January 18, 2022

Dear Friends of the Norfolk Registry of Deeds and Registry Users,

Many of you have asked for an update on the efforts to keep the on-site Registry Chief Information Officer (CIO) that has been funded and in existence at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds for over 20 years.  The Norfolk Registry of Deeds also needs to keep the on-site direct-report IT technology staff that makes up the Registry IT Technology Department which has been in place for well over 35 years.

The three Norfolk County Commissioners held a hearing on December 8, 2021 on recommendations if implemented that will negatively impact the functioning of an independent and modern Registry of Deeds as a result of not keeping as is an on-site Registry CIO and on-site Registry IT Technology Department.  Attached is a document that was submitted to the Norfolk County Commissioners that you can review if you so choose click document here. This document advocates why the Registry IT Technology Department is needed and should be kept in this era of technology, cybersecurity and ransomware.  Also here is the link to the Norfolk County Commissioners Meeting of December 8, 2021: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnAgt-0WTFo

The words and reasons written by so many of you in letters and emails articulating why the Norfolk Registry of Deeds should keep its on-site direct report Registry IT Technology Department are so compelling.  I wish I could now report that the advocated position of keeping the Registry CIO and keeping the on-site Registry IT Technology Department has finally won and prevailed. I can not.  This critical issue is now being put into the Norfolk County Budget process as stated by the Norfolk County Commissioners.

Thank you so much for your support which must continue in order to make sure this unsound public policy decision is NOT implemented during this budget process.

I wish you and yours a happy and healthy new year in 2022.

Sincerely yours,

William P. O’Donnell

Register of Deeds