Macquarrie v. Balch

Despite the small amount involved in this case, I feel that the question of the proper construction of G.L. c. 118, § 10 is of sufficient importance to warrant expressing my views thereon. I am prompted to do so by reason of the fact that several other statutory programs for the relief of needy persons contain language substantially identical with that of § 10 (see, e.g., G.L. c. 115, § 5; G.L. c. 118A, § 6; G.L. c. 118D, § 13), and because I believe that the construction adopted by the majority here would destroy the protection with which the Legislature sought to shield public funds…