Last modified: Saturday, July 4, 2009 3:03 PM EDT The Registry of Motor Vehicles office in North Attleboro is slated to close due to state budget cuts. North Attleboro registry branch slated for closure BY AMY DeMELIA SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTH ATTLEBORO - The North Attleboro branch of the Registry of Motor Vehicles will close as part of a restructuring plan created to deal with the statewide budget crunch. According to a release from the registry, the plan went into effect July 1, but the registry was still open on Friday. North Attleboro's registry office and 10 others across the state will be closing as part of the restructuring plan announced by Registrar Rachel Kaprielian on Friday. Staff and equipment in those offices will be redeployed what the registry is calling five new "mitigation" offices located in MassHighway and Massachusetts Turnpike Authority toll plazas, visitor centers and offices. The registry estimates that 21 percent of its customers will be impacted by the changes. State Rep. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro, was outraged by the decision to close the North Attleboro branch. "It's absolutely insane,"she said. "They are closing the registry in a place like North Attleboro, where there is no public transportation, to Brockton or Taunton, which are the closest places with registry branches." People patronizing the North Attleboro registry branch on Friday were not pleased with the news. While waiting outside the Registry with her daughter, who was taking her license road test, Deb Bevilacqua of Norfolk questioned why the branch would be closing - especially since work is still ongoing to upgrade the building. "It would be very inconvenient if it closes," she said. "It's not fair to us if they close it." Kathleen Fitzgerald of Norwood was surprised to hear that the North Attleboro branch would be closing. When a friend joked that her road test would have to be in Brockton, Fitzgerald said she would be afraid to drive there. "It would be very inconvenient for people in this area if it closes," she said. While Poirier acknowledged that some transactions can be completed online, she said some residents do not have credit cards or would prefer to visit the registry in person. She said she recently had to register a car, and it took about an hour and a half of waiting before she was called up to the counter. "What is going to happen when all of those people are funneled to the registries in Brockton or Taunton?" Poirier said. "Is the wait going to end up being three hours long?" Another registry patron shared that concern as well. "If they keep consolidating, the lines are going to get even longer," said Greg Yunka of Norton upon hearing that the North Attleboro branch would close. Many of the remaining 23 registry branches will also be modified to expand services in anticipation of heavier customer traffic, Kaprielian said. In an effort to keep wait times reasonable, the registry plans to introduce a series of measures to drive customers out of branch lines and into online services through the agency's upgraded Web site. Those measures include setting up self-service online kiosks at busier branches in September and a partnership with community libraries to offer ways to help patrons navigate online transactions. "Last year, we took 1.5 million people out of our 'brick and mortar' branches and served them on the Internet, an increase of 23 percent in cyber traffic," said Kaprielian. "Still, a large portion of our customers can't or won't make the jump to cyberspace for a variety of reasons. But I envision the Registry of Motor Vehicles of the not too distant future will be able to deliver all routine licensing, registration and titling online." Kaprielian said the shift from leasing high-cost private office space to using rent-free government turnpike and highway buildings will save the registry an estimated $1.7 million dollars a year and minimize the impact on staffing. Going forward, as leases expire at traditional branches, the registry plans to explore using other government buildings that offer minimal overhead costs. Poirier blamed Gov. Deval Patrick's administration for the registry's closure, saying that the administration has raised taxes, and is making it more difficult for residents to use services as well. "I think if there were ever going to be a public outcry, it should be about this," she said. "People should be screaming from the rooftops that this is insane." Poirier said that Kaprielian will meet with a legislative delegation to discuss the issue, but not until July 14. Poirier added she has not been pleased with the talks that have already taken place on the issue. "I was told that if I could find a free space, they would consider opening an express registry in town," she said. "They have no problem assessing fees for people who are pulled over because they forgot to have their license renewed - and they don't notify you that it's expiring anymore - but they want a donated space for an express registry? I'm so outraged, I can't even begin to tell you." In addition to North Attleboro, branches closing are located in Lowell, Cambridgeside Galleria, New Bedford, Springfield, Southbridge, Framingham, Falmouth, Eastham, Beverly and Chinatown in Boston. New branches opening will be located in the Charlton Turnpike Center, Natick Service Plaza, Canal Visitor Center, Peabody and Boston. AMY DeMELIA can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.