March 28, 2024

From the Town Clerk

Posted

Hello All ~ where did July go or for that matter . . . where did 2017 go? Time certainly does fly when you are having fun!!! A friendly reminder, real estate taxes were due Monday, August 1, 2017. You may process your tax payment online @ https://www.invoicecloud.com/rehobothma, drop them off at town hall (hours Monday-Thursday 8-4 and Friday 8-Noon), drop off your payment in the outside drop box (24/7), or mail to Cheryl Gouveia Treasurer/Tax Collector via US Post Office ~ thank you.

NEMCI&A / IIMC – Year Three Certification Classes & Graduation
Thanks to your vote at Town Meeting, I attended my third year (of a three-year certification program) of the International Institute of Municipal Clerk’s training conducted on the campus of Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire. It was a wonderful learning and networking experience. I was one of nineteen students in the “year-3” program. Our class was made up of twelve clerks from Massachusetts, two clerks from Maine, one clerk from Connecticut, one clerk from New Hampshire, two clerks from Vermont and one clerk from Rhode Island. It was a packed six day schedule. Over the six days, I accumulated 99-hours of class time and homework hours. Classes started when we arrived on campus on Saturday, July 8th. Check in was at 2:30 p.m. and the first class began at 4:30 p.m. and ended at 9:00 p.m. Starting with our Sunday, July 9th classes, our “official” daily schedule for the week began at 7:00 a.m. each day in the cafeteria for breakfast. Classes started at 8:00 a.m. and ran until 9:00 p.m. with a lunch and dinner break in between. In addition, homework was assigned for the next day for most of our classes.

It was interesting to learn how the Clerk’s role differs in other States, as well as sharing ideas with fellow Clerks from Massachusetts. As described in our handouts, “Year three is the final year of the Institute and allows clerks to complete the educational requirements for CMC certification. It continues the emphasis on public relations, decision making, personal development, management and professionalism” the courses I took this year were: Budget Preparation-Part 1, Emotions in the Workplace-Part 1, Public Speaking, Microsoft Excel Basics – Tips and Tricks and Working with Data, Freedom of Information, Handling Emotions in the Workplace-Part 2, Parliamentary Procedures, Budget Presentations-Part 2, Ethics, and Group Dynamics. All in all, it was a wonderful, productive, and enjoyable week. I was tired, but it was a good tired because we learned so much, which will in turn allow us to be more productive and available to the community. Our graduation ceremony was wonderful also and I was awarded the General Code Scholarship, which is awarded to the Clerk who demonstrated a commitment to the Municipal Clerk’s profession and ideals. The $250 scholarship affords me the opportunity to attend a few continuing education classes next year free of charge to the town!

2017 Street Listings Are Available
If you would like a copy of the 2017 Street Listings, there is a charge of $15.00. You may pick up your copy at Town Hall – Clerk’s Office or online @ https://www.invoicecloud.com/rehobothgovsvcs. Also available are the printed 2016 Annual Reports, which are free to residents. The Annual Report is also available online @
https://www.town.rehoboth.ma.us/sites/rehobothma/files/uploads/annual_report_2016_-_final-5-8-17.pdf

2017 Dog Tags – Past Due – Citations Unfortunately Issued
I am pleased we have registered 1,960 dogs so far this year, unfortunately, we still have 188 dogs that remain unlicensed. All dog licenses were due April 1st, we offered dog owners a 60-day grace period, and we sent reminder postcards prior to the $15 late fee being imposed on June 1st. Additional reminders were printed in the Rehoboth Reporter monthly since January, press releases were sent to local newspapers, and e-alerts were sent out to those residents who registered their e-mail address with our website. Our Animal Control Officer even called delinquent dog owners to remind them to pay their late dog fees prior to the non-criminal citations being sent. We really did try to alert the dog owners prior to the July 15th Citation and an additional $25 late fee was imposed. If you are one of the 188 residents that have not renewed their dog’s license this year, please make sure the dog has a valid rabies certificate and register your dog as soon as possible. A $10.00 dog license renewal fee has now escalated to $56.47 per dog. Please license your dog as soon as possible to avoid further action involving the Animal Control Officer. The State authorizes all Animal Control Officers to fine delinquent dog owners $50/day until they renew their dog’s yearly licenses. Please do not let that happen to you. If you were one of the 300+ residents who received a certified Mail letter from our Animal Control Officer, please pay as soon as possible via mail, stopping by town hall, dropping off your payment and valid rabies certificate in the “drop box” outside of town hall, or by paying online at https://www.invoicecloud.com/rehobothgovsvcs. Please know if your dog is ill and can’t receive a rabies shot, or has passed away, we will not know unless you notify the clerk’s office 508-252-6502 x-3109 or x-3110 ~ thank you.

Business Certificates
If you are filing for a new business within the Town of Rehoboth, or if you are planning to file a DBA (Doing Business As), you must first go to the Building Inspector/Zoning Officer’s office at 148 Peck Street to determine if any filings are necessary with their office prior to completing the final step of filing with the Town Clerk’s office. The fee to file for a business certificate is $50. The certificate is valid for four years. Should an amendment to the business certificate be needed, a $10 fee will be charged. For forms and additional business certificate information, please visit our town website @ http://www.town.rehoboth.ma.us/town-clerk/pages/business-certificates

Upcoming Elections ~ September 19 & October 17, 2017
As mentioned in my May Reporter Article, we have two upcoming unanticipated elections that are scheduled due to Senator James Timilty resigning his State Senate seat. To fill the vacated seat, a State Primary will take place on Tuesday, September 19th and the State Election will be held on Tuesday, October 17th. The last day to register to vote in the Primary is Wednesday, August 30th (9-19-17 election) and Wednesday, September 27th for the State Senate Election (10-17-17 election).

***CHANGE IN FALL TOWN MEETING DATE***
Please mark your calendars . . . Due to the State scheduling the State Senate Election on Tuesday, October 17, 2017; we will need to move our scheduled Fall Town Meeting Date from Monday, October 16, 2017 to Monday, November 6, 2017. Last day to register to vote in the Fall Town Meeting will be Friday, October 27th from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

In closing, as a volunteer on the Town Event’s Committee, I would like to remind you to mark your calendar for the upcoming 18th Annual Larry Procopio – Harvest Block Party on Saturday, September 16 (rain date – Sunday September 17) from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Redway Plain. Any vendors that are interested in obtaining a booth should contact Chairperson, Mary Beth Moriarty @ maryelizabethmoriarty@yahoo.com.

Lynn and I wish you all a safe, happy, most enjoyable summer, and a wonderful Labor Day holiday. I look forward to talking with you in September.

Laura & Lynn

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

Share!
Truly local news delivered to every home in town