From the Town Clerk

Hello All ~ Happy July.

I can’t believe we are more than half way through 2017. I also can’t believe four full years have passed since I became your Town Clerk. I have to say . . . time sure does fly when you are having fun!!! I am definitely having fun and absolutely love being your Town Clerk. Thank you for another exciting, interesting, challenging, and informative year!

As you know, one of my goals is to make the Town Clerk’s office more accessible to the public. On June 14, 15, and 16, 2017, the Massachusetts Clerk’s Association offered a three-day workshop offering several classes, which I felt would benefit Lynn and I in providing enhanced services to the Town. As a result, I asked retired Town Clerk, Kathleen Conti, if she would manage the Clerk’s office while we were at the workshop. Kathy generously agreed, and opened the office for business both Wednesday and Thursday – thank you so much Kathy! I am pleased to say the Clerk’s office remained open, residents received the services they needed, and Lynn and I were able to attend several great workshops, which will benefit us all.

The classes we took were: 2020 Census Overview – where we focused on how to access and utilize the current census data. Presenters were Michelle Tassinari, Director/Legal Counsel Elections Division, Secretary of State Office; John Barr, Census Program Manager; and Secretary of State Office representative Alexandra Barker, Data Dissemination Specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau. The data we learned to access will help our community in emergency planning, site location, economic development, reporting on worker and business characteristics, employment and residential area comparisons, worker flows, and commuting patterns and demographics. Raffle, Bazzar, and Texas Hold’ems – Presented by Donna Foley, Director of Audit and Control/Charitable Gaming/MA Lottery Commission, Donna discussed the law and regulations governing raffles and bazaars including Texas Hold’ems and the role of the Lottery. She also reviewed the responsibilities of both the Clerks and Charitable Leadership in the application process, who/what organizations must get permits, when the permits are needed and how to handle the application. Help Desk – Learn more about how to use the Voter Registration Information System – Presented by Brigid Battell, Supervisor of the Help Desk and Michelle Tassinari, Director/Legal Counsel, Elections Division – Secretary of State’s Office. They discussed the underutilized functions of the program so our office can get the most out of the State system. “Ask Lauren” A Potpourri of Topics and Questions – Presented by Attorney Lauren Goldberg, Member and Managing Attorney from KP Law. Lauren presented information concerning Notary Publics, Business Certificates/DBAs, the Municipal Modernization Act, Open Meeting Law, and Public Records Law. The final class was DOR-DLS Town Clerk Reporting – Presented by Kathleen Colleary, Bureau Chief/Municipal Finance Law, Department of Local Services and Lisa Juskiewicz, Data Bank Director. This program explained the Reports the Town Clerk must submit to the Division of Local Services (DLS) and Department of Revenue (DOR). We received in-depth information on the DA-82 (Loan Authorization Form), Tax Rate Recapitulation Certification of Appropriations, Local Option Acceptances Vote, Certification of Assessors, Proposition 2½ Ballot Question Votes, and reviewed how to use the DLS Gateway to submit electronically our reports and to update the Local Officials Directory. We spent a considerable amount of time on reviewing Proposition 2½ ballot question procedures, which I found very helpful; especially with our June 27, 2017 Special Town Capital and Debt Exclusion Election.

All classes were very informative and helpful. Lynn and I look forward to implementing what we have learned to increase the proficiency of our office.

JUNE 27, 2017 SPECIAL TOWN CAPITAL & DEBT EXCLUSION ELECTION
The June 27, 2017 Special Town Capital and Debt Exclusion Election for the D-R Regional School District resulted in 11% voter participation and the passing of both questions. Polls were open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. All three precincts were open. The official tally appears below:

I would personally like to thank the many people who helped make sure our election ran smoothly, Assistant Town Clerk Lynn, Registrars Kathy, Jenn & Helene, Highway Department staff, Veterans John & David, Election Setup Supervisor Neal and South Fire Station for election equipment setup/takedown, and Wardens Mel, Kathy & Bev; Clerks, Wendy, Maureen & Jackie; Constables Mike, Bill & Ken, and Inspectors: Ed, Donald, Neal, Ray, Eve, Lorraine, Charlotte, Brenda, Jane, Steve, Rosemary, Cynthia, Ellie, Ann, and Nancy. Thank you Vinos for the delicious BBQ Chicken dinners and thank you Dunkin Donuts for coffee, muffins, and donuts.

I would also like to thank the 43 election workers who came out to our election worker training on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. I have placed my election worker training PowerPoint and handout materials on the Town Clerk’s page of the town website if you would like to review. Go to: https://www.town.rehoboth.ma.us/town-clerk/pages/election-worker-training-resources and if, after reviewing the materials you would like to become an election worker, please fill out a talent bank form and become a part of our wonderful team.

NEW ENGLAND MUNICIPAL CLERK INSTITUTE & ACADEMY ~ JULY 9-15, 2016
Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire
Thanks to Town Meeting’s vote in May, I will be completing my 3-year Internationally Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) certification process as Rehoboth’s Town Clerk. This year will be my third and final term. The Certified Municipal Clerk program is designed to enhance the job performance of the Clerk in small and large municipalities. The program consists of a solid week of classes beginning Saturday, July 8 through Friday, July 14 at Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Therefore, I will be out of the office during that week. The International Institute of Municipal Clerks program is held during the same week of July, each year, for three years. In addition to accumulating the necessary classroom hours, I must also complete a 3-year Town Clerk “experience” requirement as well. If all goes well, by the end of this calendar year I will be both your Internationally Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks Association along with a Certified Massachusetts Municipal Clerk (CMMC) through the Massachusetts Town Clerk’s Association. I look forward to reporting on how this year’s coursework went in my August Reporter article.

DOG LICENSES
All dog licenses were due and payable by April 1st. A $15.00 late fee is being assessed for any licenses that were not renewed by June 1st. We still have 282 dogs that are unlicensed for this year. A non-criminal citation with an additional charge of $25.00 will be issued for any dogs that are not licensed by July 15th, so please, come in and license your dogs to avoid any further late charges. If your dog has a valid rabies vaccine, you may also register your dog online at https://www.invoicecloud.com/rehobothgovsvcs 24/7. Thanks so much.

STREET LISTINGS
We received the first shipment of the Annual Street Listings based on the 2017 Census data we gathered this year. If you would like a copy, there is a $15.00 charge. You may purchase at town hall or online at https://www.invoicecloud.com/rehobothgovsvcs and click on Street Listings.

NON-RESPONDENTS TO ANNUAL TOWN CENSUS
If you have not responded to the census, your voter status will change to inactive unless you return the signed confirmation card stating that you still live in the Town of Rehoboth. Individuals that are on the Inactive List (those who do not return our acknowledgement card or that have not answered our annual town census) will need to provide proof of continuous residency before being allowed to vote in any federal, state, or town election and/or town meeting. We still have 159 households that have not responded to our 2016 town census. Non-Respondent Households in Precinct I = 45, Precinct II = 57 and Precinct III = 57.

BUSINESS CERTIFICATES
Business owners are reminded that the application fee for a business certificate and/or business certificate renewal is $50.00 and that your certificate is valid for four years. New business owners must first go to Building Inspector/Zoning Officer, to complete a sign off sheet and then to the Town Clerk’s Office as your final step to be issued a Business Certificate. Information and forms are on the Town Clerk’s website: http://www.town.rehoboth.ma.us/town-clerk/pages/business-certificates

In closing, Lynn and I wish you all a wonderful 4th of July and a happy, healthy, safe, and memorable summer! I look forward to chatting with you again in August.

Sincerely,
Laura & Lynn