# Story Highlights
# The overdue bill was from a water bill from the previous year.
# City officials say the letter was computer generated and not reviewed.
# The woman says she'll pay the penny

ATTLEBORO, Massachusetts (AP) -- A 74-year-old blind woman was shocked when her daughter found a letter from the city saying a lien would be placed on her home unless she paid an overdue water bill.

The amount? 1 cent.

Eileen Wilbur told The Sun Chronicle of Attleboro the letter sent her blood pressure soaring, and pointed out that stamps cost 42 cents.

City Collector Debora Marcoccio said the letter was among 2,000 sent out. A computer automatically prints letters for accounts with an overdue balance, and they are not reviewed by staff before being mailed, she said.

The letter warned of a lien and a $48 penalty if the overdue bill is not paid by December 10. The charge was from the previous fiscal year, which ran from July 2007 to July 2008.

"My question is, how come it wasn't paid when the (original) bills went out?" Marcoccio said.

Wilbur's daughter, Rose Brederson, who discovered the bill in her mother's mail, called the situation "ridiculous." But she said her mother, who has lived in the home since 1959, would likely end up paying the penny

That is just RIDICULOUS!!!!

Hmm, maybe because gas was over $3.00 a gallon at the time (not worth driving to pay 1¢), stamps are 42¢ (again, not worth it), and THE WOMAN IS BLIND????

MY question: why didn't they just add it to her next bill???

What the heck is wrong with some people????

I was looking for this City Collector's email address so I could send her a piece of my mind when I found this:
Antonio Viveiros: Not A Douchebag | Douchebag Report(tm)

But I like this blogger's take on it:

crazy!

Thanks for the update. I read the story and was sick to my stomach that they could put a lien on her house for a penny. Give me a break.....

I know a Collector and Mayor who won't be re-elected!