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frisbeegopher t1_j45rpec wrote

The records that COTTS provides online ARE the clerks records. Towns contract with them to provide this service. Typically cotts will send a team in to scan the records and create a database which they then put on their portal. Clerks can then add in new records as they are submitted. It costs too much for smaller towns (15,000-20,000 for startup and an operating fee of around 1,000 a month last I knew). Many towns use NEMRC to provide this service instead because it’s more affordable, but NEMRC doesn’t offer scanning service so that leads to older records not being available in digital form because the clerks don’t have time to deal with it.

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thisoneisnotasbad t1_j45sgeb wrote

That’s exactly my point. There is nothing the company offers that is not free at the town clerks office.

The state did offer some grant funds to scan in NEMRC a while ago I think but it is still not complete.

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frisbeegopher t1_j462c80 wrote

The company offers scanning services, database development and web hosting that allow the records to be accessed via and online portal. Town clerks are not able to offer that on their own. There is absolutely value in being able to access records online versus having to drive to whatever town and spend time in the vault doing research. Town clerks charge an hourly rate for vault access in addition to charging copy fees. Particularly during the pandemic when many clerk offices were closed, online services became even more valuable. In my opinion, the state should work towards a statewide database / online record portal. It would overall be less expensive for residents than towns trying to individually make it happen through contracting with a variety of companies.

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thisoneisnotasbad t1_j48aswq wrote

They do not charge an access fee. That is incorrect. They charge or decline if you ask them to do your research, as they should.

  • the state is working toward a free portal.

*I was mistaken, town clerks have the ability to charge. I apologize for providing incorrect information. My experience was empirical having never been charged in. The town where I have conducted business for in person access to records.

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frisbeegopher t1_j48yy8f wrote

A town clerk may charge up to $4.00 per hour for any person to examine the records. The fee is higher if the clerk agrees to examine the record for you. So yes, some clerks may offer you time to examine the record free of charge, but they can (and many do) charge for access. https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/32/017/01671

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thisoneisnotasbad t1_j4b2nk6 wrote

I was not aware of that statute and updated my post, thank you.

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MultiGeometry t1_j4bamwp wrote

Yet in your other comment threads you’re still arguing I’m entitled.

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thisoneisnotasbad t1_j4bdgge wrote

If you think it is the town clerks job to pull land records for you, you are entitled. That should clear up any issues you have with what is being said.

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MultiGeometry t1_j49nne4 wrote

I’m going to believe the other responder because they provided proof via state law that town clerks can charge fees…

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