34 South Main St., Attleboro, MA - Directions - (508) 222-7000
News
City wants her cent
 Eileen Wilbur, who has lived at 16 Glenn St. in South Attleboro since 1959, received a bill from the city Monday 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. (Staff photo by Mark Stockwell)
Top Headlines Bill threatens lien, penalty to elderly, blind homeowner who owes one cent
ATTLEBORO - A 74-year-old blind woman has been told a lien will be put on her South Attleboro home if she doesn't come up with a penny she owes on an outstanding utility bill.Eileen Wilbur, of Glenn Street, said she discovered the notice of the potential lien after her daughter, Rose Brederson, came over to read her mail. "It's so upsetting," Wilbur said. "It sent my blood pressure up so high." The city sent Wilbur a letter dated Nov. 10 stating that if the 1 cent balance is not paid by Dec. 10, the city will assess a lien of up to $48 on Wilbur's next property tax bill. "They wasted taxpayer money on the letter," Wilbur said, noting the 42-cent charge for a stamp.  South Attleboro resident Eileen Wilbur's bill from the city is for one penny. (Staff photo by Mark Stockwell)
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, Marcoccio said. "It would be fiscally irresponsible for me to have staff weed through the bills and pull out any below a certain amount," Marcoccio said. " And what would that amount be?" According to the letter, the outstanding balance stems from a water and sewer bill from fiscal year 2008, which ran from July 2007 to July 2008. Marcoccio said that before lien notices are sent out, the city sends out bills for the outstanding balance. "My question is, how come it wasn't paid when the bills went out?" she said. In the meantime, the city is holding firm on the amount due. Marcoccio, who called the whole situation "ridiculous," said the city will not waive the balance. "If there's a bill, it must be paid," she said. Brederson said her mother was very upset by the situation, but will likely end up paying the penny to avoid having the cost rise. "The whole thing is absolutely ridiculous," she said. MATT KAKLEY can be reached at 508-236-0333 or at mkakley@thesunchronicle.com.
View Comments » No comments posted.
« Hide Comments
|
la71009 wrote on Nov 20, 2008 6:31 AM:
hahahahaha "
1234 wrote on Nov 19, 2008 10:09 PM:
Where do you draw the line on how much the water utility can ignore, one cent, two cents maybe 3 cents? When you add up a few thousands people who might owe a penny or two it does add up. As chintzy as it may sound the water utility is correct, however, to threaten to put a lien on her house is going to far.
Spending 42 cents on a stamp in order to collect 1 cent is outrageous. What they ought to do is add the 1 penny on to her next bill, with a statement of explanation. This could save thousands of tax payers dollars. "
ricknkim wrote on Nov 19, 2008 8:30 PM:
offended wrote on Nov 19, 2008 3:41 PM:
jose21 wrote on Nov 19, 2008 2:47 PM:
offended wrote on Nov 19, 2008 1:47 PM:
Ecoclimber wrote on Nov 19, 2008 1:30 PM:
Auk wrote on Nov 19, 2008 11:24 AM:
" Where's George Bailey when you need him? "
If George reads the comments from some of the regular posters on this website, he probably jumped off the bridge. "
splumb wrote on Nov 19, 2008 9:51 AM:
bear wrote on Nov 19, 2008 8:40 AM:
All of you should know the facts behind the entire process - oh that's right the SC doesn't want you to know that. Kirby sends out a rookie to cover a "non-story" and it turns out that he ends up using it as front page fodder. What he didn't do is have his intrepid reporter research the facts of the case. What date was the bill actually from? How many previous notices were sent? What is the procedure for placing utility bills on someones tax bill? Is $48 a flat fee or is that the highest amount that can be charged? What did previous Collectors do in this case?
Doug stated:"since our present tax collector has been running the office you at least get a smile when you pay your bill."
I'll take the last guy, at least he told you as it was. "
antique1960 wrote on Nov 19, 2008 7:40 AM:
antique1960 wrote on Nov 19, 2008 7:38 AM:
rofrak wrote on Nov 19, 2008 6:46 AM:
been there wrote on Nov 19, 2008 6:15 AM:
JoeG wrote on Nov 19, 2008 2:19 AM:
jose21 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 11:14 PM:
Ecoclimber wrote on Nov 18, 2008 11:01 PM:
What so upsetting is the lack of compassion and common sense in the comments concerning a women who has been paying on the property for close to 50 years.
However, when the government wastefully spend taxpayers dollars, it's usually shrugged off with a comment, oh well. What I really like to know is why don't people complain when it really matters such as a recent disclosure that the Pentagon paid a small South Carolina company run by twin sisters nearly $1 million to ship two 19-cent washers to an Army base in Texas? "
mytwocents wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:40 PM:
KF2050 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:36 PM:
dallasreader wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:13 PM:
casino1 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:34 PM:
KHMass wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:18 PM:
headspin wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:06 PM:
mwrightgrdx wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:00 PM:
The fools could have avoided this if they could only figure out how to set their computers to question all bills for less than, say, $1.00, before printing. "
TomFromRiskManagement wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:53 PM:
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:20 PM:
whocares247 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 6:52 PM:
whocares247 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 6:44 PM:
obamama wrote on Nov 18, 2008 6:40 PM:
obamama wrote on Nov 18, 2008 6:37 PM:
casino1 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 6:28 PM:
We are not dealing with a credit card company with a call center in India, we are talking about the person who lives IN ATTL EBORO, who WE ELECTED!! Maybe next years election will bring forth a friendlier face to the office of Collector........ "
toro95037 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 6:23 PM:
reason wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:56 PM:
themadking wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:54 PM:
You want REAL rude and insulting? Try contesting a sham city ordinance you know is illegal (as has since been ruled such) at Somerville City Hall. You'll be reaching for an RPG.
Try getting a screwup that has nothing to do with you out of the MA DMV. I've tried for 18 years with no success.
Try contesting a parking ticket at Boston City Hall after a sewer cover sticking a foot out of the ground with no warning markers caused $1500 in damage to your front end and forced you to park in front of the South Station Post Office because you couldn't drive any further. No parking zone, don't you know.
Try moving to another state and then six years later getting a four-figure MA state tax bill that doubled over that time in fees and penalties, even though the state knew where you were the whole time because of UE claims and previous tax return filings.
It's enough to make you want to join Al Qaeda.
After due consideration, I moved to NH instead. But if AQ ever wants to attack MA government offices, I'm there. I know who the good guys are in that instance. "
deimonte38 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:50 PM:
deimonte38 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:45 PM:
themadking wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:45 PM:
You want REAL rude and insulting? Try contesting a sham city ordinance you know is illegal (as has since been ruled such) at Somerville City Hall. You'll be reaching for an RPG.
Try getting a screwup that has nothing to do with you out of the MA DMV. I've tried for 18 years with no success.
Try contesting a parking ticket at Boston City Hall after a sewer cover sticking a foot out of the ground with no warning markers caused $1500 in damage to your front end and forced you to park in front of the South Station Post Office because you couldn't drive any further. No parking zone, don't you know.
Try moving to another state and then getting a four-figure MA state tax bill that doubled over that time in fees and penalties, even though the state knew where you were the whole time because of UE claims and previous tax return filings.
It's enough to make you want to join Al Qaeda.
After due consideration, I moved to NH instead. But if AQ ever wants to attack MA government offices, I'm there. I know who the good guys are in that instance. "
Guilden_NL wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:38 PM:
Sam Adams is spinning in his grave! "
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:27 PM:
Guilden_NL wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:24 PM:
mike wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:22 PM:
themadking wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:20 PM:
Example: in 1990, when I returned from Florida, there was a hold on my driver's license renewal because of an offense someone else with the same name committed in FLA. I had to go through three offices in the Boston DMV before the issue was resolved and I was finally allowed to renew my license. It was an all-day nightmare.
Guess what? It was never resolved. In 2002 and 2007, NH DMV twice held up my license renewal. Why? Because there was an outstanding issue from MA going back to 1990 regarding a FL driver with the same name as mine. Go figure, huh?
18 years that mistake has been in the system, and I can't get it out, even though they told me it was a done deal.
And that's just scratching the surface.
If this woman is smart, she'll pay her penny and get the hell out of the system before it crushes her.
There's a lot I like about MA, but the governments REALLY suck! They'll squeeze a blind woman for a penny, but have absolutely no problem shelling out welfare and Medicaid to 30,000-plus illegals.
MA residents, they're all yours. You can have them. You made your beds by voting them in, you can lie in 'em. "
mytwocents wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:16 PM:
Guilden_NL wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:14 PM:
PS Temp today 79 at 3pm. Shot a 72 in golf. "
86F here in Arizona. Very smart people move AWAY from big government, and fight to keep it small.
The big question is, what took you so long to leave that cesspool behind? ;-) "
casino1 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:13 PM:
What goes around comes around, and maybe someday Marcoccio will have someone treat her with such disrespect. When that day happens I hope she remembers how coldly she treated this woman.
It all could have been handled much better. Even Comcast the almighty will tack on a small amount if you don't pay the correct amount....bet the woman has always piad her bills too. "
jimflorida wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:11 PM:
PS Temp today 79 at 3pm. Shot a 72 in golf. "
Metal70s wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:00 PM:
I'd march into the billing office with my biiling statement and pluck down the $500 and let them flail to make change...
what arrogant a$$holes! "
A Sun Reader wrote on Nov 18, 2008 4:49 PM:
keiffers wrote on Nov 18, 2008 4:48 PM:
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 4:37 PM:
bryansc wrote on Nov 18, 2008 4:31 PM:
Guilden_NL wrote on Nov 18, 2008 4:28 PM:
I couldn't live in the East with people represented here living around me. Have your evil government and live with the resulting Karma. Thankfully there are those who will still fight back tyranny! Sam Adams, the masses of arses in Mass need your wisdom! "
plaasjaapie wrote on Nov 18, 2008 4:22 PM:
" I wonder how many previous bills she recieved asking her to pay? "
Lordy! All this instead of simply rolling over the amount due and adding it to the next utility bill. A stunned duckling could have figure that one out. "
jose21 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 4:19 PM:
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 4:19 PM:
proud wrote on Nov 18, 2008 4:16 PM:
plaasjaapie wrote on Nov 18, 2008 4:02 PM:
"If Mrs. Wilber had paid" all" of her taxes, she wouldn't of been in the computer. No matter the amount!!!! "
I've never heard anywhere of a utility bill being considered to be a tax. Things appear to be VERY different when one enters the alternate universe of Attleboro, though. "
proud wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:58 PM:
plaasjaapie wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:34 PM:
" I don't know what ROTFLMAO is.""
Haven't heard of Google, either, I suspect. :-p "
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:34 PM:
plaasjaapie wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:31 PM:
Don't you people understand the bill was system generated???????? "
I bet you tried the "the dog ate my homework" gambit when you were in K-12, probably more than once.
Ultimately, people create the systems and the how the systems perform are a valid reflection of the people who created them. "
juegofb wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:30 PM:
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:27 PM:
Attleboro is not a small town. Attleboro is a City to be proud of full of history, industry, parks, zoos, museums, caring and EDUCATED people and more. We are not inbred and stupid. The only ridiculous thing about this entire story is a woman complaining about paying a penny. I bet if she were nice when she first called City Hall on their glitch the person on the other end of the phone would have chuckled and paid the penny for her at that moment. Something tells me anyone that would call the newspaper about a billing glitch could be a major whack job and the type of person our lovely City can do without. "
ddm77 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:26 PM:
jmacleve wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:23 PM:
I don't see why any bill less than $.50 couldn't just be rolled over to the next bill.
How silly. "
plaasjaapie wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:17 PM:
Before you accuse people of having brain damage, try to write at least one sentence without 20 spelling errors in it.
ROTFLMAO! Can't count can you?
Listen, it's the age of the internet. It used to be that a small town like yours could get comfortably inbred and stupid like yours obviously is and continence all kinds of bizarre behaviour from it's citizenry because word of such ridiculousness likely wouldn't make it past the next town. These days, however, the whole world reads your newspaper.
How do you think this story goes over to the team putting together a high-tech startup that's looking for a sane, stable place to locate? You're very well located for that sort of thing, mind. Who in their right mind would voluntarily subject themselves to the kind of nonsense that this story describes? "
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:11 PM:
wfk21 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:11 PM:
"In in rationally organised town if you overpay or underpay your utility bills the outstanding balance is carried over to your next month's bill."
HAHAHAHA, you don't know Attleboro!!!
ps Mrs Wilbur, Are you going to declare all the pennies you recieve as unearned incomce on you tax return?
Stirring the pot for the sake of it!!!! hehehe "
ddm77 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:09 PM:
oregonnative wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:05 PM:
I paid a bill and the company added an extra zero to the amount. This made a several thousand dollar difference and the company said it would take them 6 - 8 weeks to refund the amount, with no interest. I went to the bank and they fixed the problem immediately. There is a reason to keep your bills and copies of checks. "
will1234 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:02 PM:
Econ101 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:49 PM:
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:48 PM:
plaasjaapie wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:43 PM:
In in rationally organised town if you overpay or underpay your utility bills the outstanding balance is carried over to your next month's bill.
Whoever is the freak who invented this ridiculous administrative procedure out to retrain to say "do you want fries with that?" Same goes for the nitwits like Debora Marcoccio. The usual procedure for unpaid utility bills is to shut off services when the bill gets a few months behind, not put a lien on the property for a one cent balance due.
Oh yeah, now it makes sense. This happened in the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts. LOL! That explains it. "
backofthepack wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:28 PM:
A 1-cent bill sent your blood pressure up, is she serious? What would make her happy an apology from the city of Attleboro for people doing their job?
Pay the penny and move on (may I suggest an envelope and stamp), you've wasted enough of the City of Attleboro's time. Will it be breaking news when she actually pays it? Can't wait for that follow story in the paper.
Matt Kakley and the Sun Chronicle should truly be embarrassed this story was even printed. This is newsworthy? Wow. "
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:26 PM:
Eileen Wilbur
16 Glenn Street
South Attleboro, MA
Send 2 or 3 just in case she has some other bills she's short on. "
ricknkim wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:26 PM:
I received a credit card offer for my son who is 13 months old - maybe I should call the SC and get on the front page with my complete disgust and outrage that such a thing should be allowed to happen . . . beacuse of a computer glitch.
People are all over this as if it is of some importance (it is not) and then personally attacking the tax collector's character. BUT when they see someone in an accident or broken down on the side of the road, they can't be bothered. Fools. "
Vorenious wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:21 PM:
The idiots! "
wtf22 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:18 PM:
Momof3 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:10 PM:
jose21 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:09 PM:
KHMass wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:05 PM:
obamama wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:59 PM:
wfk21 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:50 PM:
Additionally "You are a good global citizen, submit, obey, no matter..."
NOT...I drive a gas suzzler,blast my horn at slower cars, don't hold doors for woman, keep my lights on way too much, eat red meat, don't recycle, hunt for sport, scoff at the establishment and spit in your general direction... "
momof3 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:49 PM:
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:48 PM:
This amazes me....someone else made a good point about the REAL problems in the City....what's happening here? "
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:42 PM:
momof3 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:39 PM:
kat51 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:35 PM:
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:34 PM:
dcrawf777 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:32 PM:
Let the city keep spending 42 times the amount they are taking in. You are a good global citizen, submit, obey, no matter how absurd...there is no such thing as a bad government move. And you my friend get to pay the bill, not the city. Sound familiar.... bailout.... the war will pay for itself... you're with us or them....Recall Dumas "
Deegie from Texas wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:24 PM:
gator77 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:21 PM:
Two can play their little game! Imagine if 1000 people each do the same thing.. thats $410 in postage to either mail receipts, or to send refunds! "
wfk21 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:20 PM:
jose21 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:17 PM:
Ireg2post1 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:14 PM:
indybearfan88 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:11 PM:
indybearfan88 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:08 PM:
Baddog wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:07 PM:
Econ101 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:06 PM:
Make it payable to: City of Attleboro
Reference Eileen Wilburs account number 01-17900200
Mail to:
City Collector
77 Park Street
P.O. Box 4127
Attleboro MA 02703
FYI Paying by credit card is not a good option. There is a $3 fee. "
natownie wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:06 PM:
rotfl wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:04 PM:
That's funny - a whole city sending pennies.
I can't wait to see a followup story on the number of pennies sent in from across the country. "
citizenofattleboro wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:55 PM:
dcrawf777 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:45 PM:
The idiocy of the situation is paying 42 times the amount collected to collect it. With that justification Spending 42 million to collect 1 million in corp tax would be justified as long as you the taxpayer had to make up the 41 million dollar difference and not the smiley tax collector. That's the problem with the economy. Spending more to make money than you are taking in. Recall Dumas! "
dodgeman wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:27 PM:
Kevin h. wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:22 PM:
deimonte38 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:20 PM:
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:12 PM:
Reader11722 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:07 PM:
Israel and 9/11, here:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=309228910&blogID=441442669 "
jose21 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:01 PM:
magbag8282 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 11:54 AM:
This chick should lose her job. This shows that she does not have any concept of efficient government. Some one will use this against the council come election time. "
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 11:51 AM:
ghostsouls wrote on Nov 18, 2008 11:43 AM:
sunnie13 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 11:39 AM:
mtmkjr wrote on Nov 18, 2008 11:36 AM:
"Why would it be upsetting to get a bill for .01???
If that happened to be I'd be tickled silly, not upset. It is just an example of the funny things that can happen in a computer age.
I'd send the penny and have a good laugh. If she owed a penny, she should pay the penny! Why not? It is better than owing 100 pennies! "
doug wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:53 AM:
offended wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:52 AM:
doug wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:49 AM:
broomwine wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:48 AM:
Debora Marcoccio
City Collector
77 Park Street
P.O. Box 4127
Attleboro MA 02703 "
ChuckLHeade wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:35 AM:
disgusted999 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:31 AM:
smiley1 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:24 AM:
Not for nothing but let's face it there are alot of dead beats who do not want to pay their "bills" or perhaps they were "overlooked" and then they City goes after us to make increases so we have to pay for it in the long run.
So I say- pay the penny! "
dcrawf777 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:21 AM:
The city is spending 42 times the amount they are collecting. Can you spell village idiot?? I knew you could. Attleboro, unhindered by progress since 1694. They have now probably spent hundreds of dollars (in time and PR) to collect a penny. BRILLIANT!! Re-elect Dumas. "
qcdude3 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:19 AM:
"As soon as I became aware of the situation I paid the penny myself, its clear the city needs to review the current process maybe we can make adjustment to our notification process through the computer program. At any rate all automated process are somewhat inadequate simply because they attempt to have a 'one size fits all' solution, we can do better." "
Nemsud wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:12 AM:
Would you like it if we were to take complete discretion away from an officer when he has you pulled to the side of the road? He has the discretion to simply warn you or ticket you. Maybe we should require that he ticket you 100% of the time.
Lay off the lady and let her exercise her right to political protest. "
pbw1234 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:06 AM:
WHCM wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:56 AM:
However, if she is as pig-headed as she appears to be, the staff could waste their time and taxpayer resources by reviewing the bills for less than one dollar kicked out by the computer.
This woman needs to be removed from office. In addition to being incompetent for her job, she is a menace. Sorry you folks are stuck with her! "
Pirateprosecutor wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:51 AM:
ricknkim wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:36 AM:
The lien was computer generated - a stupid thing, yes, but in the big scheme is it really something to get upset over and call to the attention of the SC? No.
Save the drama for your mama . . . there goes your 15 seconds of fame madam, hope it was worth it. "
Reason wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:32 AM:
16-18.4 (Amended 5/3/05) Bills for sewer use charges shall be issued on the same cycle as water bills and shall be de and payable within thirty (30) days of the billing date. Interest at the rate of twelve (12%) percent per annum from the date of the bill to the date of payment shall be collected for sewer use charges not paid within thirty (30) days of the date of the bill and thus deemed to be delinquent. any delinquent sewer use charge, together with the interest due, shall constitute a lien upon the real estate for which such service is supplied. Such items shall be processed in the same manner of liens for unpaid water bills. This ordinance to be effective May 5, 2005, with the Council giving permission to the Collector to enclosed a separate notice highlighting the change. "
doug wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:15 AM:
realist wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:04 AM:
I guess they need every penny for the ARA. Am I the first to mention that today? "
khmass wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:51 AM:
spookey wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:39 AM:
RetireeInAttleboro wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:37 AM:
Hojo20 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:36 AM:
mia wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:52 AM:
One penny???
I've lived here for 12+ years and my love for this city is beginning to die more and more. "
Reason wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:50 AM:
chartley-sam mentioned, yes a slow news day. I would have gone to the collectors office with a penny and laughed about it rather then calling the paper. "
friday25 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:34 AM:
HARRY HINDSIGHT wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:24 AM:
Reason wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:18 AM:
Print letters for balances > $1 or whatever arbitrary amount makes sense. I'm no computer wizard but I believe computers are capable of such tasks. I would also think that a priority should be put on unpaid/ignored bills and move to the threat of a lien if two bills in a row are unpaid.
This is a profitable move by the city. $48 would more then cover the postage and administration fees associated with the collection of a penny. "
outfall1945 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 6:33 AM:
chartley-sam wrote on Nov 18, 2008 6:31 AM: