From the Town Clerk

It’s been a long time coming, but June is finally here. I know everyone is glad for the warmer weather and the ability to go outside and enjoy the fresh air. I hope everyone had an enjoyable Memorial Day. It was a quiet one, without the parade. I would like to take a moment now to remember the brave men and women and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedom.

The month of May was an interesting one with Town Hall closed to the public. Thanks to the citizens of Seekonk for their patience and cooperation through this difficult time. It’s been difficult, but everyone has been wonderful adapting to new ways of getting things accomplished. We should be open to the public, by appointment, very soon.

Town Meeting will be held on June 22, 7pm at the high school auditorium. You must be a registered voter to vote at this meeting. The last day to register to vote for this meeting is June, 12^th. If you need to check your voter registration, or need to register to vote, you can go to: www.registertovotema.com

For more information concerning the town meeting please go to the town web-site: www.seekonk-ma.gov

You can also register ahead of time to let us know if you are going to attend town meeting. The registration can be found on front page of the town’s website. www.seekonk-ma.gov. The reason for a preregistration is to hopefully speed up the process of checking in and prevent long lines. You will still need to check in but all you will have to do is see one person tell them your name. We will already have your address and precinct information. Registering ahead of time is not mandatory, as some people may decide to attend at the last minute.

It is very helpful if you know your precinct ahead of time so you can go directly to your precinct check-in table. If you do not know your precinct you can call the town clerk’s office and we will tell you. 508-336-2920.

Town Election will be held on June 30, 8am-7pm at the high school gym. The deadline to register to vote in the town election is June19th. As stated above, in order to check your voter status, you can go to www.registertovotema.com

The current pandemic will require modifications to the layout and format of our polling location to ensure a safe and successful voting process for all voters and election staff.

A team of leaders in the town including myself, emergency management, public health officials and others are working on developing an election day plan which will include implementation of social distancing and sanitation protocols. That information will be provided on the Town web-site as soon as we have it.

Under the Massachusetts constitution absentee ballots are available for all elections to voters who are disabled, out of town on Election Day, or have a religious belief preventing them from voting at the polling location on Election Day. In response to the declared state of emergency, legislation was passed to allow for early voting by mail, which essentially provides for no excuse voting by mail. To obtain a ballot by mail voters must complete an application which can be found on the town’s web-site www.seekonk-ma.gov or you may email me at fcraig@seekonk-ma.gov and I would be happy to email you the link to the application.

To expedite the process I recommend voters email their applications to fcraig@seekonk-ma.gov

Please note we are unable to process an application that does not include a voter’s signature.

Once your completed application has been received by my office a ballot will be mailed to you.  If you are considering voting in the annual town election, I strongly recommend you apply now to receive a ballot by mail. Please allow enough time to have your application processed, have the post office mail it to you and time for you to return your ballot. Please note that ballots must be received back in at my office by the close of polls on election day. Ballots cannot be dropped off at the polling location on Election Day. You may mail your ballot to: 100 Peck St. Seekonk, MA 02771 or drop it in the drop box outside town hall.

When completing your ballot please remember to fill in the oval completely for the candidate you are voting for. Do not use check marks or X’s and please use a black pen or felt marker.

As of June 1^st Dog License renewals are past due. There will be a $20.00 late fee per dog imposed on license renewals. The license fees are $10.00 for spayed or neutered dogs. $20.00 for un-spayed or un-neutered dogs. If you are late renewing please remember to add $20.00 per dog to the above fees. Please call the Town Clerk’s office, if you have a problem getting your dog(s) an updated rabies vaccine due to the pandemic.

We are still updating census data and will be sending out post cards to residents who did not remember to answer the census this winter. If you receive this post card PLEASE mail it back so we can update your census information. Failure to respond to census mailings for two consecutive years will result in the removal from the active voting list and may result in removal from the voter registration rolls per MGL Ch. 51 4c.

Have a wonderful June and remember the Town Clerk’s office welcomes inquiries from all citizens seeking assistance, or information in relation to services provided by the Town of Seekonk.