March 29, 2024

From the Town Clerk

Posted

HAPPY NEW YEAR, from the Town Clerk’s office. We hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season, with family and friends. We also wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous new year!

December 4, 2018 Special Election Results

Number of Eligible voter: 10,589
Total Votes Cast: 1,200
Percent of voters: 11.33%

Question:
Shall this Town adopt the following bylaw?
Summary
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 94G, Section 3 allows a town, through adoption of zoning bylaws, to prohibit all or certain types of adult-use marijuana establishments, also known as “recreational” or “non-medical” marijuana establishments, from operating in that town. In a town such as Seekonk that voted “yes” on Question 4 at the November 8, 2016 State Election in favor of allowing statewide adult-use of marijuana and lawful operation of marijuana establishments, a ballot question is also required. The bylaw amendment below, if approved by Town Meeting and at this election, would prohibit in the Town of Seekonk all “marijuana establishments”, as that term is defined in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 94G, Section 1. The prohibition would apply to marijuana establishments only. Adoption of the bylaw would have no impact on the lawful use of recreational marijuana by adults.
Text of Zoning Bylaw:
To amend Section 7 of the Town of Seekonk Zoning Bylaws, entitled, “TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENTS”, by deleting the title and text thereof in its entirety, and inserting in its place the following:
Section 7 PROHIBITION ON MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENTS
7.1 Consistent with G.L. c.94G, § 3(a)(2), all types of non-medical “marijuana establishments” as defined in G.L. c.94G, §1, including marijuana cultivators, independent testing laboratory, marijuana product manufacturers, marijuana retailers or any other types of licensed marijuana-related businesses, shall be prohibited within the Town of Seekonk.

The Clerk’s office would like to thank the people who helped us run another smooth election. This was our fifth election in 2018. It doesn’t matter if it is a Town Election or State Election it takes many moving parts to set up and run an election. Thanks to our dedicated registrars and the poll workers. Thanks to DPW and the SHS staff. Lorraine and I are hoping for a quiet election year in 2019 so we can get ready for 2020.

Annual Census
The 2019 ANNUAL CENSUS will be mailed to all households in Seekonk due to arrive by mid-January. Please update the information provided by adding, deleting, or making changes directly on the form. Please sign and return the census within 30 days. You CANNOT REGISTAR TO VOTE ON THIS FORM. If you don’t have a party designation next to your name you can register to vote by either going on line to www.sec.state.ma.us or coming into the Town Clerks office. There are multiple ways to return your census: mail it back to the Town Clerk with the provided envelope or drop it off at the following locations: Town Clerk’s Office, Town Hall drop box (outside Town Hall’s front door), Seekonk Sr. Center (540 Arcade Ave.), Seekonk Public Library, or you can scan it and email it to fcraig@seekonk-ma.gov or lsorel@seekonk-ma.gov

The reason why the State wants this information is that data collected from the census is used to prove residency, update the town’s voter rolls, veteran’s benefits, birth records, locating missing persons, predicting future school enrollment, establishing precinct lines, state and federal funding for the town, police and fire. It is important to respond in a timely manner, failure to respond to the census mailing may result in the removal from the active voting list and in removal from the voter registration rolls. (MGL CH. 51 Sec. 4c) A dog license form is included in your census mailing. Please remember DOG TAGS EXPIRE ON MARCH 31, 2019. Late fees are imposed starting June 1, 2019. You can come to the Town Clerk's office to renew your dog's license, or you can mail in the form, with a check and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Please send a self-addressed envelope and stamp, for each dog you are requesting a license for. We will send the dog tag(s) back to you in the mail. Just a reminder that it is a Massachusetts general law that dogs be licensed annually, with proof of a current rabies vaccination. Failure to comply may result in a by-law citation fee.

2019 Annual Rabies Clinic
The 2019 Rabies Clinic for both dogs, cats and ferrets will be held Saturday March 9, 2019 at the Seekonk Public Works Department Garage on the corner of Route 44 & Lake Street. Cats and ferrets must be in a secure carrier and dogs on leashes. Dr. Truesdale from Central Ave Veterinary Hospital will be administering the vaccinations. Proceeds will benefit the Seekonk Animal Control Department. Proof of a current rabies vaccine is required. For more details please call Animal Control (508) 336- 6663. License fee: $10.00 for spayed or neutered dogs. $20.00 for un-spayed or un-neutered dogs. 

Absentee Ballot Applications
Absentee ballot applications are available in our office or on our web-site. If you want to be put on the permanent absentee ballot mailing list please fill out the form and check off "for all elections". If you know you will be out of Town for a certain election you can request an absentee ballot several weeks before an election.

Nomination papers
Nomination papers for interested candidates are now available to be picked up for the Annual Town Election which will be held Monday April 1, 2019. The deadline to return the papers is February 12, 2019.
Elected positions available
Board of Assessors – 3 year term - 1 seat
Board of Selectmen – 3 year term - 1 seat
Library Board of Trustees – 3 year term – 3 seats – 2 year term 1 seat
Planning Board – 5 year term - 2 seats
School Committee – 3 year term - 2 seats
Water Commission - 3 year term – 1 seat

I would like to point out that when someone asks you to sign nomination papers please remember your signature must be legible, not just an initial or a scribble. The person signing must be a registered voter in the Town of Seekonk and the signature should not differ from the way it appears on the voting list. Also make sure you put down the street address at which you are registered to vote. The Town Clerk’s office cannot certify signatures that are illegible.

Lastly ~ Thank you to the Rehoboth Garden Club for the beautiful annual holiday wreaths they donated to the Seekonk Town Hall. They make the Town Hall front doors welcoming to all.
And once again a special thanks to Town Hall’s very own Lydia Cordeiro, in the Assessor’s office for sprucing up Town Hall and the Senior Center with beautiful festive decorations, greenery, and of course the wonderful Christmas trees. Her talent for decorating is a welcoming sight every year.

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