Chester forgives extra fees on overdue trash bills

Chester officials have agreed to forgive penalties and interest fees on overdue trash bills, but residents still will have to pay what they originally owed.

The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to forgive the extra charges on trash fees that some residents said they thought they had paid. Those who paid the interest and penalties may ask for a refund.

Residents began receiving notices in May about unpaid trash fees, which cost $120 annually. Some bills were more than a decade old; a computer glitch had prevented the city from informing residents that they still owed the fees, city officials said. - Joelle Farrell