City aims to settle uncashed checks
Officials estimate debt at $300,000
The city of Quincy is trying to settle its debts with more than 1,000 people who have outstanding checks issued by the city over the last decade.
It's the first time the Quincy treasurer's office has tried to track down the owners of these checks, which total upwards of $300,000, according to its records. The city recently posted a list on its website with the names of 1,157 would-be payees, including residents, current and former city employees, and such businesses as Quincy Car Wash and the Wollaston Yacht Club.
''We're trying to get caught up on this and comply with the law," said Quincy Treasurer James L. Chiccino.
The abandoned checks, which range from $1 to more than $26,000, were issued for various reasons, according to city officials. Take Kristin Gaxho, who is owed $105.07 for nine work-study checks she received between 2002 and 2003 from the city. Jean C. Tracy is the payee on one of the largest uncashed checks, a $26,148 property tax refund from 1997.
To get to the money, individuals must file a claim with the treasurer's office at City Hall and bring proof of identification, including a Social Security card and driver's license. Information about the claims process, along with the list of the abandoned-check holders, is on the city's website at www.scstest.com/quincy/.
There is no immediate deadline, but city officials are estimating that it could take up to two months to process the claims because of the high volume. Since Quincy posted the list of payees several weeks ago, about 200 individuals have come forward to claim their money.
One -- Sean Curry, owner of Curry Hardware on Copeland Street -- said a customer informed him that the store was listed on the city's website as having an abandoned check.
''I have no idea how much it is for or when it is from," Curry said. ''I'm just hoping it's for $10,000 or $15,000, but I bet it's probably $30."
Massachusetts state law requires municipalities to annually settle abandoned checks, but many cities and towns fall behind. In Quincy's case, some of them date back more than a decade.
An auditing firm recently suggested that Quincy begin complying with the law to reconcile the city's accounts, according to Chiccino.
The city already had earmarked the funds. 