Barre Residents Told They Owe Back Taxes

Officials in the town of Barre are investigating why so many residents have been told they owe back property taxes when they claim to have paid them.

David Tuttle, chairman of the town Finance Committee, said the problem goes back to at least 2005 and happened under the town's prior tax collector, who was replaced last summer.

Tuttle says he too was told he owed back taxes, but was able to find copies of canceled checks to confirm he had paid them.

Not all residents can.

The Telegram & Gazette reports that longtime town resident Ann Dennis was told she owes property taxes for five of the past seven years. She says she paid cash and has no record of the payments.

So far, no criminal investigation has been launched.