Following up

[vibrantabyss.livejournal.com]

So, the end state of the cities fine accounting system is that (a) writing "water bill" on the check is NOT sufficient to guarantee the funds go to pay the water bill, (b)  about half of that check went to my 3rd (not due when I paid the check) and 4th quarter (not due, even now) real estate taxes, while unpaid water bill earned the city interest, and (c) they claim state regulations dictate the procedures, so not their fault.

Summary of their response:

They are sorry, it was a wacky edge case, but they are not allowed (by state law) to refund interest charges, or pay interest on a credit kept in one account, while the other account *for the same property* charges me interest.  If I don't like it, I can take it up with the attorney general's office.  Even if I did "waste my time" pursuing it, the most they would have to pay back is 8%.

As it is under $100, not worth fighting city hall.

Comments

[ron_newman]

I suggest bringing this to the attention of the Journal, News, and/or Patch. This should embarrass the city sufficiently to refund your interest charge too, as well as warning other Somerville property owners.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

The city wrongfully giving out parking tickets before the ticketing time in snow emergency resulted in the city saying "we aren't wrong, but just this once, we'll let you go."

It seems shame doesn't work with this city.

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

That's a "face" response to shame, rather than a "guilt" response to shame. But it is a shame response nonetheless, and it was effective - they did what people wanted them to do (forgive the tickets), and they didn't screw it up again after that.

[enveri.livejournal.com]

Agreed. It's the sort of public interest story that alot of news outlets like to run.

[ron_newman]

I just posted a link to this on Denise Taylor's Facebook wall. She was editor of Somerville Patch until last week and now works for Somerville ResiStat.

[lunarcamel.livejournal.com]

You might also hit up Adam at Universal Hub. (http://www.universalhub.com)