay Stormwater Assessments Be advised, effective October 15, 2013, the City of Lewiston will begin pursuing delinquent stormwater charges through the lien process. In accordance with Section 1 of Title 30-A M.R.S.A., § 3406, any person failing to pay the stormwater service fee when due shall be subject to having a stormwater lien recorded against their property, to secure the payment of the outstanding charges. Said lien will be filed at the Androscoggin Registry of Deeds. To prevent the recording of the lien, all past due stormwater and interest charged must be paid. This lien takes precedence over all other claims on the real estate, excepting only claims for taxes and sewer. If a lien is filed, you may lose your property unless you pay the charges, plus interest and the costs of securing and enforcing the lien.