From the Town Clerk

Hello All ~ I hope you are enjoying the beautiful Fall weather in Rehoboth!  Speaking of the Fall, I would like to remind all town residents that Town Offices will be closed on Monday, October 9^th for Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day.  Also, on Wednesday, November 1^st, quarterly real estate taxes are due.  Final reminder, as the Board of Selectmen voted on September 11^th, there will be a Rehoboth Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, November 7^th, which will be held at 7:00 PM at the Francis Farm-Museum Building; this date also appears on your 2023 Census calendar.  Voter check-in will begin at 6:00 PM.  Thank you.

November 7, 2023 ~ Special Town Meeting
As mentioned above, on Monday, September 11^th, the Board of Selectmen voted to hold a Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, beginning at 7:00 PM at the Francis Farm – Museum Building.  Voter check-in will begin at 6:00 PM.  The last day to register to vote for the upcoming Special Town Meeting will be Saturday, October 28, 2023 between the hours of 8:00AM to 5:00PM at the Rehoboth Town Hall – 340 Anawan Street (Route 118).  You may also register to vote anytime prior to the October 28, 2023 deadline by mailing in a voter registration application (copies can be found at the Town Hall, Rehoboth Post Office lobby, Blanding Library, Rehoboth COA/Senior Center or online @ https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Voter-reg-mail-in.pdf ).

You may also register to vote 24/7 by going to www.RegisterToVoteMA.com prior to the voter registration deadline of 10-28-2023 in order to participate in the Town of Rehoboth Special Town Meeting ~ thank you.

2023 Dog License Update
I am pleased we have registered 2,015 dogs so far this year; up 107 registrations from last month ~ thank you all!  Unfortunately, we still have 250 dogs that remain unlicensed (142 households).  After several reminders from our office to dog owners (January Census mailer; reminder letters in March prior to the annual rabies clinic and April 1^st license renewal deadline; postcard reminders in May; monthly reminders in the Rehoboth Reporter since January, a 60-day grace period, reminder phone calls from our Animal Control Officer in August, and final reminder letters sent to each dog owner on August 30^th), regrettably, for those dog owners who are still delinquent, on October 2, 2023 $25 non-criminal citations plus $8.53 certified mailing costs have been sent by our office and the Animal Control Officer.  As of 10-2-23 a $10 dog license renewal is now $58.53.  For those dog owners who have not renewed their dog’s 2023 license, please renew as soon as possible to avoid further action involving the Animal Control Officer.  The State authorizes all Animal Control Officers to fine delinquent dog owners $50/day until they renew their dog’s yearly licenses; please do not let that happen to you, pay today.  If you are over 70 years old, registration fees are waived; however, you still must keep your dog’s rabies vaccinations current and register your dog every year. 

Please renew your dog’s license now.  You may pay by mail, at Town Clerk’s Office, or online @ https://permiteyes.us/rehoboth/publichome.php . We also have the drop box outside of the Town Hall (340 Anawan Street-Route 118) for after-hours drop-offs.

If you no longer have your dog, please call 508-252-6502 Ext. 3109 or Ext. 3112 or you may email TownClerk@RehobothMA.gov to update our records.  Please license your dog as soon as possible to avoid further action involving the Animal Control Officer.  Yearly dog licensing ensures all dogs in Rehoboth have updated rabies vaccinations.  This process is in place to protect us all.

Marriage Intentions/Marriage Certificates
October is one of our busiest months for Marriage Intentions/Certificates in Rehoboth. Therefore, as a quick reminder of the process.  Both parties must come to Town Hall and complete a three-part packet (Marriage Intention, Marriage Supplement, and Marriage Worksheet).  Please look for the fillable PDFs and instructions included on the Town Clerk’s website:  https://www.rehobothma.gov/town-clerk/pages/marriage-licenses .  Please do not sign the documents until we can witness your signature in person.  We will also be making a photocopy of your driver’s license.  We ask, if possible, please make an appointment prior to coming to Town Hall (508-252-6502 – X3109 or X3112).  The parties must provide their social security number and mother’s maiden name.  Upon completion of the documents, there is a “State required” 3-day waiting period before the couple may pick up their marriage license.  The marriage intention/license is good for 60-days.  If you are not married within that timeframe, you must complete the process again.  The charge is $20 for the Marriage Intention and $10 for the Marriage Certificate.  Note:  If you are using an officiant from another state (Rhode Island for example), your officiant must obtain a one-day solemnization certificate from the Secretary of State’s office prior to your wedding day.  The application can be found on the Secretary of State’s website:   https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OneDayWeb/External/Welcome.aspx , the Rehoboth Town Clerk’s website https://www.rehobothma.gov/town-clerk/pages/marriage-licenses, or we have copies at Town Hall.

In closing, please stay healthy and safe and have a wonderful October.  Jenn, Kerrie and I wish you all a safe and healthy Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Halloween!  We wish you all a wonderful October.  I look forward to chatting with you in November.  Please stay healthy and safe.

Sincerely,
Laura