From the Town Clerk

Hello All ~ Happy February ~ I hope you are staying warm!   As a friendly reminder, Real Estate Tax Bills were due Friday, February 1^st.  Payment can be made via mail, hand delivery to Town Hall-Tax Collector’s Office, drop box outside of town hall or online @ http://www.town.rehoboth.ma.us.  If paying online, please scroll down to “Online Payments” and then click “Tax Payments” on the Town’s homepage.

THANK YOU REHOBOTH GARDEN CLUB!

In my January Reporter article, I did not thank the Rehoboth Garden Club for placing their beautiful holiday wreath on the front of Town Hall.  My apologies and thank you all for making our holidays so special with your amazing wreaths! 

2020 REHOBOTH TOWN CENSUS

 By now, you should have received your 2020 census form, dog license renewal, Census 2020 informational memo (yellow insert) and our 2020 calendar/town directory.  This year’s calendar features the Hornbine School, which will be celebrating its 175^th Anniversary in 2020.  Hopefully, you find the calendar and town directory a helpful tool.  I would also like to thank the many residents for their kind comments on how useful the calendar and directory are to them throughout the year.  Every household in the Town of Rehoboth received one 2020 Calendar in their Census mailer.  If you would like an extra 2020 calendar for you or your family, just stop by Town Hall and ask Lynn or I for a copy.  I also have extra calendars available at the COA-Senior Center, Police Station, Blanding Library and outside various departments at Town Hall.  If you can’t make it to Town Hall, please call or send me an e-mail and I will make sure you get a copy.  If you did not receive your census mailer, please let me know at 508-252-6502 x-3110 or email me at lschwall@town.rehoboth.ma.us. 

I would like to thank the 2,571 households (over 51%) that quickly reviewed their census data, made any necessary changes, and returned the forms to us.  Again, this year, residents are afforded the opportunity to drop off their census forms at locations around town (Bristol Savings Bank, Blanding Library, COA-Senior Center, and Town Offices), the outside drop box at Town Hall, fax, e-mail, or mail them in.  I would especially like to thank those families who processed their census forms and dog tags online.  It was exciting to see that residents were able to choose the most convenient way possible to respond.  Lynn and I are processing your changes and preparing the documents for our Registrars.  During the months of February/March, the Registrars will begin contacting those residents who have not returned their 2020 census forms.  Please respond as soon as possible so we do not have to bother you with a phone call ~ thank you.

Just a reminder, the census form does not register you to vote or allow you to change your political designation.  We’ve come across many census forms in the past with the party designations crossed out and replaced with something else or a designation added to individuals who are not currently registered to vote.  If you want to register to vote or make a change to party designation, you must complete the appropriate forms as we need your signature to either register you to vote, change your political party affiliation, or remove you from our voter rolls.  This can be done in person, by mail, or online.  Simply call us at 508-252-6502 x-3110 or x-3109 or e-mail us at LSchwall@town.rehoboth.ma.us or LShaker@town.rehoboth.ma.us .  If you prefer to register or change your political affiliation online, please go to www.RegisterToVoteMA.com.  Mail-in voter registration applications are also available @ https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Voter-reg-mail-in.pdf - please complete the application, save it, and e-mail or mail the signed form to us.  In order to be eligible to vote in the upcoming Presidential Primary (Tuesday, March 3, 2020) or the Annual Town Election (Tuesday, April 7, 2020), all voter registrations and/or political party changes must be made no later than 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 12^th (Presidential Primary) or Wednesday, March 18^th (Annual Town Election).   As an added feature on the 2020 Census form, if you are a registered voter, you will note an (A) or (I) under the first column of the census “Voter Status”.  Your political party is listed in the last column “Political Party”.  Under Voter Status, “A” represents an active voter; “I” represents an inactive voter.  Please contact our office as soon as possible if you have an “I” after your Voter Status.  Also, many people seem to be confused with a political party of “U” by their name.  The State considers all “Independent” voters as “Unenrolled”; therefore, the letter “U” appearing in the political party column.  Independent is the same as Unenrolled.  This gives the voter the opportunity to choose the Party ballot they wish during a Primary Election.  The four current “political parties” are Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, and Green Rainbow. 

Town Clerk Online Payments

 As a reminder, we continue to offer the option of a Credit/Debit card or EFT/ACH payment system, available on the town website under online payments and then clicking on “Town Clerk Payments”. This feature enables you to conduct several town business functions online, like processing dog licenses, through the town website @ www.town.rehoboth.ma.us or directly to town clerk online payments by going to https://www.invoicecloud.com/rehobothgovsvcs.  Paying by Debit/Credit Cards or EFT/ACH payments is also available when visiting the Town Clerk’s office. We hope this added feature makes our town services more accessible and convenient for the residents.  In 2019 we had a total of 377 individuals take advantage of our credit card/EFT payment system, which is down 158 transactions from 2018. However, in 2018 we had a lot of online sales going through the Clerk’s Office/Town Website Online Sales due to ticket sales for the 375^th Anniversary Celebration events, which we did not have those online sales in 2019.  The online activity this past year (2019) generated receipts of $8,761.62, which is a decrease of $6,206.96 over 2018, again due to the online sales for the 375^th Anniversary Celebration.  The 2019-$8,761.62 represents receipts for items such as genealogy fees, business certificates, raffle permits, dog licenses, birth/death/marriage certificates, street listings, ZBA application fees and various miscellaneous items related to the clerk’s office. 

 Dog Licenses for 2020

2020 Dog Licenses are now available and may be obtained by mail, online at https://www.invoicecloud.com/rehobothgovsvcs, or at the Town Clerk’s Office. Town Hall hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The licensing fees are as follows:  Male or female dog $20.00, female-spayed or male-neutered $10.00.  If paying by check, please make sure it is made payable to “Town of Rehoboth”.   Dog licenses are due annually by April 1^st.  Whether renewing online, via mail, or in person, dog license applications must be accompanied by a current year rabies certificate (with a vaccination date covering the current licensing year-May 1^st or later) and proof of spay or neuter [if applying for the $10 licensing fee] unless we already have your documentation on file in the Clerk’s Office.  If you are unsure, please give the office a call, and we can tell you how up-to-date our information is.  Dog owners should note that the license(s) will not be returned unless a stamped, self-addressed envelope is included with postage (the current postage is 71¢ for one dog tag, 93¢ for two dog tags and 1.15¢ for three tags).  Since January 2^nd we have processed over 350 of 2,000+ dog licenses, which is on track with last year’s numbers ~ thank you all for submitting so quickly.

 2020 – 7^th ANNUAL RABIES CLINIC

 Keep them safe . . . inoculate!  The 7^th Annual Rehoboth-Seekonk $12 Dog and Cat Rabies Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2020 - 9:00 AM ~ 12:00 Noon @ Seekonk Public Works Department Garage (On the Corner of Route 44 & Lake Street).  The Rehoboth & Seekonk Town Clerks will be there to renew your 2020 Dog Licenses.  For more details, please call 508-252-6502 X-3109 or 3110.

MARCH 3, 2020 – PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

 The Presidential Primary will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 with polls scheduled to be open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.  ALL THREE PRECINCTS WILL BE OPEN. Precinct I is the Town Office Building at 148 Peck Street, Precinct II is the Gladys L. Hurrell Senior Center at 55 Bay State Road, and Precinct III is the South Fire Station at 102 Pleasant Street.  Final date to register to vote for the Presidential Primary is Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Town Clerk’s Office. You may also register to vote at www.RegisterToVoteMA.com 24/7.  To mail in your voter registration application, either download a voter registration form at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Voter-reg-mail-in.pdf or pick up a copy at the COA-Senior Center, Post Office or Town Hall and drop off at town hall or mail to us.  Mailed voter registrations must be postmarked no later than February 12^th and reach our office no later than February 19^th.

Please Note:  There are four different ballot types for the Presidential Primary (Democratic, Republican, Green-Rainbow, and Libertarian).  If you are registered to vote in one of those four parties, you will be required to vote your registered party’s ballot.  If you are an Unenrolled or Independent voter, or any other party affiliation that I have not mentioned, you will have a choice of party ballot to vote.  The election worker will ask what ballot type you prefer (Democratic, Republican, Green-Rainbow and Libertarian) and the election worker will then repeat your ballot choice to the election workers and observers so they may make the ballot choice notation by the voter’s name as required by State Elections.  Many voters are offended by the election worker announcing of their ballot choice.  Please note, we are required by law to do so.  This is done so the proper ballot type is recorded under the voter’s name and reported to the Commonwealth’s Voter Registration Information System (VRIS).

ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS

We currently have the absentee ballots available for the Presidential Primary election.  If you are unable to vote on Tuesday, March 3^rd, you may either come to the Town Clerk’s Office and vote in person or request your absentee ballot to be mailed.  Absentee ballot applications can be found online @ https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee/English-Absentee-Ballot-Application.pdf.

Please make sure you sign your absentee ballot application and indicate the type ballot you are requesting.  As mentioned above, the four ballot types are Democratic, Republican, Green-Rainbow or Libertarian.  If you are registered as a Democrat, Republican, Green-Rainbow or Libertarian, you may only receive your registered party’s ballot.

APRIL 7, 2020 – ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION

The Annual Town Election for Rehoboth will be held on TUESDAY, April 7, 2020 with the polls scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. – ALL THREE PRECINCTS WILL BE OPEN. Precinct I is the Town Office Building at 148 Peck Street, Precinct II is the Gladys L. Hurrell Senior Center at 55 Bay State Road, and Precinct III is the South Fire Station at 102 Pleasant Street.

Nomination papers are now available for any registered voter in Rehoboth wishing to run for election on the Town ballot and who chooses not to seek a nomination through their registered party’s caucus process.  Nomination papers may be picked up by prospective candidates at the Town Clerk’s office and must be returned, signed by a minimum of 50 registered voters, to the Board of Registrars at the Town Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18^th.  If you choose to go through the Democratic or Republican caucus process, the upcoming caucus dates and locations are as follows:

The Republican Town Committee Caucus to nominate candidates for the April 7, 2020 Town Election will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2020 - 7:30 p.m., at the COA - Senior Center – 55 Bay State Road.  In the case of inclement weather, an alternate date of Tuesday, February 25, 2020 - 7:30 p.m., has been scheduled, also at the COA – Senior Center. 

The Democratic Town Committee Caucus to nominate candidates for the April 7, 2020 Town Election will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Blanding Public Library/Goff Hall, 124 Bay State Road. 

Positions to be elected on the ballot for 2020 are Moderator (one for 1 year), Selectmen (two positions for 3 years), Tax Collector (one for 3 years), Assessor (one for 3 years), School Committee (two for 3 years), Planning Board (one for 5 years), Park Commission (one for 5 years), Housing Authority (one for 5 years), and Water Commissioner (two for 3 years).

The final voter registration date to be eligible to vote in the Annual Town Election is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18^th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Clerk’s Office.  Prospective voters are reminded that they may also register to vote by calling the Town Clerk’s Office to request a Mail-In voter registration form.  Registration forms are also available at the COA-Senior Center, Post Office, online @

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Voter-reg-mail-in.pdf,

 or by stopping by the Town Clerk’s Office to fill out the necessary forms in person.  As an added convenience you may also register to vote online 24/7 @

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/ or www.RegisterToVoteMA.com .

ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION - ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS

If you are unable to attend the Tuesday, April 7, 2020 Annual Town Election, applications for absentee ballots are now available and may be obtained from the Town Clerk’s Office.   Absentee ballots are obtained by written request only and must have the voter’s original signature. The deadline for filing absentee applications is Monday, April 6^th at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) for the April 7, 2020 Annual Town Election. Absentee ballot request forms are also available online @ http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee/English-Absentee-Ballot-Application.pdf. Any questions regarding voter eligibility or requests for mail-in voter registration forms may be directed to the Town Clerk’s Office.  To check your voter registration online 24/7, you may also go to:

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx

TOWN HALL MAIL & ONLINE PAYMENTS

Very Important – Please, it is requested that when you send correspondence to any office at the Town Hall, you only include information specific to the department you want to communicate with.  As an example, residents might send in their tax payment along with their census form or dog license.  Tax payments would go to the Tax Collector whereas census forms or dog licenses would go to the Town Clerk’s Office.  By including multiple offices in one envelope, it may delay processing your requests or payments.  Also, there are two separate Online Payment accounts on the Town Website:  Tax Payments and Town Clerk Payments.  Please make sure if you are processing your dog’s license online that you are selecting “Town Clerk Payments” and not Tax Payments.  Thank you for your consideration. 

BUSINESS CERTIFICATES

Business owners whose business certificate will expire during January through June of 2020 should have received a reminder for renewal.  The renewal fee is $50.00 (certificate renewal is good for four years) and checks should be made payable to Town of Rehoboth.  You may now renew online using a debit/credit card or electronic check at

http://www.town.rehoboth.ma.us/town-clerk/pages/business-certificates .

If you have any questions on any of the above items, please feel free to contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-252-6502, X3109 or X3110.

As a reminder, the Town Offices will be closed on Monday, February 17^th in honor of President’s Day.  We hope you enjoy the President’s Day holiday.  Also, a Happy Valentine’s Day to all from Laura and Lynn in the Town Clerk’s Office. 

Even though the weather is cool, it is encouraging that the days are getting longer.  Spring cannot be too far behind. Thank you all – please take care.  I look forward to talking with you in March ~ Laura