March 28, 2024

From the Town Clerk

Posted

The annual ringing in of the New Year is always a cause for celebration. It’s a time to raise a glass and toast to friends and family that are with us and remembering those who have passed. 2021, was certainly challenging. Just when we thought things were getting better, setbacks hit and a return to normal is further delayed. January is a time to look forward with hopes that we can return to a less stressful way of life. The Town Clerk’s office wishes everyone a happy, healthy and safe 2022.

2022 Town Census Information
The 2022 Annual Town 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 REGISTER TO VOTE ON THIS FORM. On the census you will notice a letter next to your name. The letter indicates your political party affiliation. For instance, an “R” indicates Republican party, a “D” indicates Democratic party, a “U” indicates Unenrolled (Independent) party, etc.

If you don’t have a party designation next to your name you can register to vote by going online to www.sec.state.ma.us.  When responding back you can either mail it back with the provided envelope, or drop it in the Town Hall drop-box (outside Town Hall’s front door), or you can scan it, and email it to: fcraig@seekonk-ma.gov or lsorel@seekonk-ma.gov Failure to return your census may result in the removal from the active voting list. (MGL ch51 sec. 4c) The data collected from the census is used to prove residency, update the town’s voter rolls, veteran’s benefits, birth records, locating missing persons, estimating future school enrollment, establishing precinct lines, state and federal funding for the town, police and fire.

We received the final information on the Massachusetts 2020 Census and we can report that Seekonk has a population of approximately 15,500. We did not have a significant enough increase to add another precinct so we will remain at four (4) precincts. The state did however change a few precincts lines in order to even up the population in some precincts. This happened with Precinct 1 and 2. It only effects a small portion and this office will be in touch by mail with the neighborhoods and streets that will be changing precincts.

Included in the town census mailing is a dog license form. This gives dog owners the opportunity to license their dogs by mail, or drop-box before the March 31st due date. Mail to: Seekonk Town Hall, Town Clerk’s Office 100 Peck St, Seekonk, MA 02771 or drop it in the Town Hall drop-box (outside Town Hall’s front door). Please include a copy of each dog’s current rabies certificate issued by your veterinarian and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The license fees are $10 for spayed and neutered dogs and $20 for un-spayed or un-neutered dogs. Checks are to be made out to the Town of Seekonk. Mass General Law requires that all dogs be licensed annually, with proof of current rabies vaccinations. Failure to comply will result in a by-law citation fine.  If you have any questions about dog licensing, please do not hesitate to call our office. 508-336-2920.

Also please note that at the Spring town meeting the town voted to accept Mass. General Law - Chapter 140 section 139 (c) which says that: No fee shall be charged for a license for a dog owned by a person aged 70 years or over.  If you are 70 years an older you still must license your dog(s) you just do not have to pay the fee.

The rabies clinic has tentatively, been set for Saturday March 12, 2022. Hours will be 9AM-12PM. It will be held at the Seekonk Public Safety Building Fire division. The attending veterinarian will be Dr. Truesdale and the fee will be $15.00 cash. The town of Rehoboth and possibly Dighton will be joining us. 

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.

The Annual Seekonk Town Election 2022 will be held Monday April 4, 2022. Nomination papers for offices are available in the Town Clerk’s office. Deadline to submit nomination papers to the Town Clerk is Monday February 14, 2022 at 5PM.

You must obtain a minimum of 50 signatures from voters registered in Seekonk. A street address not a P.O. Box is required from each person signing your papers. Please make sure signatures are legible or we will not be able to certify them.

The Elected positions available in 2022 are listed below:

BOARD

NUMBER OF POSITIONS

TERM

Board of Assessors

One

3-year

Board of Selectmen

One

3-year

Library Board of Trustees

Three

3-year

Planning Board

One

5-year

Planning Board

One

3-year

Housing Authority

One

5-year

School Committee

Two

3-year

Water Commission

One

3-year

A friendly reminder the third quarterly real-estate tax bills will be due on February 1, 2022.

Monday January 17, 2022 Town Hall will be closed for appointments and phone calls in observance of Martin Luther King Day. 

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.

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