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Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell participated in two televised discussions addressing House Bill 3971 (HB3971), recent court rulings involving Norfolk County government, and the ongoing efforts of the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds to provide the “gold standard” of service that residents and businesses have come to expect, despite county-imposed hurdles.
HB3971 would establish a special legislative study to evaluate whether registries of deeds in county governments that have not been abolished should be placed under the oversight of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
In a seven‑minute segment on The Kevin Broderick Show https://www.norfolkdeeds.org/wp-content/uploads/Kevin-Broderick-Show-with-WPO-HB3971-clip.mp4 and a six‑minute conversation with host Mark Crosby on Quincy Access Television https://www.norfolkdeeds.org/wp-content/uploads/Good-Deeds-on-QATV-in-Review-HB3971-Clip.mp4, Register O’Donnell explained that HB3971 is a study bill, not a measure to immediately place registries under the oversight of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and why a fact‑finding review is warranted given persistent poor policy decisions by the Norfolk County Commissioners and unlawful interference in Registry operations documented in recent litigation. The Register also noted that 13 of the Commonwealth’s 21 registries already operate under state oversight, underscoring the value of assessing consistency and accountability across the system.
Register O’Donnell highlighted the Registry’s continued delivery of high‑quality public service despite budget constraints and staffing hurdles, while reiterating that courts, including the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the highest state court in Massachusetts have issued rulings finding unlawful interference with Registry operations by County Director John J. Cronin and the Norfolk County Commissioners.
The Kevin Broderick Show highlights
· HB3971 is simply a study bill, intended to examine whether the remaining county‑run registries should be placed under state oversight—13 registries already operate at the state level.
· Major legal conflicts with the Norfolk County Commissioners, including multiple lawsuits where courts found the county unlawfully interfering with Registry operations as well as unlawful use and taking of Registry statutorily designated funds.
· The Supreme Judicial Court, Appeals Court, and Superior Court all ruled in favor of the Registry, confirming county officials violated laws and in one case misappropriated funds.
· County finances raise concerns—commissioners receive nearly $15 million annually from assessments, deed excise, and fees, prompting questions about whether municipalities would benefit from restructuring or abolishing county government.
· Norfolk Registry is described as the “gold standard” in Massachusetts, delivering strong public service despite county obstruction, budget cuts, and legal disputes.
Good Deeds: In Review on Quincy Access Television highlights
· Registry staff continue delivering high‑quality service despite budget cuts, staff shortages, halted promotions, and county-imposed operational roadblocks.
· A major Supreme Judicial Court ruling, the highest court in Massachusetts, in February 2025 affirmed that county officials violated an unambiguous law and unduly interfered with Registry operations—upholding earlier Superior Court findings.
· Efforts by the Register to make necessary staffing appointments were unlawfully blocked, with courts affirming the Register’s legal appointment authority to fill funded positions.
· County officials have spent significant taxpayer money appealing cases they continue to lose. This is wasteful spending and prolonging the conflict.
· Norfolk is the second-busiest registry out of 21 Registries in Massachusetts.
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