York County Register of Deeds Nancy Hammond

ALFRED – A request for a salary increase by York County Register of Deeds Nancy Hammond for herself and Deputy Register Wendy Daniels, went nowhere Wednesday after a motion for the raises died in a tied vote of York County Commissioners.

Hammond officially took office in January, following the November election, though she stepped in earlier to assist the office due to the illness of both the then-register and deputy register. On Wednesday, she asked commissioners to raise her salary from $55,000 to $61,000; and to increase the salary of Daniels, her deputy, from $48,000 to $53,000. Daniels was hired on Jan. 2.

Commissioners Allen Sicard and Michael Cote were in favor of the increase.

Commissioner Richard Clark said Hammond is “doing a terrific job” but felt the increases would more appropriately be handled through the York County Budget Committee in the spring, and voted against the motion.

“I believe she’s doing a good job,” said Clark, but opined that 10 percent is a significant increase. “I don’t think this is the best way to go about it. I believe it should go to the budget committee. That’s how we do things.”

Commissioner Robert Andrews also dissented. “I agree the budget committee does need to look at it,” said Andrews.

Advertisement

Commission Chairman Richard Dutremble was absent.

Cote asked why Hammond hadn’t request a salary increase during the last budget process, which began in the spring.

Hammond said at that point, she hadn’t had a lot of time in office, but now, several months later, could point to significant improvements.

Sicard pointed out that the deeds registry brings in about $2.25 million annually and noted Hammond’s accomplishments since she’s been in office.

Hammond told commissioners she knew the salary going in – and soon learned there was more involved with the job than she had anticipated.

She said July of this year has been the busiest month, so far, for the York County Registry of Deeds.

Advertisement

“We came through with no backlog and with accounts up-to-date,” said Hammond. “There were no delays to the public we serve.”

She said clients are pleased that the registry is now accepting credit cards for online transactions, and as a result, she has begun to halt the practice of sending bills to clients.

“Everything will be paid on the day of service, so we’re tightening the reins,” she said.

Hammond also noted that York County has some of the earliest records in Maine, but had been behind in getting those online. She said she has been working with the online vendor to get that accomplished.

Cote asked about staff vacancies.

Hammond replied there are two, but it seems unlikely they will be filled.

Advertisement

“We got through July without failures of service, so I question the need of these positions,” she said, adding she doesn’t anticipate filling them.

She presented information that shows York is second only to Cumberland County when it comes to the number of  deed recordings and revenue. The Cumberland County Register of Deeds earns $83,500 annually; the registry there has a staff of seven, and had 71,382 recordings in the last year. York County’s Register currently earns $55,000, the registry has a staff of seven, had 54,900 recordings last year, and brought in $2.25 million, according to a survey provided by county officials.

One of Aroostook County’s two deeds registers earns $58,000, but has a much smaller staff and number of recordings.

The next lowest salary for the Register of Deeds after Hammond’s is in Waldo County, at $52,000. The lowest salary of all deeds registers in Maine’s 16 counties is in Franklin County, at $42,000.

York County Commissioners some years ago adopted a policy that set salaries of newly-elected officials. The policy noted that commissioners could adjust the salary, at their discretion, after review.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.

Comments are not available on this story.

filed under: