March 29, 2024

Town Clerk's Notes

Posted

Hello All ~ Happy New Year ~ I wish you a safe, healthy, happy, peaceful, and prosperous new year.  I also hope you all had a wonderful holiday season with family and friends.  By now you should have received your 2017 Annual Census forms and dog tag application form.  If you do not receive your 2017 census during the first week of January, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office (508) 252-6502 x-3110 or 3109.  Like last year, the census mailing also includes a town calendar and town services directory.  This is the fourth year the Clerk’s Department has provided a calendar in the census mailer.  Over the past few years we have received many compliments on how helpful the calendar was during the year.  Continuing my goal of making town government more accessible to the residents, it is my hope that the calendar provides you with key information right at your fingertips.  You will note, the calendar signals residents of upcoming due dates such as real estate tax payments, census forms, and dog licenses, which are highlighted in green; upcoming election and town meeting dates, which are highlighted in blue, and town department holidays that are bolded in red (whole day) and purple (half day).  On the reverse side of the calendar, you will also find a directory of the Town of Rehoboth’s departments, employees, and phone numbers.  Also included on the directory side you will find information and websites, which residents may find useful such as transfer station hours, burning permit information, school and library phone numbers, etc.  We hope you find the 2017 calendar addition to your census mailing a beneficial and time saving tool

~ Happy New Year and thank you for sending your completed census forms back to us as soon as possible!

 THANK YOU – REHOBOTH GARDEN CLUB

We are truly blessed in Rehoboth with many wonderful and generous individuals!  I would personally like to thank the Rehoboth Garden Club for the beautiful holiday wreaths they donate around town.  I noticed the gorgeous wreaths at Town Hall, Post Office, the COA, and the gazebo on Redway Plain – thank you for your generosity – you truly made our holidays special!  

UPCOMING JANUARY 23, 2017 – SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

I would like to remind all town residents that Monday, January 23rd, 2017 is our Special Town Meeting.  We will meet at the Dighton-Rehoboth High School Auditorium at 7:00 PM.  If you will be 18 years of age or older by January 23, 2017, you may register by the January 13th deadline ~ just in time for Special Town Meeting.  Remember your vote is important in the way our town is run and revenue is spent!  However, you must be present in order to voice your opinion. 

On the Special Town Warrant is:  the Fiscal Year 2017 Amended Budget; pay previous Fiscal Year 2016 unpaid bills; Municipal Government Complex; and the 297 Winthrop Street Solar “PILOT” Agreement. Please come to Special Town Meeting and be a part of the decision making process of our wonderful town.  Hope to see you there.

January Voter Registration for Special Town Meeting

We have a special voter registration session during the month of January with extended hours for those who cannot make it to Town Hall during regular business hours.  Friday, January 13, from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. is the required voter registration session for the January 23, 2017 Special Town Meeting.  If you are unable to make it to town hall, you may also register online @ https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/.   If you are not sure if you are registered to vote, you may check your voter status on the Secretary of State’s website at: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx.

If your registration indicates your voter status as inactive, please contact the Clerk’s office.  Should voters have questions or unable to check their voter registration status online, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 508 252-6502, Extension 3109 or 3110.

TOWN WEBSITE – One Year Old @ www.town.rehoboth.ma.us

How did we do the first year with our new website?

  • We have had 39,036 visitors who logged on for a total of 70,629 sessions and visited a total of 184,214 pages on our new website since its launch on December 7, 2015. 
    • Of the 70,629 sessions 44.7% (31,581) are returning visitors, while 55.3% (39,048) are new visitors.
  • What are our town website viewer demographics?
    • 45.85% Female / 54.15% Male
      • 27.50% - 18-24 year olds
      • 33.50% - 25-34
      • 15.50% - 35-44
      • 12.50% - 45-54
      • 05.50% - 55-64
      • 05.50% - 65+
  • How is the website accessed?
    • Desktop Computer 47,498 Sessions or 67.25% of our visitors use a desktop computer.
    • Mobile (Cell Phone) Device = 17,286 Sessions or 24.47%
    • Tablet Devises = 5,845 Sessions or 8.28%

If you are having difficulty navigating the new website, please give me a call (Laura – 508-252-6502 x-3110) and I will walk you through the key features.  We tried to create a website that is user friendly and a great resource for all residents.  Hopefully, if you are not one of the 39,036 visitors you will check out the site, bookmark it, and come back to visit often.  Town Department Heads are committed to keeping the information current and helpful for all.  Any suggestions are also welcomed . . . we want the town website to be your GO TO place for up-to-date town-wide information.  Please do not forget to register your e-mail address for “Urgent Alerts”.  If you need step-by-step directions that were included in last year’s census mailer, please let me know and I can send to you.  Know what is going on in your town – please register for “Urgent Alerts” your e-mail address will be kept confidential.  Thank you!

 ANNUAL TOWN CENSUS

As mentioned in last month’s article, the Board of Registrars is required to conduct an annual street listing (Census) of residents as of the first of January each year. In addition to the name, address, date of birth, occupation, veteran status, and number of dogs, the form includes a section for school information required by the school department.  Results of the census are used to prove residency for a variety of reasons. The data is used for state college entrance applications, veterans’ benefits, amending and establishing birth records, locating missing persons, establishing precinct lines, predicting future school enrollment, state and federal funding to the town, police and fire protection, updating the voting list, and other legal purposes.

Please review the pre-printed Census Form, make corrections, and return it no later than January 31st. You may choose to return the Census Form via the USPS, utilize Census drop off boxes at Town Hall, Blanding Library, Bristol County Savings Bank, or the Senior Center.  Additionally, you can scan in your signed and completed census forms and email them to either LSchwall@town.rehoboth.ma.us or LShaker@town.rehoboth.ma.us .

This year’s census mailer has three inserts in addition to the 2017 Calendar and household census forms.  The first insert is the Annual Dog Licensing form (white paper – black print).  Please note the 4th Annual Rehoboth-Seekonk Rabies Clinic, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 11th, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 (Noon).   For more information please see the bottom of the Dog Licensing Form or under the Dog Licenses and Rabies Clinic sections below.  The second insert is printed on yellow paper with black print.  This document gives you the opportunity to change your party enrollment or register to vote.  In 2017 we have one election and three town meetings scheduled, so please make sure you are registered to vote, know where (what Precinct) you vote in, and when to vote.  You can check your voter registration either by calling the Town Clerk’s office or online @ https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx .  Finally, the third insert is white page with full color print.  This document directs you to our new town website for information on the proposed Municipal Complex along with information on the upcoming Town Meeting (January 23, 2017) and Annual Town Election (April 3, 2017) dates regarding the proposed Municipal Complex.

New residents may receive blank forms, which they are asked to complete and return. If you do not receive a Census Form, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office 508-252-6502 X-3110 (Laura) or 3109 (Lynn).  Blank Census forms are also available on the town website @ http://www.town.rehoboth.ma.us/town-clerk/pages/census-information

Failure to return the completed form may result in voters being placed on an inactive voting list or being removed from the voting list. 

Residents are requested to please send in their census forms as quickly as possible regardless of whether or not they license their dogs at this time.

2017 DOG LICENSES

 Speaking of dog licenses, the 2017 Dog Licenses are now available and may be purchased at the Town Clerk’s Office.  Again in 2017, residents will also be able to renew their dog licenses online with a Debit/Credit Card or Electronic Check (ACH/EFT) at https://www.invoicecloud.com/rehobothgovsvcs

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 (the current postage is 71¢ for one dog tag, 93¢ for two dog tags and 1.15¢ for three dog). 

 2017 – 4th Annual Rabies Clinic

Keep them safe . . . inoculate!  The 4th Annual Rehoboth-Seekonk  $12 Dog and Cat Rabies Clinic is tentatively 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.

THE ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION

The Annual Town Election for the Town of Rehoboth will be held on Monday, April 3, 2017 with the polls open 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, or before, Monday, February 13th.

Positions to be elected on the ballot for 2017 are Moderator (one for 1 year), Selectmen (two position for 3 years), Tax Collector (one for 3 years), Assessor (one for 3 years), School Committee (two for 3 years), Planning Board (two for 5 years and one for one year) Park Commission (one for 5 years), Housing Authority (one for 5 years, one for 3 years), and Water Commissioner (two for 3 years and one).

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, or register online @ https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/ .

ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS

Applications for absentee ballots are available as of January 3rd 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.  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. 

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: The Town of Rehoboth.  If you prefer to renew online, you may use the debit/credit card/ ACH/EFT payment method on the town website.  However, your signature must be notarized on the business certificate renewal form then scanned and e-mailed to the town clerk’s office.  Free notary services are available at the town clerk’s office during regular office hours.  Debit/Credit Card or Electronic Check (ACH/EFT) transactions may also be processed through the town clerk’s office, in addition to online.

Questions or suggestions regarding any of the above topics may be directed to the Town Clerk’s Office, Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, 508-252-6502, X3109 (Lynn) or X3110 (Laura).

Lynn and I wish all of our town residents a happy, peaceful, healthy, and prosperous new year.

Sincerely,

 

Laura & Lynn

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