From the Town Clerk

Posted Thursday, February 2, 2017 1:57 pm

Hello All ~ Happy February ~ I hope you are staying warm! As a friendly reminder, Real Estate Tax Bills were due Wednesday, February 1st. Payment can be made via mail, hand delivery to Town Hall-Tax Collector’s Office, drop box outside of town hall or online @ http://www.town.rehoboth.ma.us. If paying online, please scroll down to “Online Payments” and then click “Tax Payments” on the Town’s homepage.

REMEMBERING JOHN V. MORIARTY
Unfortunately, this type of article is occurring much too frequently. We lost another wonderfully dedicated town resident on Tuesday, December 27, 2016. I would personally like to send my condolences to the Moriarty family. Having worked with John through the Rehoboth Lions Club and Harvest Block Party/Town Events Committee for years, I will truly miss John. He was a wonderfully giving man and friend to us all. John served the Town of Rehoboth for over 22 years. John first served on the Conservation Committee from 1995-2000 and continued to volunteer through the years as a member of the Mining Study Committee in 1996, Gravel Committee from 1997-2001 and 2009-2012. John was elected as a Selectman for a three-year term from 2000-2003, served on the SRPEDD Commission from 2002-2003, Financial Policy Advisory Board from 2000-2003, served as Acting Interim Veterans Service Officer until one was hired (11/5/03-6/30/2005), and COA Board member from 2005-2008. In 2006, John was again elected to Parks Commission serving from 2006-2009, elected to Planning Board 2009-2015, and served as a member of the Harvest Block Party/Town Events Committee for sixteen-plus years from 2000-2016. As dedicated to the town as John was, he depicted the true picture of what a “public servant” is. In 2014 John and Mary Beth nominated me as the Public Servant of the year through the Rehoboth Lions Club Recognition Program. It was a great honor for me; made all the more special because such an amazing public servant made the nomination. I will always treasure John as a wonderful friend, mentor, and volunteer. I will sincerely miss John. My thoughts and prayers are with the Moriarty family and all John’s friends during this difficult time. I know he will be watching over us and keeping us inline.

2017 REHOBOTH TOWN CENSUS
By now, you should have received your 2017 census form, dog license renewal, voter registration sheet, and our 2017 calendar/town directory. This year’s calendar features the Village Dam on the corner of Bay State Road and Locust Avenue. I would like to thank the Rehoboth Historical Commission for allowing me to use their description of both the village and dam, which was printed in their publication: “Guide to Historic Sites in Rehoboth, Mass”. As you know, my goal is to feature a different historic and beautiful section of Rehoboth on each year’s census calendar complete with a little history of our picturesque town. Hopefully, you find the calendar and town directory a helpful tool. I would also like to thank the many residents for their kind comments on how useful the calendar and directory are. If you did not receive your census mailer, please let me know at 508-252-6502 x-3110 or email me at lschwall@town.rehoboth.ma.us.

I would like to thank the 3,077 households that quickly reviewed their census data, made any necessary changes, and returned the forms to us. Again, this year, residents are afforded the opportunity to drop off their census forms at locations around town (Bristol Savings Bank, Blanding Library, COA-Senior Center, and Town Offices), the outside drop box at Town Hall, fax, e-mail, or mail them in. I would especially like to thank those families who processed their census forms and dog tags online. It was exciting to see that residents were able to choose the most convenient way possible to respond. Lynn and I are processing your changes and preparing the documents for our Registrars. During the months of February/March, the Registrars will begin contacting those residents who have not returned their 2017 census forms. Please respond as soon as possible so we do not have to bother you with a phone call ~ thank you.

Just a reminder, the census form does not register you to vote or allow you to change your political designation. We’ve come across many census forms in the past with the party designations crossed out and replaced with something else or a designation added to individuals who are not currently registered to vote. If you want to register to vote or make a change to party designation, you must complete the appropriate forms. As a convenience to all voters this year, we have enclosed a yellow flyer with your census documents so you could register to vote or make your party changes and return the signed forms to us. We need your signature to either register you to vote or change your political party. This can be done in person, by mail, or online. Simply call us at 508-252-6502 x-3110 or x-3109 or e-mail us at LSchwall@town.rehoboth.ma.us or LShaker@town.rehoboth.ma.us. If you prefer to register or change your political affiliation online, please go to www.RegisterToVoteMA.com. Mail-in voter registration applications are also available @ https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Voter-reg-mail-in.pdf - please complete the application, save it, and e-mail or mail the signed form to us. In order to be eligible to vote in the upcoming Annual Town Election (Monday, April 3, 2017), all voter registrations and/or political party changes must be made no later than 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 14th.

Town Clerk Online Payments
As a reminder, we continue to offer the option of a Credit/Debit card or EFT/ACH payment system, available on the town website under online payments and then clicking on Town Clerk Payments. This feature enables you to conduct several town business functions online, like processing dog licenses, through the town website @ www.town.rehoboth.ma.us or directly to town clerk online payments by going to https://www.invoicecloud.com/rehobothgovsvcs. Paying by Debit/Credit Cards or EFT/ACH payments is also available when visiting the Town Clerk’s office. We hope this added feature makes our town services more accessible and convenient for the residents. In 2016 we had a total of 293 individuals take advantage of our credit card/EFT payment system up from 183 when we began back in 2014. The online activity this year (2016) resulted in a total of $6,223.16 ($2,419.50 more than 2014) for items such as genealogy fees, business certificates, raffle permits, dog licenses, birth/death/marriage certificates, street listings, and various miscellaneous items related to the clerk’s office.

Dog Licenses for 2017
2017 Dog Licenses are now available and may be obtained by mail, online at https://www.invoicecloud.com/rehobothgovsvcs, or at the Town Clerk’s Office. Town Hall hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The licensing fees are as follows: Male or female dog $20.00, female-spayed or male-neutered $10.00. If paying by check, please make sure it is made payable to “Town of Rehoboth”. Dog licenses are due annually by April 1st. Whether renewing online, via mail, or in person, dog license applications must be accompanied by a current year rabies certificate (with a vaccination date covering the current licensing year) and proof of spay or neuter [if applying for the $10 licensing fee] unless we already have your documentation on file in the Clerk’s Office. If you are unsure, please give the office a call, and we can tell you how up-to-date our information is. Dog owners should note that the license(s) will not be returned unless a stamped, self-addressed envelope is included with postage (the current postage is 71¢ for one dog tag, 93¢ for two dog tags and 1.15¢ for three tags). Since January 3rd we have processed over 200 – 2017 dog licenses ~ thank you all for submitting so quickly.

2017 – 4th ANNUAL RABIES CLINIC
Keep them safe . . . inoculate! The 4th Annual Rehoboth-Seekonk $12 Dog and Cat Rabies Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, March 11, 2017 - 9:00 AM ~ 12:00 Noon @ Seekonk Public Works Department Garage (On the Corner of Route 44 & Lake Street). The Rehoboth & Seekonk Town Clerks will be there to renew your 2017 Dog Licenses. For more details, please call 508-252-6502 X-3110 or 3109.

JANUARY 23, 2017 – SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
On Monday, January 23, 2017 – 207 registered voters out of 8,692 eligible voters (2.38%) came out at 7:00 p.m. on a rainy evening to vote on the following articles:

At the conclusion of the January 23, 2017 Special Town Meeting, Board of Health Agent and Chairman of the Municipal Government Complex Committee, Robert “Bob” Ashton was recognized for his 15 years of dedicated service as Rehoboth’s Board of Health Agent. We will sincerely miss Bob! He does promise to stop by now and then to keep us up-to-date on his various vacations, which he will now be able to take with his wonderful wife Paula who is also retired. Happy Retirement Bob!! We wish you and Paula well. Bob’s last day will be Friday, February 17, 2017.

APRIL 3, 2017 – ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION
The Annual Town Election for Rehoboth will be held on Monday, April 3, 2017 with the polls scheduled to be opened from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. – ALL THREE PRECINCTS WILL BE OPEN. Precinct I is the Town Office Building at 148 Peck Street, Precinct II is the Gladys L. Hurrell Senior Center at 55 Bay State Road, and Precinct III is the South Fire Station at 102 Pleasant Street.

Nomination papers are now available for any registered voter in Rehoboth wishing to run for election on the Town ballot and who chooses not to seek a nomination through their registered party’s caucus process. Nomination papers may be picked up by prospective candidates at the Town Clerk’s office and must be returned, signed by a minimum of 38 registered voters, to the Board of Registrars at the Town Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 13th. If you choose to go through the Democratic or Republican caucus process, the upcoming caucus dates and locations are as follows:

The Democratic Town Committee Caucus to nominate candidates for the April 3, 2017 Town Election will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the COA – Senior Center, 55 Bay State Road.

The Republican Town Committee Caucus to nominate candidates for the April 3, 2017 Town Election will be held on Wednesday, February 14, 2017 - 7:30 p.m., at the COA - Senior Center – 55 Bay State Road. In the case of inclement weather, an alternate date of Wednesday, February 22, 2017 - 7:30 p.m., has been scheduled, also at the COA – Senior Center.

Positions to be elected on the ballot for 2017 are Moderator (one for one year), Selectmen (two for three years), Tax Collector (one for three years), Assessor (one for three years), School Committee (two for three years), Planning Board (two for five years and one for one year), Park Commission (one for five years), and Water Commissioner (two for three years).

The final voter registration date to be eligible to vote in the Annual Town Election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Clerk’s Office.

Prospective voters are reminded that they may also register to vote by calling the Town Clerk’s Office to request a Mail-In voter registration form, stopping by the Town Clerk’s Office to fill out the necessary forms in person, or register online @ https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/ or www.RegisterToVoteMA.com.

ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS
Applications for absentee ballots are now available and may be obtained from the Town Clerk’s Office. Absentee ballots are obtained by written request only and must have the voter’s original signature. The deadline for filing absentee applications is Friday, March 31st at 5:00 p.m. for the April 3, 2017 Annual Town Election. Absentee ballot request forms are also available online @ http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee_ballot.pdf for an individual request or http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee_ballot_fam.pdf for a family member.

Any questions regarding voter eligibility or requests for mail-in voter registration forms may be directed to the Town Clerk’s Office.

TOWN HALL MAIL
It is requested that when you send correspondence to any office at the Town Hall, you only include information specific to the department you want to communicate with. As an example, residents might send in their tax payment along with their census form or dog license. Tax payments would go to the Tax Collector whereas census forms or dog licenses would go to the Town Clerk’s Office. By including multiple offices in one envelope, it may delay processing your requests or payments. Thank you for your consideration.

BUSINESS CERTIFICATES
Business owners whose business certificate will expire during January through June of 2017 should have received a reminder for renewal. The renewal fee is $50.00 (certificate renewal is good for four years) and checks should be made payable to Town of Rehoboth. You may now renew online using a debit/credit card or electronic check at
http://www.town.rehoboth.ma.us/town-clerk/pages/business-certificates.

If you have any questions on any of the above items, please feel free to contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-252-6502, X3109 or X3110.

As a reminder, the Town Offices will be closed on Monday, February 20th in honor of President’s Day. We hope you enjoy the President’s Day holiday. Also, a Happy Valentine’s Day to all from Laura and Lynn in the Town Clerk’s Office.

Even though the weather is cool, it is encouraging that the days are getting longer. Spring cannot be too far behind. Thank you all – please take care ~ Laura & Lynn