This was in Northampton Massachusetts about 25 years ago. I did go to UMass’s legal help clinic who told me basically “Yes, that’s how it works, it’s awful, but unless you want to spend the next few years of your life and every penny you have fighting this, just accept it and move on.”

Sometimes just paying it and moving on is in fact the simplest solution. Fighting it in the courts would have taken time and effort, and unless you could find a good pro bono lawyer, money. Fighting it in the court of public opinion is another option. Visiting you elected representatives offices for a chat about it takes a limited amount of time, but can have a big impact. Please don't misunderstand me, I am blaming you for anything or judging your decisions, I am merely offering suggestions to you and anyone else about ways to make things better :)