From the Town Clerk

June is a great month for new beginnings, the buds on the trees are finally blooming, folks are planting flower and vegetable gardens and of course summer begins on June 21. Don’t forget to fly you American Flag in honor of Flag Day June 14^th and don’t forget Father’s Day on June 19^th. We also have as of 2021 a new federal holiday to celebrate, Juneteenth which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is observed annually on June 19. A brief history of this holiday; in 1863 during the American Civil War, Pres. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared more than three million slaves living in the Confederate states to be free.  It took two years before the news reached African Americans living in Texas. It wasn’t until Union soldiers went to Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, that the state’s residents learned slavery had been abolished.  The former slaves immediately began to celebrate. Within a few years other states were celebrating the day as well. Juneteenth became a state holiday in Texas in 1980 and a Federal Holiday in 2021. In observance of Juneteenth, the Town Hall will be closed on Monday June 20^th.

Congratulations to the Seekonk High School Seniors who graduated on June 3^rd. Good luck to all and much success in your future endeavors.

Annual Spring Town Meeting News
Seekonk held its Spring Town Meeting at Seekonk High School, 261 Arcade Ave. Monday May 9, 2022. The meeting was called to order at 7:08PM. Town Moderator, Peter Hoogerzeil went on to describe the new electronic voting system and presented a Power Point presentation with a test question for the audience. This was done to remind everyone how to use the new voting system, this is the second time the Town has used the electronic voting system and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

There were fifteen warrant articles to vote on, most were budget related and they all passed.  Article thirteen was put on the warrant as a citizen’s petition with over 20 signatures. Please see below:

Article 13 A motion was made and passed that the town vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen and/or School Committee negotiate, with qualified vendors, for a lease agreement to develop a photovoltaic electric power production facility at any and all town owned properties, under their respective control, at no cost to the taxpayers, in accordance with Massachusetts State Law, Chapter 25, Section 11C or Section 11I, and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources SMART Program, and take any other action as required thereto.

The meeting was dissolved at 9:51PM

For the full minutes of this meeting visit the town’s website www.seekonk-ma.gov go to the Departments, Town Clerk and the on the front page you will find them under the heading, “Meeting Minutes”.

2022 Elections Update
State Primary September 6, 2022. The last day to register to vote for this election is August 17. The winners of this primary get placed on the November State ballot. The offices that are in the running: State Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Attorney General, Treasure, Auditor, Governor’s Council, State Senator, State Representative, County Commissioner, District Attorney.

State Election November 8, 2022. The last day to register to vote for this election is October 19.

There will be early voting for these elections. The State has not confirmed the dates, but it will probably be one week for the primary and two weeks for the State election including weekends. I will announce those dates once confirmed by the State.

Absentee Voter information
In anticipation of the State Primary in September I urge people that have made vacation plans in August to apply for an absentee ballot. The application to receive an absentee ballot is on our website under the Town Clerk’s page under the heading “Downloadable Forms”. Please print the form, fill it out and either drop it off in the drop-box outside Town Hall, bring it into the Town Clerk’s office or mail it into Town Clerk’s office 100 Peck St. Seekonk, MA 02771. For more information please do not hesitate to call our office at 508-336-2920 and we will be glad to help you.

Dog license renewal grace period ended
All dog licenses were due and payable by March 31, 2022 there was a 60-day grace period which ended on May 31. Delinquent dog owners will be fined 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.

 Census 2022 Update
We completed updating the census data we received from this winter and will be sending out confirmation postcards to the 2,600 plus residents who did not answer the census. It is costly to send out these mailings if you receive the postcard, 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 voter list and may result in the removal from the voter registration rolls. MGL Ch. 51 Sec 4(c).

Have a great month. Happy Father’s Day to all fathers, grandfathers, father’s to be and remembering all fathers in heaven.  Have a great summer.

 Thank you for your continued support. ~ Florice ~