By Bob Katzen

This legislation  prohibits cities and towns from publishing the name of a veteran who owes the municipality taxes. Instead, the veterans’ service officer (VSO) of the city or town would contact the veteran privately and provide him or her with information regarding their overdue tax situation. Many cities and towns publish the names of their taxpayers who owe the municipality back taxes.

“The least we can do is have our VSOs make a personal visit to the residences of those who wore the uniform of our country to inform them of any outstanding municipal tax obligations, honoring their service and maintaining their dignity,” said the bill’s sponsor Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham). “In today’s world of technology and connectivity, public notifications via newspaper is a tool of the past. There are a lot of competing legislative priorities and I do intend to re-file the legislation next session, as I have for the previous two sessions.”