From the Town Clerk

Hello All ~ Happy February ~ I hope you are staying warm and healthy!   As a friendly reminder, Real Estate Tax Bills were due Thursday, February 1^st.  Payment can be made via mail, drop box outside of Town Hall (340 Anawan Street) or online @ https://www.rehobothma.gov/ .  If paying online, please scroll down to “Online Payments” and then click “Tax Payments” on the Town’s homepage.

2024 Rehoboth Town Census
By now, you should have received your 2024 census form, dog license renewal, 3-5-2024 Presidential Primary info sheet, vote by mail application, Police Code Red flyer, and Ambulance subscription flyer.  If you would like an extra 2024 calendar for you or your family, just call, e-mail our office or stop by Town Hall.  If you did not receive your census mailer, please let us know at 508-252-6502 x-3109 or 3112 or email me TownClerk@RehobothMA.gov. 

I would like to thank the numerous households that quickly reviewed their census data, made any necessary changes, and returned the forms to us ~ thank you all !!!  If you have not returned your census, please take a moment and send it back please.  Census forms were due to our office by January 31, 2024.  This year, residents were afforded the opportunity to drop off their census forms at the outside drop box at Town Hall (340 Anawan Street), fax, mail, or scan and e-mail them in.  We also left census drop boxes around the Town (Town Hall foyer, Bristol-Savings Bank lobby, Blanding Library lobby and the COA Senior Center at Francis Farm).  It is exciting to see that residents can choose the most convenient way to respond to their 2024 Census.  I would especially like to thank those families who processed their census forms and dog tags online.  Our office is processing your census 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 2024 census forms.  Please respond as soon as possible so we do not have to bother you with a phone call ~ thank you.

As an added feature on the 2024 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.  An Unenrolled or Independent voter has the opportunity to choose the Party ballot they wish to vote during a Primary Election.  Many Unenrolled/Independent voters who completed their vote by mail postcard application the State sent or our census vote by mail application did not request a party ballot.  We cannot send you a ballot unless you select a Democrat, Republican or Libertarian ballot type.  By selecting a ballot type for this election, your registered party does not change you from Unenrolled/Independent.  It just lets us know what ballot you would like to view and vote.  Not sure what ballot you would like to request – please check the Town Clerk website – Elections – 3-5-2024 sample ballot to see the candidates listed on all three ballots for the 3-5-2024 Election.

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 would like to register to vote or make a change to the 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-3109, x-3112 or x-3110 or e-mail us at TownClerk@RehobothMA.gov  to request a Mail-In Voter Registration Form.  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, drop off or mail the signed form to us.  To be eligible to vote in the upcoming Presidential Primary Election on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, all voter registrations and/or political party changes must be made no later than 5:00 PM on Saturday, February 24, 2024.   

THE ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION
The Annual Town Election for the Town of Rehoboth will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, with the polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Polling Location for all four precincts is Francis Farm Community Center (27 Francis Farm Road) – Museum building.  If you would like to review the facility and layout of the polling location, please visit the Town Website at:  https://www.rehobothma.gov/home/news/rehoboth-changes-its-centralized-polling-location-francis-farm-community-center-museum  Additional details will be communicated as we get closer to the election.  As always, the Town Website will have updated polling information when available.

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 (340 Anawan Street/Route 118) and must be returned, signed by a minimum of 50 registered voters.  All signed and completed nomination papers are due back to the Board of Registrars at the Town Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. on, or before, Tuesday, February 13^th.

Positions to be elected on the ballot for 2024 are Moderator (one for 1 year), Board of Selectmen (two positions for 3 years), Assessor (one for 3 years), Constable (one for one year) School Committee (two for 3 years), Housing Authority (one for five years), Planning Board (two – one for 5 years and one for 3 years), Park Commission (two - one for 5 years and one for 4 years), Tree Warden (one for 3 years), Town Clerk (one for 3 years) and Water Commissioner (one for 3 years).

The final voter registration date, to be eligible to vote in the Annual Town Election, is scheduled for Saturday, March 23rd from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Prospective voters are reminded that they may also register to vote online at www.RegisterToVoteMA.com , by calling the Town Clerk’s Office to request a Mail-In Voter Registration Form, or download a form @ http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Voter-reg-mail-in.pdf

The Democratic Town Committee Caucus will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2024, at the Blanding Public Library – Goff Memorial Hall, 124 Bay State Road, at 7:00 PM. 

The Republican Town Committee Caucus will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2024, in the Arcade Building at the Francis Farm Community Center – 27 Francis Farm Road at 7:00 PM.  An alternate date/inclement weather date of Tuesday, February 13, 2024 - 7:00 p.m. (Arcade Building), has also been scheduled, at the Francis Farm Complex. 

2024 – ANNUAL RABIES CLINIC
Keep them safe . . . inoculate!  The Annual Rehoboth-Seekonk $15 Dog and Cat Rabies Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, March 16, 2024.  Again, this year the rabies clinic will be held at the Seekonk Public Safety Complex, Route 44 (500 Taunton Avenue), rather than the Seekonk Public Works Department Garage.  The Rehoboth Town Clerk’s Office Staff will be there to renew your 2024 Dog Licenses.  If you would like to help us register the residents for their dog and cat rabies shots, please let us know.  Please check the Town Website for up-to-date Rabies Clinic information at https://www.rehobothma.gov/town-clerk/pages/dog-licenses.  For more details either on the rabies clinic or helping us staff the event, please call 508-252-6502 X-3112, 3109 or 3110 ~ thank you.

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 go to the Tax Collector whereas census forms or dog licenses 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 taxes online you are selecting Tax Payments and for all Town Clerk payments online (Business Certificates, Birth – Marriage – Death Certificates, Genealogy Fees, Raffle Permits, Street Listings and Voter Lists) that you are selecting “Town Clerk Payments” and not Tax Payments.  Please Note:  Effective 1-1-2022 all Dog Licensing online payments, now appears under “Online Permitting” located on homepage of the website @ www.RehobothMA.gov , not Invoice Cloud.  Thank you for your assistance. 

MARCH 5, 2024 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY  – VOTER OPTION GUIDE
The information below outlines the multiple options available to voters to participate in the Presidential Primary Election. Vote by Mail, Vote Early In-Person, or Vote In-Person on Election Day

VOTE IN-PERSON ON ELECTION DAY:  March 5, 2024, Francis Farm Museum Building 7 AM - 8 PM

DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE:  February 24, 2024

VOTE IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING:  February 24, 2024 – March 1, 2024 - Francis Farm – Museum Building – 27 Francis Farm Road

• Saturday, 2/24/2024: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM;
• Monday-Thursday 2/26- 2/29/2024: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM;
• Friday 3/1/2024: 8:00 AM – 12:00PM

VOTE BY MAIL & ABSENTEE VOTED BALLOT DEADLINES · February 27^th at 5:00 PM – All mailed ballot requests must be received by the Town Clerk’s Office by the 5:00 PM deadline.  Voted ballots returned in the secure ballot drop box (340 Anawan St.) must be received by 8PM on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Ballots returned by mail must be RECEIVED by the Town Clerk by 8PM on Tuesday, March 5, 2024

SELECTION OF BALLOT TYPES – (PRIMARY ELECTIONS ONLY)

• In a primary election, a voter who is NOT registered in a political party must choose a party ballot type on the application to vote by mail or in person voting (early or on election day).
• We are unable to process applications for Unenrolled (commonly known as Independent) voters who do not select a party ballot type on their application.
• Unenrolled voters who select a party ballot type do not become registered in that party - they remain Unenrolled/Independent voters.
• Voters who are registered in one of the 3 political parties (Democratic, Republican, Libertarian) MUST take that party ballot and are not given a choice of party ballot type.

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Verify your party enrollment: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx

• Change your party enrollment: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/ (prior to the deadline to register to vote & before applying for a mail in ballot)

VOTE BY MAIL - All registered voters qualify to vote by mail. A single application is available on the back of the Presidential Primary census flyer form, or you can submit the “Vote by Mail Postcard” sent to you by the State.

MASSACHUSETTS 2024 POSTCARD APPLICATION: The Secretary of the Commonwealth is required to mail ALL voters who have not already applied for a vote by mail ballot, a postcard application – this is usually mailed out 45 days prior to state elections. This postcard application will allow you to apply for a vote by mail ballot for all elections this year or for individual elections this year. Postcards arrived in voter mailboxes prior to January 20^th.

Applications can be returned by mail (postage is pre-paid on the post card application mailed to you) or placed in the ballot drop box outside of the Town Offices (340 Anawan Street). A signature is required to process your application. Questions can be directed to TownClerk@RehobothMA.gov 

APPLY EARLY to allow ample time for processing your application and for the postal services to deliver your ballot to you. All mailed ballot requests must be received by the Town Clerk’s Office by the 5:00 PM deadline on February 27, 2024.  Any voter who has returned a vote by mail ballot (or voted early in person) cannot vote on Election Day. 

TRACK YOUR APPLICATION AND BALLOT: http://www.trackmyballotma.com   Please allow at least one week before checking the status of your application and allow a minimum of ten days to receive your ballot from the date of mailing.

RETURN OF VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS: Place voted ballot in the sealed, signed ballot envelope in the postage paid white return envelope and return by U.S. mail or place it in the secure ballot drop box at Town Offices, 340 Anawan Street. All ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on March 5, 2024.

2024 DOG LICENSES
The 2024 Dog Licenses are now available and may be purchased through the Town Clerk’s Office.  Again in 2024, residents will be able to renew their dog licenses online with a Debit/Credit Card or Electronic Check (ACH/EFT).  Those dog owners who registered their dogs on our online dog licensing program “Permiteyes” in 2022 and 2023, know they are able to renew their dog’s license online through the town’s permitting program located on the Town Website @ https://www.rehobothma.gov/home/pages/online-permitting - please look for the Green “Dog Licensing” button and search for your dog’s record.  Instructions on how to use the online permitting program can be found online at: https://www.rehobothma.gov/town-clerk/pages/dog-licenses .

Whether renewing online, via mail, in person, through the outside drop box or census drops around town, dog license applications must be accompanied by a current year rabies certificate (with a vaccination date covering the current licensing year) 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 our office a call and we can tell you how up-to-date our information is, or you can simply search the information on the Permiteyes Dog Licensing program located on the town website:  https://www.rehobothma.gov/home/pages/online-permitting .  Dog owners should note that the license(s) will not be returned unless a stamped, self-addressed envelope is included (the current postage is 63¢ for one dog tag, 87¢ for two or three dog tags and 1.10¢ for four dog tags). 

Reminder, all residents 70-years old or over do not need to pay the $10 or $20 yearly dog licensing fee. As you may remember, I submitted an article at the May 8, 2017 Annual Town Meeting (Article 15) requesting Town Meeting vote to accept MGL CHAPTER 140 SECTION 139(c), which states “No fee shall be charged for a license issued under this section for a service animal as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act or regulations promulgated thereunder. No fee shall be charged for a license for a dog owned by a person aged 70 years or over in a city or town that accepts this provision”.  Town meeting did approve the acceptance of MGL Chapter 140 Section 139 (c), which permits the Town Clerk’s Office to waive dog licensing fees for service animals and for dogs owned by any Rehoboth resident 70 years of age and older.  Proof of rabies vaccinations for each dog and proof of the dog owner’s age (70 or older) is required.  As per Town Counsel, the waiving of fees does not include Kennel Fees.

As a reminder, the Town Offices will be closed on Monday, February 19^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 the Town Clerk’s Office. 

Even though recent weather has been cool, we have been blessed with a warmer than normal winter, with plenty of rain and it is encouraging that the days are getting longer.  Spring is coming soon. Thank you all – please stay healthy and safe!!  I look forward to talking with you in March ~ Laura. Please enjoy your February – Laura, Kerrie & Jenn