From the Town Clerk

May is a beautiful time of the year in New England. The buds on the trees are starting to pop along with the spring tulips and daffodils. It’s also a great time of the year to get out and enjoy the new trail behind Town Hall, I highly recommend walking it. There are also trails around Gammino Pond located near the Seekonk Library. The entrance on Newman Ave. has been cleared so you can have easy access to get to the trail head. You will see many species of birds and wildlife this time of the year.

Annual Spring Town Meeting
The annual Spring Town Meeting will take place 7pm on Monday May 13 at the Seekonk High School Auditorium. Please come out and participate in this very important budget meeting. Two weeks prior to the meeting you will be able to read and print out the warrant found on the town web-site under News and Notices.

Annual Town Census Update
The Town Census reflects our current population total which as of April 17, 2019 is “unofficially” 13,455. This is not an official total because we still have not received all census forms. If you have not done so please send in your census/street listing forms as soon as possible.

2019 Dog Licenses
Don’t forget to license your dog(s). There will be a $20 late fee per dog imposed on license renewals after May 31st.

Yard Sale Permits
It’s that time of year again. Just a reminder to those people who are thinking about having a yard sale please be advised that you need a yard sale permit. You can get them online at the www.seekonk-ma.gov under Department/Town Clerk /downloadable forms. It is $5.00 a day with a total of 4 per year. There is also a page outlining the bylaw concerning yard sale signage. Please be advised that it is not permitted to use telephone poles to post any type of sign. If you are going to have a yard sale please abide by the rules of the town. Thank you.

Water Department Annual Meeting
The annual Water Department Meeting will take place 6:30pm on Tuesday May 14, 2019 at the Seekonk Public Library. Their warrant includes the budget for the next fiscal year. If you have town water and are interested don’t forget to go to this important annual meeting.

Memorial Day Parade
The annual Memorial Day Parade is scheduled for Saturday May 25, 2019. It will start at 10AM at the Seekonk High School 261 Arcade Ave. and will follow the same route as in previous years, ending at the Hurley Middle School on Newman Ave. There will be a ceremony at 11:30AM following the parade at the Veterans Memorial Park, 410 Newman Ave. Please come out and honor our veterans.

Community Information
Often times in the Town Clerk’s office we get many phones that start out with “I don’t know if this is the right department but…” and we are always happy to direct the person to the correct department. I would like to take this time to give an alphabetical list of the departments in Town Hall and a brief description what they take care of.
Assessor’s Office 508-336-2980 – Questions regarding how a property is assessed. Real estate, personal property, vehicle, boat excise tax and farm animal tax. Assess values to commercial, industrial, residential, personal property. Process exemptions for veterans and elderly. Abatements for personal property, real estate and motor vehicles. Measurements of parcels maintained on maps. Maintains deeds from 1966 to present.
Building Department 508-336-2990 – Questions regarding obtaining building, electrical, gas, plumbing and pool permits. Investigates zoning by-law questions and/or violations.
Collector’s Office 508- 336 2930 – Questions regarding bills and payment of: Real estate and personal property tax bills. Motor vehicle excise tax bills, disposal/trash bills, Municipal Lien and Certificate of Good Standing issued.
Conservation Department 508 -336-2944 – Responsible for protection of Seekonk’s natural resources. Wetland and Water Resource permits. Questions regarding, development near wetlands and streams, passive recreation. Investigates wetland violations and illegal discharges into storm drains, water bodies and streams. Accepts donations of land for preservation.
Council on Aging/Human Services 508–336-8772 – 540 Arcade Ave. Responsible for GATRA Dial-A Ride Service, senior activities, events and trips. Meals on Wheels, food and fuel assistance
Health Department 508-336-2950 - Oversees all aspects of Title 5, licenses septic installers, engineers, food service facilities, piggeries. Inspects food service facilities, pools, motels, tanning salons, health spas. Investigates tenant-landlord disputes. Investigates potential illegal dumping.
Planning Department 508– 336-2962 – Questions concerning subdivisions, re-zone requests, site plans, zoning by-law revisions, Form A plans.
Parks & Recreation 508–336-2942 – Field use permits, building use permits, seasonal and family programs.
Public Works 508–336-7407 – Questions concerning trash pick-up, recycling, landfill passes. Maintains town roads and municipal facilities. Tree Warden.
Selectmen/Town Administrator 508-336-2910 – Budget information and purchasing information. Alcoholic beverage licenses, amusement, antique / second-hand, entertainment, selling motor vehicles, vending machine licenses. Personnel/employment information. Town by-law information.
Town Clerk’s Office 508-336-2920 Questions concerning business certificates, dog licensing, voter registration/ election information. Yard sale permits, marriage licenses, census/new resident information. Notary service, Justice of the Peace, raffle and bazaar permits. Seekonk Cemetery, records and deeds. Vital records: marriage, death, birth, genealogical records.
Treasurer’s Office 508–336-2970 – Departmental receipts, tax titles, employee payroll and benefits. Town/School retiree health insurance.
Veteran’s services 508–336-8772 – Compensation, pension, insurance for veterans. Discharge difficulties. Employment, educational, vocational training. Help with alcoholic/drug treatment, hospitalization and domicile care. At-risk homeless and housing. Gold Star parents. Loan information- SBA and VA. Care of Graves. Advocacy with other government agencies.
Water District 508–761-8170- Questions concerning drinking water usage, quality and bills.
Zoning Board of Appeals 508–336-2961 Appeal of a decision made by building inspector or town official. Special permits and variances.

I would just like to remind the people who have been appointed or re-appointed to be on a Board or Committee you need to be sworn in at the Town Clerk’s office. It is important to do so to be able to participate and vote at your meeting. If you are newly appointed you must take the conflict of interest training. If you have questions about this please do not hesitate to contact the Town Clerk’s office.

Town Hall will be closed Monday May 27, 2019 in observance of Memorial Day. Memorial Day is the day that’s set aside to remember with gratitude and pride all those who served and died for our country and our freedom. Please remember to thank a Veteran.

Have a wonderful month. As always thank you for taking the time to read my monthly updates 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.