"Today (7/15/24), I am announcing my intention to seek re-election to the office of Register of Deeds in Norfolk County, a position I have had the honor and privilege to hold since 2002. "I want to thank the residents of Norfolk County for their years of support. From day one, I understood that it's a job of great responsibility and accountability considering the Registry is the principal repository of more than 13 million real estate legal documents in Norfolk County. These land and property records include the deeds to county residents' homes, which in many cases are their greatest financial asset. The care and protection of those documents is a serious public trust.
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| O'Donnell |
"When I became Register, I wanted to create a gold standard of service that would take our 231-year-old Registry into the 21st Century. We accomplished this by implementing a state-of the-art computer system thereby making the Registry more accessible and convenient whether online or in-person. We created a customer service office so a person doesn't have to drive to the Registry to pick up a form or an official copy of their deed. We hold office hours in Norfolk County communities to answer questions or produce land documents for residents from our laptops. For the first time in Norfolk County's history we have implemented internet on-line land record research. Today, residents can easily view all of our documents online back to the establishment of Norfolk County in 1793 at www.norfolkdeeds.org from the comfort of their home computer.
"Under my leadership and with the help of an excellent staff, the Registry has made it easier to learn how to access vital information. We've done seminars for a wide range of people including first-time users, real estate professionals, city and town officials, and members of historical commissions and societies. The Registry recently created a genealogy resource center where people can research their family history.
"I have used my skills and training as an attorney to insure the legal title to peoples1 homes and business properties. I have also applied my skills as an attorney to protect Norfolk County citizens against the increase of scams and internet crime involving property records. My office has been at the forefront of consumer protection issues. Our office exposed deeds scamming, a practice whereby a marketer advises a homeowner to buy a copy of their deed and then sells it to them at an exorbitant price compared to the cost at the Registry. Additionally, Norfolk County was one of the first registries in the state to implement a free Consumer Notification System to warn citizens against title fraud, one of the fastest-growing white collar crimes in the United States according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.).
"I was proud to spearhead a law to allow for electronic filings of real estate documents in the Land Court and Norfolk County was the first Registry of Deeds in the state to implement the law.
"The COVID crisis proved a great challenge. Thanks to our employees, we initiated several major temporary work changes to address the pandemic. As a result, we never closed our office, not even for a day. And I am proud to say due to their successful efforts, the Registry employees were awarded the "Every Day Heroes Award" from the Papa Gino/D'Angelos corporation. They truly earned our gratitude and appreciation keeping the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds operational every work day during the COVID 19 Coronavirus pandemic.
"I have worked hard to be innovative in expanding citizen access to land records. The Registry, working with the Xerox Corporation, transcribed over 450,000 land documents recorded from 1900 back to 1793 from cursive into a clearly readable printed text format. The Norfolk Registry of Deeds was the first in New England to take on such a project. It was an honor to receive a letter from two-time Pulitzer Prize author and historian David McCullough who praised this "History Comes Alive" land records transcription project.
"Created in 1793, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is one of the oldest registries in the United States. We have worked in partnership with Quincy Access TV to produce award winning short documentaries spotlighting historical sites and landmarks throughout the country.
"The Registry has also published three Notable Land Record Books chronicling the various achievements of people in each of the 28 communities who resided and or owned property in Norfolk County. One of those Notable Land Record Books honored veterans of Norfolk County whose service and sacrifices give us our freedoms including the freedom to vote.
"As your Norfolk County Register of Deeds I have strived to manage a financially sound, efficient and innovative organization whose employees are committed to quality customer service.
"I am proud of the significant advances we have made at the Registry of Deeds to protect, manage and increase accessibility of our land and property records. It has been a privilege to be your Register of Deeds. I welcome the opportunity to continue my work as Register of Deeds. I hope I can count on Norfolk County citizens to give me their vote of confidence in the Democratic Primary on Tuesday, September 3rd. Everyone's support is welcomed and appreciated."
If you would like to know more about Register O'Donnell's work at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds or his campaign please visit his political website at www.billodonnell.org.
