Taxes and Fees
Lancaster joins other towns in opposing moving Registrar of Vital Statistic duties to the county
By Lee Chowaniec
Sep 20, 2008, 09:46

The Lancaster Town Board approved a resolution that appeals to its County and State Officials to oppose the proposed changes to the Public Health Law relating to the Registrars of Vital Statistics, a copy of which will be forwarded to NYS Governor David Paterson, Erie County Executive Christopher Collins, Erie County Legislature, Erie County Clerk and the Western New York delegation of the NYS Senate and Assembly.

The NYS Local Government Commission on Efficiency and Competitiveness recommended moving all Registrar of Vital Statistics to the County level under the direction of the NYS Health Commissioner.

Resolution

The NYS Department of Health has inappropriately attached this proposed change in the structure of the Registrar of Vital Statistics duties to changes in the “Pandemic Flu and Public Heath Preparedness Law.

The Town has been providing this service professionally, efficiently and in a timely manner over the years at a cost of $10 per copy vs. the $30 per copy county charge.

The Town adds that with the current high cost of fuel, the distance involved getting to County Hall and the added time involved in the process would put undue burden on residents.

Town Clerk addresses Registrar of Vital Statistics function

When asked by a resident to clarify the function of the Registrar of Vital Statistics at the recent Town Board meeting, Town Clerk Johanna Coleman explained it was to record town births and deaths and to provide copies of documents of each to interested parties for a $10 fee.

Coleman also pointed out that if the proposed legislation passed the copy fees would increase threefold to $30. If there were multiple certificate copies that would cost up to a $100 in town, that fee would now escalate to $300.

Coleman declared that she spoke with County Clerk Kathy Hochul last week and that she indicated that the county was not interested in accepting the transfer as they have not received any promise that staffing would be provided to accommodate for the transfer.

Residents in Monroe County, where the county provides such services relate that at the end of the day, and after spending up to 1-1/2 hours in line waiting to be served, are told that the office is shutting down and that they will have to return tomorrow.

Coleman declared that the sixteen villages, the twenty-five towns, three cities and several hospitals are able to provide vital statistic services at a lower cost, probably more efficiently and at greater customer convenience.

Coleman added that the transfer would translate to an annual loss of approximately $18,000 (2007 fee appropriation).




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