From the Clerk's Office

Happy August! We hope you had a wonderful July and are enjoying your summer!  

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sharon St. Hilaire Public Service Award - Since 2011, a community service award has been given in the name of former Seekonk Library Director Sharon St. Hilaire. This award was created to recognize a public employee or community volunteer who has distinguished themselves in serving the citizens of Seekonk over a long duration of time. The nominee should have demonstrated exceptional dedication to community service in one or more of the following areas:

1. Volunteerism & Leadership (examples: led a community clean-up initiative, organized charity drives, mentored youth, or volunteered consistently at local shelters).
2. Positive Community Impact (examples: established a program that improved lives, supported underserved groups, or advocated for community improvements such as parks, education, or public safety).
3. Innovation in Service (examples: created a unique project addressing a community need or implemented a new method for helping others).
4. Dedication & Commitment  (examples: served the community consistently over several years, or inspired others to join community efforts.
5. Collaboration & Teamwork  (examples: worked with local organizations, schools, or businesses to drive meaningful change or brought people together for a common cause).

If this sounds like someone you know, please consider submitting a nomination form (found on our website) to the Seekonk Library Trust, c/o the Seekonk Public Library, 410 Newman Avenue, Seekonk, MA. 02771. The deadline to submit your nominee is September 15, 2026.

STATE PRIMARY ELECTION - SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
All four precincts will vote at Seekonk High School, 261 Arcade Avenue in the gymnasium. Polling hours are 7:00AM – 8:00PM.

Early Voting Hours will be held in the Select Board Meeting Room on:

Saturday, August 22^:                    11:00AM-5:00PM

Monday, August 24:                7:30AM-4:30PM

Tuesday, August 25:                7:30AM-4:30PM

Wednesday, August 26:           8:00AM-5:30PM

Thursday, August 27:              7:30AM-4:30PM

If you are not already registered to vote, the last day to register to vote for the State Primary is August 22, 2026 at 5:00PM.

Vote-By-Mail and Voter Registration Information
Vote-by-mail application postcards have been mailed to registered voters by the Massachusetts Elections Division. If you would like to vote by mail in the September Primary or State Election, please complete the postcard and return it to the Town Clerk’s Office. Please be sure to complete all required sections and sign the application. Applications that are incomplete or unsigned cannot be processed.

IMPORTANT: If you are registered as UNENROLLED, you must select a political party when requesting a ballot for the State Primary. If you do not select a party, we cannot mail you a ballot.

If you are enrolled in a political party, you may only vote in that party’s State Primary.

Marking Your Ballot
Whether you are choosing to vote by mail or in-person, please FILL IN the oval completely. Do NOT mark an X or only lightly fill in the circle.

If you are voting by mail-in ballot, please be sure you print and sign your name on the manilla envelope before returning it to our office.

Register or Update Your Voter Information
You can register to vote or update your voter registration online by visiting the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Online Voter Registration system at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/.

Their online registration system allows you to:  

• Register to vote
• Update your address and/or party affiliation. It is your responsibility to notify us (in writing) if you change your address.
• Update your name
• Check your registration information - Knowing your precinct and voting status ahead of time will save you time on election day.

REMINDERS FROM THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE
Dog License Reminder - In accordance with Massachusetts Laws, Chapter 140 Section 137, all dogs 6 months or older must be licensed annually and owners must provide proof of a current rabies vaccination.

Dog licenses expired on March 31^st. As of July 27, 1,346 dogs have been licensed for 2026. Effective June 1, a $25 late fee has been added to all license renewals. Failure to comply may result in a by-law citation.

All dog license applications and renewals require online registration. While payments may be made in person or by mail, the registration process must be completed online before the license can be processed.

Town Census Reminder for Non-Respondents - Pursuant to Massachusetts General Law, any registered voter who has not responded to the Annual Town Census/Street List by the first Monday in June will have their voter status changed to inactive.

As of June 1^st, there were 3,395 registered voters who did not return their census forms. If you receive a confirmation postcard, please complete, sign, and return it to us as soon as possible so we can update your census information. Postage is prepaid.

If you believe confirmation cards are unnecessary expense, please note that the Town is required by law to mail them to eligible voters.

Please be aware that if you are listed as an inactive voter, you will be required to provide proof of residency and sign an affidavit of continuous residency before being permitted to vote in an election.

We encourage you to check your voter status through the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Online Voter Registration System at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/.

If you receive a confirmation postcard in error, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office by phone or email at townclerk@seekonk-ma.gov. Your original census form and our confirmation notice may have crossed in the mail.

REMINDERS FROM THE TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE
If you have any questions concerning any of the following, please call the tax collector’s office directly at 508-336-2930.

Did you know the Registry of Motor Vehicles issues motor vehicle excise tax bills throughout the year?  The majority are issued in February and due in March (tax commitment #1-2026). If you have not received your bill by  March 1^st please contact the Tax Collector’s Office at 508-336-2930.

If you no longer have the vehicle, please see the reverse side of the excise tax bill for instructions and provide the information to the Tax Assessor’s Office.

• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax commitment #7 (2025)  is with the Deputy Collector
• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Commitment #8 (2026) is with the Deputy Collector
• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Commitment #1 (2026) is with the Deputy Collector
• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Commitment #2 (2026) is with the Deputy Collector
• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Commitment #3 (2026) was issued June 2^nd and due July 2^nd
• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Commitment $4 (2026) is due August 27^th

FY 26 Disposal Bills were mailed on September 18, 2025 and were due October 21, 2025 ($315.00 per unit). Demand notices were mailed November 18^th and were due December 2^nd. For your updated balance, please contact the collector’s office. 

Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes:

• Demand notices for Fiscal Year 2026 unpaid Real Estate Taxes and Personal Property Taxes were due June 11^th
• Fiscal Year 2027 Preliminary Taxes will be mailed the first week of July, 2026
• The first quarter payment will be due by August 3^rd and the second quarter November 2^nd

If you want to know how much you paid in real estate taxes last year, the information can be found on the Collector’s webpage on the Town’s website under “How Much Did I Pay in Real Estate Taxes Last Year.”

Please note the Tax Collector’s office does not process the Water Department’s bills and cannot accept payments for the Water District. Please mail or drop off your payment to Seekonk Water District, 50 Water Lane, Seekonk, MA 02771

***BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED***

We want to say THANK YOU to the nine residents that were appointed as board/committee members since May. There are still plenty of opportunities to volunteer. Please continue reading for a Please consider volunteering your time and talent to sit on one of our many boards and committees. If you are interested, please complete a talent bank form online at https://www.seekonk-ma.gov/583/Talent-Bank-Form, request one via email at townclerk@seekonk-ma.gov, or pick one up at either the Town Clerk’s Office or Town Administrator’s Office.

Capital Improvement Committee reviews capital project requests and rates/ranks each project based on priority, budget impact, public safety, equipment replacement, efficiency, useful life, cost reduction, benefit to the Town and alignment with the Master Plan.

Commission on Disability researches local concerns of people with disabilities, advises and assists municipal officials to ensure compliance with state/federal laws and regulations that affect people with disabilities, coordinate or carry out programs designed to meet the problems of people with disabilities,  reviews and makes recommendations about policies, procedures, services, activities and facilities as they affect people with disabilities; provides information, referrals, guidance and technical assistance to individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations in all matters pertaining to disability; and coordinates activities of other local groups organized for similar purposes. For more information, please refer to MGL Chapter 40, §8J or contact our office.

Economic Development Committee reviews the Town’s long-term economic development plans and marketing the Town. They also will promote new business development and support existing businesses in Town.

Energy Committee provides advice to the Select Board on policies and programs that may help reduce the town's "carbon footprint.”

Finance Committee oversees and advises on the town's financial matters.

Historical Committee prepares and distributes publications, make recommendations to the selectmen, and helps develop an effective local program for preservation that is based on the needs and desires of our community.

Thank you for taking the time to read the Town Clerk’s Office monthly update. We hope you have a wonderful August! As always, please contact us at (508) 336-2920 or by email at townclerk@seekonk-ma.gov if you have any questions.

~Kristen and Shandra