Blind woman threatened with property lien for one-cent bill

A blind 74-year-old South Attleboro, Massachusetts woman received a bill from the city stating that if she does not pay an outstanding utility balance of one penny by Dec. 10 she will face penalties of up to $48, along with a lien on her property.

City Collector Debora Marcoccio said the bill was sent out along with more than 2,000 others as the city tries to recoup outstanding balances before resorting to putting liens on property.

A computer automatically printed the letters for any account with a balance remaining, and they were not reviewed by staff before being sent out.

"It would be fiscally irresponsible for me to have staff weed through the bills and pull out any below a certain amount," Marcoccio said.

It would seem to us that it would be fiscally irresponsible to not have the computer billing program set to kick out amounts under a certain amount for review prior to mailing.

Better yet, have such small amounts simply added to the next month’s bill. The poor lady has lived at her address since 1959! Give her a break already!

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OK, everyone together now - lets give one big Bronx cheer (as shown below) to the South Attleboro, Massachusetts City Collector!



Phhhhhllllllerrrrrrrrtt....
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