From the Town Clerk

Posted Wednesday, July 8, 2020 10:12 am

Hello All ~ Happy July!! OH MY GOODNESS ~ WHAT AN ELECTION!!!! As most of you already know, the April 7, 2020 Annual Town Election was postponed to Tuesday, June 30, 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, State of Emergency, vote of the Board of Selectmen and State Elections approval. Over the past seven (7) years as your Town Clerk, I must admit, this election was the most difficult and stressful that I have ever conducted. My first concern was for our election workers, as most of our election workers fall within the vulnerable “over 60 years of age” category and many of them with underlying pre-existing health conditions. The CDC classified the age group of 60 and older at a higher risk for severe illness. CDC also stated that “severe illness means that the person with COVID-19 may require hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help them breathe, or they may even die.” My goal for the 6-30-2020 election was to keep our election workers healthy and safe while making sure everyone who wanted to vote in the Annual Town Election had the opportunity to do so. We were able to accomplish that goal thanks to all the wonderful voters in Rehoboth ~ thank you!

June 30, 2020 Annual Town Election Statistics
Official certified election results appear below, but the highlights are:

1,396 (15% participation) voters voted in the 6/30/2020 Annual Town Election when most non-debt exclusion/override annual town elections normally receive between 300-800 voters in total (3-8% participation). The only contested race we had this election (due to Ms. Samsel withdrawing her Board of Selectman nomination after the ballots were printed) was School Committee. Four candidates were running for two positions. The last contested School Committee race, without an override/debt exclusion, was April 4, 2016 where we saw a total of 375 voters participating (4.29%) in that election. Comparing this election to the 4-4-2016 election, we saw an increase of 1,021 voters participating in the June 30, 2020 election; we tripled the voter participation with this election.

Due to the Legislature voting Section 1 of Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020 and because of the State of Emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to executive order 591, Declaration of a State of Emergency to Respond to COVID-19 pandemic, Early Voting “by mail only” was voted as an option for voters for the first time ever in Spring Municipal Election history. This allowed all voters wishing to participate in the municipal election, but may be concerned about their health, the opportunity to request a ballot to vote early by mail. In addition, the Legislature approved voters who were concerned about participating in the 2020 municipal elections, due to health concerns, that the COVID-19 pandemic health concerns would be added to the list of reasons for requesting an Absentee Ballot application. As a result, we sent out an Election Mailer on Friday, June 5^th to every household in Rehoboth, informing the voters of the mail-in ballot application options. That election mailer, in addition to the Rehoboth Reporter printing the Absentee and Municipal Mail-In Ballot Applications in the June Reporter at our request, resulted in the mail-in ballot campaign being quite successful. A total of 932 mail-in ballots were received and votes processed for the June 30, 2020 election.

On May 26^th, the Board of Selectmen voted and State Elections approved the reduction of the number of voting precincts (COA-Senior Center Only) and voting hours (12:00* p.m. Noon – 4:00 p.m.) due to 62% of the election workers surveyed not feeling comfortable working the election during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, in addition to the 932 voters who voted by mail, we processed 464 in-person voters who all wore masks and practiced social distancing protocols while voting in the COA-Senior Center ~ thank you all. Between the mail-in ballots we received for the June 30, 2020 election and the in-person voting, we tripled the normal voter participation in an average “single contested race” Annual Town Election ~ thank you all who participated and had your vote counted.

*Many have asked why the hours of 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. for the June 30, 2020 election. Unfortunately, election officials are mandated by Massachusetts General Law (MGL) and State Elections to open the polls no later than 12:00 p.m. Noon on Election day. MGL also requires a minimum of four hours for the polls to be open. To balance the time the election workers would be potentially exposed to the virus with in-person voting and in light of the State voting to allow early voting by mail, the Selectmen and I felt a minimum of four hours would be acceptable for in-person voting. If voters were unable to get to the polling location, they did have the opportunity vote by mail, either Absentee or Early Voting by mail. Prior to the polling hours and locations being reduced, I was also required to send a comprehensive Contingency Plan (41-pages) for the 6-30-2020 Election to State Elections and a Waiver of Election Workers @ Polling Site (12-pages) to the Comonwealth’s Election Division. As a result, the Selectmen and State Elections approved the polling location and hours for the June 30^th election only. Currently there is pending legislation for the September 1^st Primary and November 3^rd Presidential elections. I will update you in next month’s article on what the Legislature voted.

Thank You All
A heartfelt gratitude goes out to Assistant Town Clerk, Lynn Shaker and Administrative Aide, Odete Lacourse who have spent considerable hours, days, weeks, months processing mail-in ballot requests and for assisting with conducting the in-person voting and central tabulating facility for the early voted ballots on June 30^th. All mail-in ballot applications were processed and mailed the same day we received them in our office. For those of you who are unaware of the mail-in ballot application process, there are 17-steps to process a voter’s application when requested, sent and returned. Another 11-steps to process the ballots on election day and another 7-steps after the polls close; total of 35-steps to process one mail-in ballot request; we processed 932. Thank you, ladies, for your continued support, professionalism and dedication!

A huge thank you to Rehoboth Postmaster, Derek Melanson and his postal staff for expediting the processing of the mail-in ballots (to and from the Rehoboth voters). There were times our office would drop off at the Rehoboth Post Office the mail-in ballots that we processed by 9:30 a.m. and voters received that mail-in ballot in their mailbox that same day! That is unheard of – most of the Town Clerks in Massachusetts have been complaining about the poor postal service they have been receiving in their towns/cities during the spring municipal mail-in ballot process this month. Thank goodness we have Derek and his dedicated postal staff, because that definitely is not the case in Rehoboth; we received expedited ballot processing service ~ thank you. On Election Day, Derek drove to the COA twice to deliver all the ballots he received on June 30^th from the mail carriers and when the last postal truck from Providence delivered Rehoboth’s mail. Derek was late to a birthday celebration on the 30^th because he wanted to make sure every voter who mailed in their ballot by the deadline was able to be processed. Thank you Postmaster Derek and the Rehoboth postal staff for expediting the processing of all Rehoboth voters’ mail-in ballots.

Thank you to my faithful and dedicated election workers who said YES they would work the June 30, 2020 election during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have to mention them by name ~ thank you, Warden-Kathy Sullivan; Clerk-Maureen Wittemore; Constables-Mike Deignan and Bill Dalpe; Police Sgt. Norman Todd; our first – “Student” Election Worker-Meghan Hastings; Greeters/Inspectors-Beverly DeBlois and Sandra Phillips; Hallway Inspector-Catherine Potter; Check-In Inspectors-Wendy Wolfe-Cardarelli, Ray Olivier, Charlotte Castro, John Biello, Ken Grant and Odete Lacourse; Ballot Inspector-Jane Daggett; Voting Booth Inspectors-Lucille Amaral, Lorraine Botts and Bonnie Wolfe; Check-Out Inspectors-Eve Viau; Jeanne O’Malley and Ann Sharp; Paper-Voting List Inspectors-Nancy Swallow and Dianne McCaffery. Thank you also, Precinct 1 & 3 Wardens: Bev DeBlois and Wendy Wolfe-Cardarelli and Clerks: Eve Viau & Ken Grant for helping Kathy and Maureen with setting up the three Accuvote scanners before the polls open and tallying at the close of the polls. A HUGE thank you to Lucille Amaral and Gerry Schwall who disinfected each voting booth after each voter completed their ballot and sanitized the bathrooms after each use.

Thank you, Aaron of M&S Cleaning, for disinfecting the COA/Senior Center after the election workers left. Another thank you to Scott Meager and the Ambulance Staff who came in to the Senior Center after M&S cleaned to sanitize and reactivate the disinfectant the next morning with their disinfectant UV-light to kill any germs that may have been left at the COA during the election. Thank you Linna and COA staff for allowing us to use the Senior Center and for working remotely on the 30^th so we could conduct our election. Thank you to Highway for placing the 6-foot social distancing markings inside and outside the COA. Finally, a huge thank you to Derek Rousseau and Gerry Schwall for helping us set up and take down all voting equipment at the COA-Senior Center.

It was a long day for all involved with the election even though the polling hours were reduced. Election workers showed up at 11:00 a.m., processed 464 in-person voters in a four-hour timeframe (12:00– 4:00 p.m.) then processed 458 absentee voter ballots and 474 early voter ballots. Everyone left the COA around 10:30/10:45 p.m.

COVID-19 Protocols for the 6-30-2020 Annual Town Election
When voters arrived at the COA, they were met by two greeters who asked if they had any of the COVID-19 symptoms and if they knew the Precinct number where they usually vote. All voters wore masks or were given a mask if they forgot. Voters had the option of having their hands sanitized or wearing a new pair of gloves courtesy of the Town. Voters maintained a 6-foot distance from the voter in front of them. We were able to program the Poll-Pad check-in to allow voters to go to any poll pad rather than creating a bottle neck at the entrance of the voting area if one precinct had more activity than another. Election workers worked behind a 36” x 36” acrylic germ barrier and received a KN-95 mask, gloves, hand sanitizer and face shield from the Town. Voters moved from the check-in to the ballot table where the voter received a ballot and ballot pen of their own. NOTE: TO THOSE VOTERS WHO RECEIVED A BLACK FLAIR MARKER AT THE POLLING SITE ON 6-30-2020 . . . IF YOU STILL HAVE YOUR BALLOT MARKERS, PLEASE BRING THEM TO THE NEXT TWO ELECTIONS – 9/1/2020 AND 11/3/2020 FOR YOUR USE ONLY ~ THANK YOU J.

Voters marked their ballot, took their ballot and marking pen with them and were directed to the Precinct Check-Out table. Each voter was asked their name and scanned their ballot, exiting through the back of the building. (One way in and one way out.) When the voter finished voting, the voting booth was disinfected and dried prior to the next voter using the voting booth. I can’t thank the election workers and voters enough for following the safety protocols. It was a pleasure to watch democracy in action in the midst of a Pandemic ~ thank you all!!

CONGRATULATIONS ~ SEEKONK TOWN CLERK ~ FLORICE CRAIG and RETIRED SEEKONK TOWN CLERK ~ JANET PARKER
Seekonk held their Postponed Annual Town Election on June 30^th also. They had two-contested races, Selectman and Town Clerk and had almost 10% of their voting population participate. I am happy to learn that incumbent Town Clerk, Florice Craig, was re-elected to her Town Clerk position. I understand two other candidates ran against Florice. Speaking from experience, the Town Clerk’s position is one that requires considerable training prior to being elected. Seekonk is fortunate to have Florice elected for another 3-year term as their Town Clerk. Also, I see congratulations are in order for Retired Seekonk Town Clerk, Janet Parker, who was voted for another three-year term as Assessor. Congratulations Ladies – it is a pleasure working with you both.

CALLING ALL INTERESTED ELECTION WORKERS
I would like to thank the residents who stepped up and completed a talent bank form to become an election worker. Due to the State approving our reduced number of election workers for the 6-30-2020 Election, we did not have them work this election. But I am sure things will be different for the September 1^st Primary and November 3^rd Presidential Election. We will not be able to combine precincts at the COA; voter turnout will be much higher and parking will be an issue. As a result, we will need many more election workers to staff the September and November Elections. Therefore, if you are interested in becoming an election worker, please fill out a Talent Bank Form and submit to the Board of Selectmen’s Office as soon as possible. The Talent Bank form is available on the town website at:

https://www.town.rehoboth.ma.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif4911/f/uploads/talent_bank_form-revised.pdf

I will be holding Election Worker Training for all new election workers sometime in August. If you would you like to be an Election Worker, please check my election worker training PowerPoint and handout materials on the Town Clerk’s page of the town website. To view the PowerPoint, please 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 (available on the town’s website) @

https://www.town.rehoboth.ma.us/sites/rehobothma/files/uploads/talent_bank_form-revised.pdf

and become a part of our wonderful team. Elections usually require 15 hours of your time (6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.); Town Meetings 4-5 hours (6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) of your time. If you are interested, please fill out a talent bank form and send it in to the Board of Selectmen’s Office. More details on the upcoming 2020 election worker training to follow in my August Reporter article.

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. By signing the card, you are 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 who 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. Please check your voter status here:

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/voterregistrationsearch/myvoterregstatus.aspx

If you are listed as “inactive”, please contact our office at 508-252-6502 X-3109 or 3110 ~ thank you.

DOG LICENSES
As you know, all dog licenses were due and payable by April 1^st. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the cancellation of two rabies clinics we have waived the late fee. However, we must make sure all Rehoboth dogs have a valid rabies vaccine. Therefore, we do not know if or when we will be able to have a rabies clinic, so please have your dog vaccinated (if rabies vaccination has expired) and register your dog as soon as possible. You may also register your dog via mail to 148 Peck Street, drop off in the drop box outside of Town Hall or online at:

https://www.invoicecloud.com/rehobothgovsvcs 24/7.

Unfortunately, if we do not receive your dog’s license renewal by August 1^st, we will need to start charging a $15 late fee for each unregistered dog. Spayed/Neutered dogs are $10 each; not Spayed/Neutered are $20 each. If you are over 70 years old, registration fees are waived; however, you still must keep your dog’s rabies vaccinations current and register your dog every year. Thanks so much for renewing your dog’s 2020 license as soon as possible.

STREET LISTINGS
We received the Annual Street Listings based on the 2020 Census data we gathered this year. If you would like a copy, there is a $15.00 charge. You may purchase online at https://www.invoicecloud.com/rehobothgovsvcs and click on Street Listings.

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, Odete and I hope you all had a wonderful 4^th of July and have a happy, healthy, safe, and memorable summer! Please stay healthy and safe, please social distance whenever possible and please wear your masks when you cannot safely social distance. We need to keep Rehoboth healthy and safe for all residents ~ thank you. Thank you also for voting in the 6-30-2020 Annual Town Election. I look forward to chatting with you again in August.

Sincerely,
Laura, Lynn & Odete