The "reception" office sent us down to see Ms. Broome after we filed my wife's application on May 5th, but she did not answer her phone. I called later and left her a VM.
She replied promptly and helpfully... one of the first things she said was "At least you didn't come down here in person!" I admitted that we had been down there, as instructed by the office upstairs. She explained that in-person visits actually make it harder to get the work done, and that she is now the only person (down from 3) in the Prothonotary's office handling new permits & renewals, and that there are more of both this year than ever.
It sounds like a thankless job. Maybe we should send her a pizza or something, anonymously of course, if when we get our permits.