In response to the editorial of Feb. 3, I offer another opinion.

The headline of the editorial was “Registry records are public, and must remain so.” With that, I can agree.

However, the deeds records become public because the county Registry of Deeds office makes them so.

The disagreement here is that deeds (copies of private real estate transactions) should not be covered in the Freedom of Access Act. Deed copies result from private transactions between two or more private individuals or corporations. The exception, as far as FOAA is concerned, should be a transaction involving a private individual and a public entity, such as town, county, etc., or a transaction between two public entities (resulting in a deed copy).

The Franklin County Registry of Deeds office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., five days a week (except holidays). Anyone and everyone is welcome to come in and view any record in the registry during those hours. We also provide for some online availability.

Franklin County employs three people on a full-time basis. The county pays salaries and benefits.

Our objection is to an entrepreneur, such as MacImage, requesting the county provide these images in the format they require and in bulk for a minimal fee (if any). We feel this would transfer a considerable cost to the property taxpayers of Franklin County.

Fred W. Hardy, Franklin County commissioner, New Sharon