Ok, got it. So you have a personal opinion on easements that's unsupported by any laws, and this is why you think the current disagreement should be resolved in this woman's favor.

I think we'll just disagree on this. I do think she's wrong here, and it's pretty plain and simple. She bought property with these inherited easements and rights of way. Now she's using her wealth to put pressure on a small local government to give her something that she's not entitled to.

Public easements for footpaths are common in MA, and there's no criteria that it needs to be for critical infrastructure. So I still don't think the government (taxpayers) should start buying up these properties. I'm also not convinced it would save tax dollars to move this money from legal fees to property purchases.

But why should they buy it when they already have easements and established rights of way? Seems like that would amount to the taxpayers giving her a windfall, for no added benefit to the taxpayers.

You're right. It's not on Mansfield, it's right next to it.

I think it’s meant to be Smugglers Notch (Mt Mansfield), with Morse in the foreground and Madonna in the back.

I think I'm going to make the switch. If I understand correctly, there's a $150 fee for canceling the 3-year Constellation contract early. My electricity usage is pretty high (EV car), so I'll save several hundred over the next 6 months before Nat Grid adjusts their rates again. That $150 fee would be easily worth it if I choose to switch again at some point later.

Thanks! My city does have a plan for this, but it’s been in the state review stage for a year (according to the city website). I’d love to use this but I’m just not sure how long it will be before it’s available.

Just circling back with some more information for anyone who may encounter this problem. I finally got through on the phone line this afternoon. In fact, I had to wait on hold for over 30 minutes two separate times because the first time I was disconnected trying to be transferred to the Integrity Team at the DUA.

I was told that the system sending out these "overpayment" letters does not take into account whether the person has a fraud report on file (identify theft). The second agent I spoke to said that she's getting tons of calls from people like me. She gave me the Integrity Team phone number and advised me to contact them. She said that they've been cleaning this up for many people. They did not answer this afternoon, but I'll keep trying tomorrow.

Separately I also mailed an appeal letter to DUA (certified mail), and attached my 2020 fraud report (receipt) and copies of the letters, and explained the situation. I'm feeling optimistic that at least one of these channels will work!

Thanks for this advice, and I'll be sure to make this clear in the letter. So you think my use of the term "fraudulent" implies that I'm the one who committed the fraud? Even when in the very next sentence I describe how I reported it to the state and how I never applied for or received unemployment assistance?

Thanks! By "fraudulent" what I meant was: Someone filed for unemployment benefits on my behalf, and they apparently received payments. I can't even create a DUA account because someone has already done so with my SSN, and all of the password reset options go through this person's email/mobile numbers. The DUA phone number always states that it's so busy they cannot take calls (they don't even allow you to hold or wait for an agent).

I think you're right that at this point all I can do is send a certified letter that explains the situation with a copy of their letter and a copy of the proof that this is fraud. The only proof that I have is a fraud report that I made in 2020, which produced an email confirmation. I'm not sure how else I can prove that I did not request or receive unemployment benefits.

Unfortunately, someone already has an account with my SSN (presumably the person who fraudulently submitted for benefits back in 2020). I can't change the password because all of the contact methods for password reset are theirs (email addresses and mobile/text numbers). I'll keep calling the number.

I like this, and will give it a shot to see if I can actually create the account and see the letters/forms. It would be great to submit the appeal online and have the ability to track it. Thank you so much!

This is super helpful, thank you. I can see that there's an appeal process, and it sounds like I only have a few days to do this. I'm contemplating sending an overnight letter to them. All of the online forms require me to go through my DUA/PUA "account", but I don't have any account like this because I've never requested unemployment assistance (someone else did on my behalf).

I'm just worried that my letter will go into some government black hole and I won't find out about it until my tax refund is intercepted.

Thanks. But I did not receive any money.

Great idea. Thank you!!