From the Town Clerk

Spring is finally here. The buds on the trees are starting to pop along with the flowers. I hope everyone gets out and enjoys this beautiful time in New England. As I always do in my May article, I like to remind folks of the many wonderful trails we have throughout Seekonk. The Gammino Pond Preserve Storybook Trail has just installed a new story for kids to enjoy. Caratunk Wildlife Refuge is another great place to walk trails and bird watch. Thanks to the many folks who cleaned up our trails on Earth Day. Also, thanks to DPW for the Spring clean-up they did on all playgrounds and fields throughout Town. A friendly reminder to dog owners, Massachusetts has a statewide leash law that prohibits having dogs off-leash in public places.

Annual Spring Town Meeting
The Annual Spring Town Meeting will take place 7PM on Monday May 8 at the Seekonk High School Auditorium. Please come out and participate in this very important budget meeting.

2023 Dog License Update
Don’t forget to license your dog(s). It is a Massachusetts General Law to license every year. There will be a $20.00 late fee per dog imposed on license renewals after May 31^st. When getting a dog license please remember to have your current rabies expiration date and rabies tag number.

Memorial Day Parade
The Annual Seekonk Memorial Day Parade will take place Saturday May 27, 2023. It will start at 10am at the Seekonk High School, 261 Arcade Avenue and end at the Seekonk Hurley Middle School, 650 Newman Ave. The Memorial Day Celebration will take place at the conclusion of the parade at the Seekonk Veterans Memorial Park, 410 Newman Ave. The Seekonk Veteran Council is sponsoring hamburgers and hot dogs at American Legion Post 311, 351 Fall River Ave. from 12:00PM-2:00PM. Please come out and show your support, and honor all those who have served our Country.

Yard Sale Permits
If you are thinking about having a yard sale, please be advised you need a yard sale permit. You can get them online at www.seekonk-ma.gov under Department/Town Clerk/Downloadable forms. It is $5.00 per day with a total of four per year. There is also a page outlining the bylaw for yard sale signage. It is not permitted to use telephone poles to post any type of sign.

Water Department Annual Meeting
The Annual Water Department meeting will be held May 9, 2023 6:00pm in the large maintenance garage, 50 Water Lane. Their warrant includes the budget for next fiscal year.

Community Information
The Town Clerk’s office, as well as other departments get phone calls that belong to other town offices. I would like to take the time to give an alphabetical list of the departments in Town Hall and a brief description what they are responsible for. Please keep this listing for future reference.

Assessor’s Office 508-336-2980 – Questions regarding how a property is assessed. Real estate, personal property, vehicle, boat excise tax and farm animal tax. Assess values to commercial, industrial, residential, personal property. Process exemptions for veterans and elderly. Abatements for personal property, real estate and motor vehicles. Measurements of parcels maintained on maps. Maintains deeds from 1966 to present.

Building Department 508-336-2990 – Questions regarding obtaining building, electrical, gas, plumbing and pool permits. Investigates zoning by-law questions and/or violations. 

Collector’s Office 508- 336 2930 – Questions regarding bills and payment of: Real estate and personal property tax bills. Motor vehicle excise tax bills, disposal/trash bills, Municipal Lien and Certificate of Good Standing issued.

Conservation Department 508 -336-2944 – Responsible for protection of Seekonk’s natural resources. Wetland and water resource permits. Questions regarding, development near wetlands and streams, passive recreation. Investigates wetland violations and illegal discharges into storm drains, water bodies and streams. Accepts donations of land for preservation.

Council on Aging/Human Services 508–336-8772 – 540 Arcade Ave. Responsible for GATRA Dial-A Ride Service, senior activities, events and trips. Meals on Wheels, food and fuel assistance

Health Department 508-336-2950 - Oversees all aspects of Title 5, licenses septic installers, engineers, food service facilities, piggeries. Inspects food service facilities, pools, motels, tanning salons, health spas. Investigates tenant-landlord disputes. Investigates potential illegal dumping.

Planning Department 508– 336-2961 – Questions concerning subdivisions, re-zone requests, site plans, zoning by-law revisions, Form A plans.

Parks & Recreation 508–337-877– Field use permits, building use permits, seasonal and family programs.

Public Works 508–336-7407 – Questions concerning trash pick-up, recycling, landfill passes. Maintains town roads and municipal facilities. Tree Warden.

Selectmen/Town Administrator 508-336-2910 – Budget information and purchasing information. Alcoholic beverage licenses, amusement, antique / second-hand, entertainment, selling motor vehicles, vending machine licenses. Personnel/employment information. Town by-law information.

Town Clerk’s Office 508-336-2920 Questions concerning business certificates, dog licensing, voter registration/ election information. Yard sale permits, marriage licenses, census/new resident information. Notary service, Justice of the Peace, raffle and bazaar permits. Seekonk Cemetery, records and deeds. Vital records: marriage, death, birth, genealogical records.

Treasurer’s Office 508–336-2970 – Departmental receipts, tax titles, employee payroll and benefits. Town/School retiree health insurance.

 Veteran’s services 508–336-8772 – Compensation, pension, insurance for veterans. Discharge difficulties. Employment, educational, vocational training. Help with alcoholic/drug treatment, hospitalization and domicile care. At-risk homeless and housing. Gold Star parents. Loan information- SBA and VA. Care of Graves. Advocacy with other government agencies.

Water District 508–761-8170- Questions concerning drinking water usage, quality and bills.

Zoning Board of Appeals 508–336-2961 Appeal of a decision made by building inspector or town official. Special permits and variances.

Town Hall will be closed Monday, May 29, 2023 in observance of Memorial Day. Memorial Day is the day that’s set aside to remember with gratitude and pride all those who served and died for our country and our freedom. Please remember to thank a Veteran.