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VOTE411 Voter Guide

2024 Register of Deeds Middlesex Northern District

Massachusetts is divided into 21 registry districts, each with an elected Register of Deeds who serves for a six-year term. Each registry records all documents about real estate ownership within its district. The register of deeds helps facilitate the process of transferring registered land property ownership.

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    Karen M. Cassella
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Sokhary Chan Chau
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Joseph D. Ready
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

What are the principal challenges facing the Register of Deeds?

What are your priorities, if elected?

How would you ensure that records are accessible to people for whom English is not their primary language and to people without reliable access to the internet?

What changes, if any, would you make at the Registry of Deeds?

What do you most want the voters to know about you as a candidate?

Campaign Phone 978-761-7658
Campaign/Contact Email electkarencassella@yahoo.com
The principal challenges are Resource Constraints as we have budget limitations and staffing shortages in the office which can impact the efficiency and quality of services provided. Customer service will be another challenge due to training employees which can take time to ensure efficient and accurate service to the public, real estate professionals, attorneys and government offices. I will improve recording requirements to strengthen accuracy of records, including fraudulent documents, and simple errors that can be avoided for our residents and attorneys.
My priorities will be to meet with all Registers of Deeds and discuss how we can together protect our residents property and implement a process if needed to safeguard their homes. I will improve public service in the office and will work with other government agencies to improve overall efficiency and service delivery for our community. I want to create a friendly environment for everyone who uses the office and I want to educate them about the services provided by the Register of Deeds and make sure their questions and needs are answered.
Currently if a customer cannot speak English they need to provide their own translator. I would be open to working with the State to provide our office with a language support service such as interpretation and translation both in person at the office and through video conferencing. The Registry is located in the Kiernan Judicial Center and the court currently has translators in the building. This could be a way for us to collaborate together to use these resources and utilize this service. I would look into community outreach to partner with community organizations to provide us translated materials and language support services. This service would need to be based on the Registry's operations budget.
My changes will be to improve the quality of our internet website, improving public access and making changes inside the office to provide a friendly and efficient work place for everyone. I will work with local government agencies and start a Mobile Registry to local town offices monthly. I will offer a Lawyer of the Day program for all residents in the community for free legal advice on their property questions and estate planning. I will reopen the Middlesex South Satellite Office and provide Monthly seminars with other housing agencies in the community.
I have been working in the office since 1992. I have over 3 decades of experience. I have knowledge of the inner workings of the office and know what changes are needed. I have over 15 years in customer service and know how to communicate with the public. I would be the first women if elected. This position cannot change or agree with any government policy. This job is making sure your property is protected and that all documents are recorded according to Mass General Laws. One mistake can cost the homeowner dearly. It could prevent them from being able to sell their property or refinance it. This job is more than a political position. For most people the home is their largest asset. VOTE EXPERIENCE IT MATTERS!
The Registry of Deeds has been level-funded for years, despite the emergence of challenges like pervasive online fraud. I believe that I’m uniquely suited to solve this problem and will utilize the strong relationships I have built with leaders across the district to increase funding for the Registry and expand services for residents.
If I am fortunate enough to be elected, I have several key priorities that will guide me as Register. These include securing additional funding and expanding services, protecting home ownership and resident’s private information, ensuring outstanding constituent services, and increasing accessibility and transparency at the Registry. I believe that my experience in the public and private sector position me to accomplish these goals and improve residents’ lives.
As someone whose first language was not English, I understand the barriers that non-English speakers face. As Register, I will ensure that all the Registry’s resources are printed in any and all languages commonly used in the district. To ensure access for those without reliable internet, I will conduct office hours across the district, where either myself or a member of the Registry’s staff will meet constituents in the communities they live in to provide resources and information. I will also institute a “Constituent Services” line, where constituents can speak over the phone with a member of the Registry’s staff.
My goal is to build off the progress current Register Richard Howe has made during his tenure. Under my leadership, I will expand the use of cutting-edge technologies to continue to streamline the Registry’s services and make information more easily accessible to the public. I will also work with the Registry’s current staff on what changes we can make to improve operations and better serve residents. Additionally, I will leverage my strong relationships with state and federal lawmakers to ensure that the Registry receives the necessary funding to achieve these goals.
Since coming to Massachusetts in the early 1980’s, I’ve understood that homeownership is at the core of the American Dream. I want voters to know that as Register I will do everything in my power to make this dream possible for everyone. Throughout my public service career, I’ve made it a priority to work collaboratively with everyone I represent to move our communities forward. As Register, this will not change. My office will be highly accessible to the public and will always value constituents’ input on how we can improve. In summary, voters should know that as Register I will work with them so that everyone in our community can thrive.
Campaign Phone 9788846972
Campaign/Contact Email joe@votejoeready.com
The challenges are evolving fraud, cyber security threats, accessibility, digital equity, outdated websites and technology. I have a targeted plan to enhance fraud protection, improve language accessibility, and advance our registry technology and websites. By collaborating with software vendors through detailed RFPs, budgeting and a clear vision statement, we can achieve outstanding results. My experience at Harvard Law, where I helped develop a proprietary student data system, equips me to lead our next registry project. As a 'super user' for over a decade, I deeply understand the necessary improvements. Having served my community master plan I know how to interface with key stakeholders at all levels to achieve results.
My top priorities include enhancing consumer protection, improving language accessibility, embracing technological advancements, and advancing online and mobile functionality. I am also dedicated to preserving historical records and educating the community. On the visions page of my website, I outline specific challenges and the changes needed to improve the Registry. A key initiative will be the implementation of a robust consumer notification system to better protect property owners from fraud, alongside utilizing AI and OCR technology to enhance language accessibility. By focusing on these priorities, I am committed to building an accessible, responsive, and secure Registry.
My primary focus will be on accessibility for all. It's essential to upgrade our Registry system to enhance language accessibility across multiple languages and to develop a comprehensive digital accessibility plan that promotes inclusion. I plan to incorporate a language translator on our website.

Additionally, I will strive to make the registry more accessible for individuals with disabilities. Having witnessed my father's struggles with blindness, I understand the challenges faced by those with disabilities. My goal is to help marginalized groups by removing the barriers they encounter. Achieving this vision will require collaboration with software vendors, translation services, state departments, and nonprofits throughout the county.
As part of my accessibility roadmap, I will install public computers at the Registry for document access. I aim to establish a kiosk in the courthouse lobby, allowing people to drop off documents and receive customer service without going through security. I plan to partner with lawyers throughout Middlesex North for convenient e-recording drop-offs at their offices. I will implement live customer service interactions on our website and via video calls. To enhance service quality, I will provide cross-training on all registry functions. I will hire qualified staff and create a public feedback system to continuously improve the Registry. I will collaborate with municipalities to integrate Registry technology with GIS and assessor database.
My first internship at 16, where I recorded documents for attorneys, ignited my passion for the registry and motivated me to launch a startup focused on recording deeds for lawyers in Middlesex County. Over the past 25 years, I have developed the knowledge and skills essential for the role of Register of Deeds. I am uniquely qualified as the only candidate with extensive administrative management experience, proven leadership abilities, and a deep understanding of real estate law, supported by my credentials as a licensed broker and instructor. My vision for enhancing the Registry is driven by a genuine desire for change, and my diverse experience includes roles at Suffolk Law School's Registrar’s office, managing staff at Harvard Law.