Norwich – Norwich taxpayers wishing to pay their property taxes in person can avoid the January long lines at the tax collector’s office and head to local People’s United Bank branches instead.

The city this year switched to Bridgeport-based People’s United Bank as the city’s main bank, and as part of the agreement, the bank will provide Norwich residents the option to make tax payments at all three People’s United Bank branch locations in Norwich this month.

Branches are at 624 W. Main St. in Marcus Plaza; at 42 Town St. inside Stop & Shop Supermarket and at 45 Town St. in the Meadows Plaza.

“We switched to People’s as our main bank,” Norwich Tax Collector Karlene Deal said. “They offered to collect the taxes at their office as a courtesy, so it doesn’t cost the city anything.”

During the month of January, taxpayers can present their current real estate, personal property, motor vehicle or supplemental motor vehicle tax bills at any Norwich People’s United, including the drive-up window, to make tax payments by cash or check.

Delinquent property taxes will not be accepted at bank locations and must be paid at the City Hall tax office. Taxpayers do not need to be bank customers to make their payment at a branch location.

The city also offers an online payment option at http://norwichct.org/taxes, by mail, and in-person payments during normal business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at tax collector’s office on the ground floor at City Hall, 100 Broadway.

“I’ve had quite a few people say that it’s wonderful,” Deal said. “They really appreciate it, because there will be much shorter lines at Peoples during the collection month. It’s a quick, easy way for taxpayers to pay the current bill, and we get the file the next day.”

c.bessette@theday.com