LEYDEN — The Selectboard approved changes to multiple town clerk fees for the first time in 20 years on Monday, having previously based the rates off an “official” handwritten note on the back of an old calendar page.
According to Town Clerk Nicole Glabach, the fees haven’t changed since approximately Oct. 15, 1999, the date on the “page-a-day” calendar upon which the original rates were jotted down. Glabach said she wanted to minimally raise the fees to create more income for Leyden.
“We’re a little town,” said Glabach, who has served as town clerk since 2017. “We have few sources of income besides taxes and other fees.”
The town clerk is elected for three years and is primarily in charge of recording votes, issuing licenses and permits, collecting vital statistics, and serving as recording officer and custodian of valuable municipal records. The fees are what is charged when the clerk issues birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, and burial permits. The town clerk is also in charge of issuing dog licenses and business licenses for the town.
The adjusted fees reflect the rates of neighboring towns. The new fees include $10 for a birth or death certificate (previously $5), $25 for a burial permit (previously $10), $25 for a marriage certificate (no change) and $20 for a business certification (no change).
“Fee prices will remain the same even when having multiple copies made,” Glabach explained. “It pays for the town clerk’s time, and each document is signed and stamped with the town seal.”
During a Selectboard meeting early last month, Glabach presented the original “document” to the Selectboard, asking for approval to update the fees. The Selectboard requested she research the fees in neighboring towns, and submit updated fees as a proposal during a later meeting. The board unanimously approved Glabach’s suggestions on Monday.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 264.