Last modified: Thursday, July 9, 2009 2:47 AM EDT The Registry of Motor Vehicles office on Kelley Boulevard in North Attleboro. North RMV landlord feels kicked to the curb BY JIM HAND SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTH ATTLEBORO - George Carney said he has put about $400,000 in renovations into his Kelley Boulevard office building in recent months, only to learn the Registry of Motor Vehicles is terminating its lease and moving out. "We're between a rock and hard place," Carney said, explaining he has to complete the renovations even though they were designed with the registry in mind. Carney said he entered into a 10-year lease with the registry several months ago with the understanding he would do renovations. The registry can get out of the lease now because it is subject to appropriation and the Legislature cut funding, he said. Carney said not only is he losing his tenant and rental money, but area businesses might suffer because they benefit from registry customers. "The registry is a magnet," he said. The renovations include new windows, a heating system, air conditioning, a new electrical system and special $70,000 counters for registry business. A registry spokeswoman said no taxpayer funds were used for the renovations. Carney, the owner of Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park, said he does not blame Registry of Motor Vehicles chief Rachel Kaprielian for the closure because it was forced upon her by the budget. But state Rep. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro, and Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, said the Taunton registry office was a more logical candidate for closure, but was spared at the expense of North Attleboro. Brown even wondered if political pressure was involved in saving the Taunton office. Poirier and Brown said the North Attleboro office is bigger and busier than the Taunton office. They said they will soon meet with Kaprielian to discuss the situation. North Attleboro is one of 11 offices being closed to save $1.7 million in rent.