FY 2010

"This is a striking amount of money these fees are generating for these clerks," said Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. "They are paid well. This should be part of their responsibilities."

"It's a bit of good news,'' said Michael J. Widmer, president of the business-funded Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, who follows the budget closely. "It doesn't change the fact that we've got two more difficult fiscal years ahead, but additional revenue is certainly good news.''

Mike Widmer of the Massachusetts Tax Payers Association says he never knew about it. "I was surprised, I usually know about these things. I was taken back that there was $7,200 in compensation that was out of the public lime light."