By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The village is not waiving the 5 percent fee charged to those who pay their taxes in two installments.

None of the three village trustees present on Tuesday night made a motion on a proposition to ax the extra charge.

Trustee Tim Ahlfeld, who was absent from the meeting, had suggested getting rid of the fee to help elderly people on fixed income.

The trustees on Tuesday said they want to keep it because it’s a revenue stream already worked into the proposed 2015-2016 budget. They would have to raise taxes to make up the projected $29,000 difference.

“I can’t see adding on to every taxpayer to offset the expense of the group that uses that installment option,” Trustee Matt Lebire said.

“You took the words right out of my mouth,” Trustee Francis Carvel replied.

Mayor Tim Currier said getting rid of the fee could burden the village tax collector’s office because more people may opt to make two payments, since there’s no penalty.

“The girls downstairs avoid taking time off during June, so if you extend that into July, you’re going to have [issues],” he said.

As it is now, people have to pay their taxes by July 1. They can opt to pay half by July 1 and the remainder by Aug. 1, with a 5 percent interest payment added to the second installment.