FRYEBURG — Oxford County West Registry, located at 38 Portland Street in Fryeburg, is closing in 13 days.

After months of work by the Oxford County Registry Team and careful analysis of the Legislative Document, Oxford County Commissioners unanimously approved a closure date of Aug. 28, 2019.

This will be the final day of business in the West office.

At the close of business on Aug. 28, at 4 p.m., there will no longer be recording or office hours held at the West Registry. Paper and e-recording for the Western District will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 3, in the South Paris office as one Oxford County Registry of Deeds.

The County Commissioners and Administrator are confident in the actions that have been taken by the Registry’s Data Company, IQS, for a successful two-business day merge of the East and West systems on Thursday, Aug. 29 and Friday, Aug. 30.

The merge of the two district offices was decided by the Maine State Legislature in 2018 when they approved and signed LD 1679. This enacted that one register be elected to office for Oxford County, a first in the history of the state. Aroostook County is now researching to do the same, as they are the only other county with two offices.

“While we know this is a historic change for the entire county, we understand it has the most impact on the nine towns of the Western District. We appreciate the cooperation extended during the first half of this year in planning this merge and look forward to working closely in everyday business,” county officials said.

The Western District includes Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, Hiram, Lovell, Porter, Stoneham, Stow and Sweden.

Gail Ridlon, a 14-year veteran clerk and one-year Acting Register of the Western District after Jean Watson retired, will be moving to the South Paris office and working with the team to continue to preserve the rich history of the entire county.

“Gail provides us with experience and great knowledge of the western towns and we’re looking forward to continue learning from her,” said Cherri Crockett, Register of Deeds for Oxford County. “I am looking forward to working with our team of four in one office, so we can stop dividing our time and use it to come together and work toward preserving the history that we’ve been entrusted with.”

For more information, contact Oxford County Register of Deeds, Cherri Crockett, at (207) 743-6211.