A couple tried to donate $60K to the village of Cary. The gift caused such a fuss that the money was returned.

It was presented as a generous act of local philanthropy: A Cary couple wanted to donate $60,000 to the village to help replace its entryway signs.

But the donors did not want their identities revealed publicly. And that caveat caused such a flap on the Village Board that the money was ultimately...