GRAFTON COUNTY REGISTRY OF DEEDS
Kelley J. Monahan Registrar
Annual Report FY 13
I am honored to have received the confidence and trust of the citizens of Grafton County as I enter my second term as Grafton County Register of Deeds. I am very grateful to have the ability to see the initiatives that I have begun through to completion.
Our original software partner Connor & Connor of Exeter, NH was purchased by Fidlar Technologies of Davenport, Iowa. The transition of ownership has brought with it innovation and the latest in protection. Fidlar Technologies is the only land records software vendor in the country who confirms in contractual language that the data base is the sole possession of the county.
On August 1, 2012 this office went live utilizing our new system of recording with AVID. This move brought changes and challenges to Fidlar and this office. Programming specifically for New Hampshire was necessary with our LCHIP stamp and other NH specific recording requirements. Throughout the process, Fidlar's customer support and creative thinking was exemplary. In my opinion our partnership with Fidlar Technologies exemplifies the best in a public/private partnership. The Grafton County Registry of Deeds staff was incredible in embracing these challenges and patiently dealing with the public and professionals as the changes took effect.
It was six years ago this August, that the Grafton County Registry of Deeds allowed its data base of records to become available via the internet. This provided a great convenience for our professional users and some members of the public, saving time and money by reducing the commute to the Registry. The original method of searching the records via the internet was a one size fits all model and that is not the reality. There are many different needs to be met and going forward we will be offering a new structure based on three tiers of access.
August 1, 2013 will begin our new pricing structure and tiered access. The annual subscription for the full search access will increase from $50.00 per year to $120.00 per year.
Direct Search – A free, very basic search engine, that when a party name is entered will provide:
1. Date and time of recording
2. Document name (book-page)
3. Document type
4. Number of pages & recording fees
There will not be access to the actual image of the document at this level.
Tapestry - The occasional user will find a unique pay-as-you-go method in which you pay with your credit card on this secure internet site. Fidlar processes the credit card and provides the customer support. There is no special software download necessary, Internet Explorer as your web browser and Adobe Reader are the only support requirements. This option is best utilized if you know the book and page of the document that you need to view or print. If you are unsure, looking in Direct Search first, would allow you to narrow your inquiry to then search in the field of 200 that Tapestry provides for the first charge of $5.95. With Tapestry you will have the ability to both view the document and print.
Laredo – This search engine will eventually replace the Connor & Connor search engine. Here we will be leaving the JAVA based Connor system and migrating to a search engine that relies on Internet Explorer and Adobe Reader. There are many features available that will provide greater efficiencies to the professional. Laredo is also set up to be configured to the user’s specific needs. In consideration to the professional user, I will run the old and new systems parallel for at least six months to allow time to make the adjustment. We are providing a multitude of training opportunities.
Serving the PEOPLE of the County
A very important point to consider is that this office is fully functional without the internet access. Many of our taxpayers are perfectly satisfied to either mail in their copy requests or make the request in person. We have a seasoned staff that is very attentive and helpful to our citizens who prefer to do their business the “old fashioned way.” We also have a public viewing room with seven computer stations for those who chose to conduct their research here.
I am moving forward with a new initiative that in initial discussions has been very well received. I am working to include the public libraries of Grafton County with the municipal governments as a location to offer all tiers of access, including Laredo. This satisfies the need for security and allows our taxpaying public full internet access.
Revenue
Projecting for FY14 this office produced the lowest budget in six years. FY12 finished with a revenue total of $912,000.00. FY 13 surpassed our projected revenue goal of $950,000.00 by$39,818.96 for a total of $989,818.96
Many counties do not have control of their data base. We have over 3 million images of documents and over 23,000 images of subdivision plans. The revenue produced by this data base will benefit the taxpayer of Grafton County for many, many years to come.
The cost of the software line is coming down, a new revenue stream has been added, security is cutting edge, we are partners with top innovators and we are on very solid footing for the future. This office represents a foundation of our economy and we are fully prepared for our economy in Grafton County to thrive.
Making a Difference
In May, I was asked to participate on a panel that addressed over 200 Registers and staff in direct rebuttal to the Senior Vice President of MERS, Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems. In my opinion, this entity was an equal partner responsible for our current economic devastation.
We have accomplished a great deal in FY13. There are still challenges ahead. We, as a team, welcome the work that protects and provides access to the vital records that are entrusted to our care.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelley J. Monahan
Kelley J. Monahan Registrar
Annual Report FY 13
I am honored to have received the confidence and trust of the citizens of Grafton County as I enter my second term as Grafton County Register of Deeds. I am very grateful to have the ability to see the initiatives that I have begun through to completion.
Our original software partner Connor & Connor of Exeter, NH was purchased by Fidlar Technologies of Davenport, Iowa. The transition of ownership has brought with it innovation and the latest in protection. Fidlar Technologies is the only land records software vendor in the country who confirms in contractual language that the data base is the sole possession of the county.
On August 1, 2012 this office went live utilizing our new system of recording with AVID. This move brought changes and challenges to Fidlar and this office. Programming specifically for New Hampshire was necessary with our LCHIP stamp and other NH specific recording requirements. Throughout the process, Fidlar's customer support and creative thinking was exemplary. In my opinion our partnership with Fidlar Technologies exemplifies the best in a public/private partnership. The Grafton County Registry of Deeds staff was incredible in embracing these challenges and patiently dealing with the public and professionals as the changes took effect.
It was six years ago this August, that the Grafton County Registry of Deeds allowed its data base of records to become available via the internet. This provided a great convenience for our professional users and some members of the public, saving time and money by reducing the commute to the Registry. The original method of searching the records via the internet was a one size fits all model and that is not the reality. There are many different needs to be met and going forward we will be offering a new structure based on three tiers of access.
August 1, 2013 will begin our new pricing structure and tiered access. The annual subscription for the full search access will increase from $50.00 per year to $120.00 per year.
Direct Search – A free, very basic search engine, that when a party name is entered will provide:
1. Date and time of recording
2. Document name (book-page)
3. Document type
4. Number of pages & recording fees
There will not be access to the actual image of the document at this level.
Tapestry - The occasional user will find a unique pay-as-you-go method in which you pay with your credit card on this secure internet site. Fidlar processes the credit card and provides the customer support. There is no special software download necessary, Internet Explorer as your web browser and Adobe Reader are the only support requirements. This option is best utilized if you know the book and page of the document that you need to view or print. If you are unsure, looking in Direct Search first, would allow you to narrow your inquiry to then search in the field of 200 that Tapestry provides for the first charge of $5.95. With Tapestry you will have the ability to both view the document and print.
Laredo – This search engine will eventually replace the Connor & Connor search engine. Here we will be leaving the JAVA based Connor system and migrating to a search engine that relies on Internet Explorer and Adobe Reader. There are many features available that will provide greater efficiencies to the professional. Laredo is also set up to be configured to the user’s specific needs. In consideration to the professional user, I will run the old and new systems parallel for at least six months to allow time to make the adjustment. We are providing a multitude of training opportunities.
Serving the PEOPLE of the County
A very important point to consider is that this office is fully functional without the internet access. Many of our taxpayers are perfectly satisfied to either mail in their copy requests or make the request in person. We have a seasoned staff that is very attentive and helpful to our citizens who prefer to do their business the “old fashioned way.” We also have a public viewing room with seven computer stations for those who chose to conduct their research here.
I am moving forward with a new initiative that in initial discussions has been very well received. I am working to include the public libraries of Grafton County with the municipal governments as a location to offer all tiers of access, including Laredo. This satisfies the need for security and allows our taxpaying public full internet access.
Revenue
Projecting for FY14 this office produced the lowest budget in six years. FY12 finished with a revenue total of $912,000.00. FY 13 surpassed our projected revenue goal of $950,000.00 by$39,818.96 for a total of $989,818.96
Many counties do not have control of their data base. We have over 3 million images of documents and over 23,000 images of subdivision plans. The revenue produced by this data base will benefit the taxpayer of Grafton County for many, many years to come.
The cost of the software line is coming down, a new revenue stream has been added, security is cutting edge, we are partners with top innovators and we are on very solid footing for the future. This office represents a foundation of our economy and we are fully prepared for our economy in Grafton County to thrive.
Making a Difference
In May, I was asked to participate on a panel that addressed over 200 Registers and staff in direct rebuttal to the Senior Vice President of MERS, Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems. In my opinion, this entity was an equal partner responsible for our current economic devastation.
We have accomplished a great deal in FY13. There are still challenges ahead. We, as a team, welcome the work that protects and provides access to the vital records that are entrusted to our care.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelley J. Monahan
