New stamps for authenticating death certificates for the Salem City Health District arrived Friday, after a nearly two-week hiatus since former Vital Statistics Registrar Terry Hunter retired on April 1. can now resume certification of death certificates. Pictured is Health Commissioner Kayla Crowle with her stamp. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
SALEM – The Salem City Health District has resumed certifying death certificates.
“People can come see us right away during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. We're up and running and ready to help them again.” said Health Commissioner Kayla Crowle.
The city announced April 2, following the retirement of former Vital Statistics Registrar Terry Hunter on April 1 and the arrival of the required new stamps for interim Vital Statistics Registrar Rachel Bowens. The death certificate could not be authenticated for 16 days from April 18th. We will validate the certificate on Friday.
Hunter left the department after a request to reduce his work hours from three days a week to one was rejected by the Board of Health at a special meeting March 1. At the time, Mr. Dickey was chairing the committee because of his position as mayor. Hunter's resignation was conditional on a requested reduction in hours, but the board determined it was not sufficient to meet the department's needs.
“The submitted resignation was conditional on changing the working hours to one day a week, which the board did not believe would happen.” [the department’s] needs,” Dickie said.
In preparation for Mr. Hunter's resignation, the board appointed Mr. Bowens, who had been deputy registrar of vital statistics and outreach coordinator, as interim registrar of vital statistics until a new permanent registrar can be found at a special meeting on March 28. was appointed. But Dickey said Monday that while the appointment is official and confirmed by the state, the city still needs to order new stamps from Bowens, which he won't be able to order until after his appointment. explained. Dickey worked with suppliers to speed up the arrival of the stamps, but ultimately the department was forced to wait.
Kroll said Bowens has been using the stamps since they arrived Friday afternoon and has contacted individuals who were unable to get their certificates authenticated while the stamps were in transit to notify them of their arrival.
“Some people have come back and already got their documents certified.” Kroll said.
Kroll also said Bowens will be there until 5 p.m. Friday, an hour after the department's normal closing time, to certify as many certifiers as possible.
