Hello All ~ Happy February ~ I hope you are staying warm and healthy! As a friendly reminder, Real Estate Tax Bills were due Monday, February 3rd. 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.
AWESOME NEWS . . . REHOBOTH HAS A NEW CODIFICATION OF THEIR BYLAWS
As you may remember, when I became Town Clerk in 2013, my goal was to make Town Government more accessible for Rehoboth residents. After several years in the making, I am thrilled to share that Rehoboth now has a new online format to view our General and Zoning Bylaws along with other Town Regulations through General Code’s eCode360. Here is a direct link to the Codification: https://ecode360.com/RE3747
Rehoboth’s Bylaws are now available online in an easy to navigate, efficient and transparent format for all viewers to review 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.
About eCode360®:
eCode360 is an online municipal code platform designed, hosted and updated by General Code, a member of the International Code Council (ICC) family of solutions. This platform provides anytime access to Rehoboth codes and gives users the ability to easily search, archive and share code content as needed. General Code works directly with the Town of Rehoboth, MA to keep its code current and enforceable through regular updates, including the addition of new laws as they are made available by each local municipality.
Let’s get started: – Please go to Rehoboth General & Zoning Bylaws, Board of Health Regulations, Conservation Commission Administrative Regulations and/or Subdivision of Land Regulations by clicking on the link: https://ecode360.com/RE3747
For a quick tutorial on how to Search using Rehoboth’s New eCode 360 website, please use the QR code below or the “eCode360 Search Tips” YouTube link below:
eCode360 Search Tips: https://youtu.be/YP9_9vpGCD0
For a quick navigational tool of Rehoboth’s bylaws, please view the posting under “News & Announcements” on the front of the town website: https://www.rehobothma.gov/ - then click on “News” center of page – then eCode360 OR a direct link: https://www.rehobothma.gov/home/news/exciting-news-%E2%80%93-ecode-360-has-officially-arrived%C2%A0
A more detailed eCode Navigation (printable 10-page PDF) can be found at: https://www.rehobothma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif4911/f/news/help-rehoboth-ecode360_bylaws_online.pdf
Or you can stop by for a quick tutorial. Thank you and please have fun navigating Rehoboth's newly Codified Bylaws and Regulations!!
2025 Rehoboth Town Census
By now, you should have received your 2025 census form, 2025 calendar and departmental listing, dog license renewal, septic safety flyer and Health & Human Services flyer. If you would like an extra 2025 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 4,360 of the 5,865 households that quickly reviewed their 2025 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, 2025. This year, residents were afforded the opportunity to drop off their census forms at the outside drop box at Town Hall (340 Anawan Street), deliver in-person to our office, 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 2025 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 2025 census forms. For the remaining 1,505 households that have not responded to date, please respond as soon as possible so we do not have to bother you with a phone call or a second mailing ~ thank you.
As an added feature on the 2025 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. By selecting a ballot type for this election, your registered party does not change your party status from Unenrolled/Independent. It just lets us know what ballot you would like to view and vote for a particular Primary 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 Annual Town Election on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, all voter registrations and/or political party changes must be made no later than 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
THE ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION
The Annual Town Election for the Town of Rehoboth will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 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) beginning January 2, 2025, 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 11th.
Positions to be elected on the ballot for 2025 are Moderator (one for 1 year), Board of Selectmen (one position for 3 years), Assessor (one for 3 years), School Committee (one for 3 years), Housing Authority (one for five years), Planning Board (one for 5 years), Park Commission (one for 5 years), Constable (three positions for 3 years) and Water Commissioner (two positions for 3 years).
The Republican Town Committee Caucus will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in the Franis Hall Building at the Francis Farm Community Center – 27 Francis Farm Road at 7:00 PM. An alternate date/inclement weather date of Tuesday, February 18, 2025 - 7:00 PM. (Francis Hall Building), has also been scheduled, at the Francis Farm Complex.
The Democratic Town Committee Caucus will also be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at the Blanding Public Library – Goff Memorial Hall, 124 Bay State Road, at 7:00 PM.
The final voter registration date, to be eligible to vote in the Annual Town Election, is scheduled for Saturday, March 22nd from 8AM to 5PM. 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
ABSENTEE & MAIL-IN BALLOT REQUESTS
Applications for absentee ballots are available as of January 2nd and may be obtained from the Town Clerk’s Office or online @
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee/English-Absentee-Ballot-Application.pdf
An absentee ballot may only be obtained by written request and with the voter’s original signature. Most voters do not qualify to receive an absentee ballot to be sent to them. Massachusetts allows voters that QUALIFY to vote by absentee ballot if the voter is one of the following:
If you do not qualify for an “Absentee Ballot”, you can vote by mail by completing the “No Excuse” Vote by Mail ballot application detailed below this paragraph.
NO EXCUSE EARLY VOTING BY MAIL – “VOTE BY MAIL”
The 2022-Votes Act legislation approved in June of 2022, allows voters who do not qualify for an Absentee Ballot to vote by mail by completing the “Vote by Mail” application @
Applications for both absentee and vote-by-mail must be received by the Town Clerk by 5PM on the 5th business day before an election. We recommend applying earlier than the deadline as the US Postal delivery services outside of Rehoboth are not consistent and can range from 2 to 11 days.
2025 – ANNUAL RABIES CLINIC
Keep them safe . . . inoculate! The Annual Rehoboth-Seekonk $15 Dog and Cat Rabies Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2025. Again, this year the rabies clinic will be held at the Seekonk Public Safety Complex, Route 44 (500 Taunton Avenue. The Rehoboth Town Clerk’s Office Staff will be there to renew your 2025 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, that 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.
2025 DOG LICENSES
The 2025 Dog Licenses are now available and may be purchased through the Town Clerk’s Office. Thank you to the 600 dog owners who have already processed their 2025 Dog Licenses!! Again in 2025, 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” 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 69¢ for one dog tag, 97¢ for two or three dog tags and 1.25¢ 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 17th 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.
Hoping for warmer weather soon. Thank you all – please stay healthy and safe!! I look forward to talking with you in March. Please enjoy your February – Laura, Kerrie & Jenn
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here