Borough to install equipment after refusing penny payment
CHAMBERSBURG (AP) – A central Pennsylvania borough changed a policy that barred a disgruntled handyman from protesting a parking fee by paying with pennies.
Chambersburg officials earlier told Justin Greene of Shippensburg his payment of 2,500 pennies wasn’t allowed under a federal rule designating the copper coins as small change – not tender for debts greater than 25 cents.
But borough officials said in a statement Wednesday afternoon following “public uproar” over the matter that officials used an outdated federal rule in refusing the payment.
Borough manager Jeffrey Stonehill said coin-counting equipment will likely be installed in “the next few weeks” – although he’s discouraging anyone from using piles of coins to protest disputed debts.
Greene said he’s “pretty much over” the incident but still annoyed at the borough’s response.