On many occasions, we’ve discussed the trend of cities and towns to use third-party debt collection agencies to track down overdue fines, tickets, and other bills. All too often, residents report that they’ve paid the fees or that they’re simply unable to do so. Yet, because municipal budgets are stretched to the breaking point, officials often feel as though they have little choice.

It’s refreshing, then, to see that the Colchester, Conn., fire department is thinking through the implications of turning overdue ambulance bills to debt collectors before actually doing so. Although the bills might total as much as $100,000, the Norwich Bulletin reports that the town’s Board of Finance is moving carefully. It quoted First Selectman Gregg Schuster as saying he had reservations: “We don’t know who these people are to begin with. Do they have insurance? Have they lost a job?”

It’s great to see that Schuster recognizes the humanity of those with overdue bills, and wants to avoid acting rashly and hurting the residents of Colchester.