From the Town Clerk

Greetings from the Town Clerk’s office. It’s been a busy start to the New Year. We continue to process census forms and dog licenses. If you have not yet sent in or, dropped off your census please do so as soon as possible as it helps keep our records current. We’ve also been busy taking in and certifying nomination papers for the candidates running in the annual town election, which is right around the corner, April 2, 2018. Yes, the day after Easter. The polls will be open from 7:00am to 8:00pm and all voting takes place at the Seekonk High School gymnasium, 261 Arcade Ave. Please take the time and vote. It is important to support the candidates who are town residents who take the time to take out nominations papers and run for office. Your vote and voice make a difference. These people care about our community and want to work hard to maintain the wonderful town that Seekonk is. The last day to register to vote for this election is March 13. If you want to register to vote you can go online to www.123voter.com or come into the Clerk’s office.

Below is a list of the candidates and the offices they are seeking as well as the two questions that will be on the ballot asking for a YES or NO vote.

BOARD OF ASSESSORS
For Three Years
PAUL K. BUCKLEY, Candidate for Re-election

BOARD OF SELECTMEN
For Three Years Vote for Two
DAVID F. VIERA, Candidate for Re-election
DAVID S. PARKER, Candidate for Re-election
CHRISTOPHER ZORRA

HOUSING AUTHORITY
For Five Years Vote for One

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
For Three Years Vote for Two
KATHERINE LUSSIER
SHARON M. CONNORS, Candidate for Re-election

PLANNING BOARD
For Five Years Vote for One
Phoebe Lee Dunn, Candidate for Re-election

PLANNING BOARD
For Four Years Vote for One

SCHOOL COMMITTEE
For Three Years Vote for Two
JUSTIN SULLIVAN
KIMBERLY A. SLUTER
CYNTHIA E. CORBETT
NOAH ESCALER

WATER COMMISSIONER
For Three Years Vote for One
JEFFREY STARR MARARIAN
DAVID M. MELO

Question
“Do you agree with locating the M114, Howitzer Cannon that is on permanent loan from the Massachusetts Army National Guard, on the grounds of the Veterans Memorial Park, 400 Newman Avenue, adjacent to the Seekonk Public Library?”
Yes or No

Question
Shall the Town approve the charter amendment proposed by the Town Meeting summarized below?

The November 13, 2017 Fall Annual Town Meeting voted to amend Article 3, Section 2 of the Charter. Currently, this section of the Charter prohibits an elected official from holding any other elected office. The amendment, if approved by the voters, will allow an elected official to also serve on a G.L. c43B elected Charter Commission.
Yes or No

Cable 9 and the library will be hosting events to help you to know the candidates better.

State Primary September 4, 2018
This office has also started the process of certifying nomination papers for the state primary being held on September 4, 2018. Yes, the day after Labor Day. So far we have received nomination papers for Steven S. Howitt who is running for re-election as Representative in General Court in the Fourth Bristol District. Nomination papers for the primary must be in by May 1, 2018 by 5pm.


2018 Annual Rabies Clinic
The rabies clinic, for dogs and cats, will be held Saturday March 10, 9am – 12pm at the Seeking Public Works Department on the corner of Route 44 and Lake Street. The fee will be for the rabies vaccine $12.00 cash only. If you bring proof of a current rabies vaccine your animal will be eligible for a 3-year rabies vaccine. If you do not have proof your animal will be eligible for a 1-year vaccine. You will be able to drop off your dog license form with proof of rabies and payment. Your dog’s license will be processed the following week and mailed back to you. If you need a dog license form go to www.seekonk-m.gov and look under Forms and Documents, then click on Town Clerk, downloadable forms, dog licenses.

Seekonk is such a great community especially when residents go out of their way to make a quick call and give a compliment. Recently several residents called and stopped by the office to say how wonderful they thought the Newman cemetery looked even during the winter months. On the flip side we have received phone calls not so complimentary. This office along with the cemetery caretaker try very hard to keep the cemetery neat and clean. For the people who are frustrated we would like to ask for your patience during the late days of winter. Graves can sink from the snow, rain and frost heaves. Mr. Borrelli “Skip” the care taker has assured me that he has and will continue to fill some of the sunken in areas. He is still cleaning up Christmas decorations as well as from the storm the other day that left tree branches and debris. His spring cleanup work will begin very soon. If you have any concerns or comments please do not hesitate to call our office we are always willing to listen and help in any way we can. Town Clerk’s Office (508) 336-2920.

March has several annual events and holidays. To start us off right on the right foot March 11 daylight savings time begins. By the way, Benjamin Franklin tried to talk the French into adopting daylight savings time, but French farmers resisted the idea, insisting that cows could not change their habits. Then it’s on to March 17th for St. Patrick’s Day and then March 20 the long anticipated first day of spring. Lastly Good Friday falls on March 30th this year.

Save the Date
March 6 - Annual Taste of the Town sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Greater Seekonk, Inc. will be held at The Clarion Inn, 940 Fall River Ave. Seekonk. 6pm-9pm. There will be food, wine and beer tasting from the area’s finest restaurants. Tickets are available at the Town Clerks office or Bev Hart (508) 336-9352, Beverly Della Grotta (401) 749-4841 or Josephine Veader (508) 336-2921. Donation: $30.00 per ticket.

March 10 - Annual Rabies Clinic - 9am -12pm at the DPW building on Route 6 Seekonk.

March 24 – Household Hazardous Waste Day will be held on Saturday 9am-12pm Seekonk Town Hall 100 Peck St. Any questions contact the Seekonk Board of Health (508) 336-2950.

April 2 - The Annual Town Election for Seekonk. The polls will be open from 7am – 8pm. All precincts vote at the Sr. High School 261 Arcade Ave.

April 10,11,12 - The 31st Save A Pet Society, Inc. Annual Charity Auction will be held at the Ramada Inn 213 Taunton Ave. 6:30pm -10pm.

May 14 -Town Meeting will be held on Monday 7pm at the Seekonk High School auditorium 261 Arcade Ave.

Did you know?
The history of tags and licensing for dogs goes back to Thomas Jefferson. He wrote the first dog licensing law for his home state of Virginia, not because dogs were leaving presents on his lawn, but because dogs were killing his sheep. The idea was to identify the dog’s owner and make them pay for the sheep they killed. By the 1850s most localities had dog licensing laws that require dogs to wear a collar with the owners name and license number. Eventually small wooden or metal discs were used and referred to as dog tags.

Our office welcomes inquiries from all citizens seeking assistance or information in relation to services provided by the Town of Seekonk.

Take heart Spring is almost here!