From the Seekonk Town Clerks' Office

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season and wish you all a healthy, and happy new year.

TOWN HALL HOURS FOR JANUARY

Town Offices will be closed to observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 19, 2026.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to acknowledge and think the Rehoboth Garden Club for the beautiful wreaths that decorated our front doorways at Town Hall. It was a lovely addition to our tree lighting ceremony.

We would also like to thank EVERYONE who made the tree lighting ceremony happen. It takes a lot of planning and months of preparation to make this event a success. The lights, decorations, music, vendors, and activities continue to grow every year and it made for a wonderful evening that was enjoyed by many.

ANNUAL CENSUS

The 2026 Annual Town Census will be mailed to all households in January. Please update and/or make any changes to the form, sign, and return it to us within 10 days of receipt. It can be returned by mail, in-person, or by leaving it in the drop box located at town hall.

We are often asked why it is important that you return your census. The information collected is used to prove residency, update voter rolls, veterans’ benefits, birth records, help predict future school enrollment, establish precinct lines, and qualify for state/federal funding.  As per MGL, failure to return the completed Town Census form may result in voters being placed on an “inactive” voting list or being removed from the voting list.  

Please note, completing a census form does not register you to vote. If you are a registered voter, there will be a party affiliation by your name (i.e. D, R, U, etc.). Updates to your party affiliation can be made in person at our office or by going online to https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DOG LICENSING PROCUDURES

The Town Clerk’s Office is now processing dog licensing ONLINE!  Please visit the Town Clerk’s page on the Town of Seekonk website and select “Apply for a Dog License.”

The benefits to online processing include important expiration & renewal reminders that are sent directly to your e-mail, quick & easy payments, communication directly to the Town Clerk’s team regarding the license and ability to print copies of your license any time for doggy daycare, boarding or grooming services. Payments can still be made in-person or by mail, but the licensing process does now require online registration. If you choose to mail your payment and have your license returned by mail, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return.

Fees for licensing: Spayed/Neutered = $10 per dog, Un-Spayed/Un-Neutered = $20 per dog.  Licensing fees are waived for residents over the age of 70, however late fees & violation fines will still apply.

Massachusetts General Law requires dogs to be licensed annually, with proof of current rabies vaccination. SEEKONK DOG TAGS EXPIRE MARCH 31st.  Failure to comply will result in issuance of M.G.L. violation & fine.  If your license remains delinquent after May 31st, late fees of $25 per dog will also apply.

If you have any difficulty completing your application online, please call us and we are happy to walk you through the process over the phone OR you can stop by our office with your valid rabies certificate and we can assist you at our kiosk station.

THE ANNUAL SEEKONK TOWN ELECTION - MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026

Seekonk High School, 261 Arcade Avenue, 7:00AM-8:00PM

Nomination papers for offices up for election are available in the Town Clerk’s office. The deadline to return completed nomination papers to the Town Clerk’s office is Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 5:00PM. You must obtain a minimum of 50 signatures from Seekonk registered voters. A street address (not P.O. Box) is required from each person signing your papers. Please make sure the signatures and addresses are legible, otherwise they cannot be counted.

Elected positions for the April 6, 2026 Annual Town Election

• One seat for the Board of Assessors (3-year term)
• Two seats for The Library Board of Trustees (3-year term)
• One seat for the Planning Board (5-year term)
• One seat for the School Committee (3-year term)
• Two seats for the Select Board (3-year term)
• One seat for Town Clerk (3-year term)
• One seat for Town Moderator (3-year term)
• One seat for the Water Commission (3-year term)

ABSENTEE  AND MAIL-IN BALLOT REQUESTS - MUST BE COMPLETED YEARLY

Absentee ballot applications for 2026 are available in our office or on our website. If you want to be put on the permanent absentee ballot mailing list, please fill out the form and check off "for all elections". If you know you will be out of town for a certain election you can request an absentee ballot for that election only.

This form can be found on the Town Clerk’s webpage at https://www.seekonk-ma.gov/280/Town-Clerk or by calling our office (508) 336-2920.

To qualify as an absentee voter:

• You will be away from your town on Election Day
• You have a religious belief that prevents you from voting at your polling location on Election Day
• You have a disability that prevents you from voting at your polling location
• You are on active military duty
• You are a U.S. citizen living outside the U.S.
• You are requesting an emergency absentee ballot due to hospitalization
• You are currently incarcerated for a reason other than a felony conviction

Reminders

 “I Voted” Sticker Contest is open to all Seekonk students. For any student attending public schools, forms will be given to them by the Superintendent, Principal, or Teacher. For those students who are home schooled or attending private or trade schools, forms will be available in the Children’s Room at the Seekonk Library and Town Clerk’s Office. 

The specifics and deadlines for the contest are as follows:

• Open to all students.
• Must be created by the student.
• No clip art, AI generated, copyrighted images or designs will be allowed.
• Only one entry per student is permitted.
• Designs should not be political or support a particular candidate or party.
• Both sides of the forms must be completed by the student and their parent/guardian.
• All entries can be mailed or dropped off to the Town Clerk’s Office at the Seekonk Town Hall, 100 Peck Street, Seekonk, MA 02771.
• All entries must be received by the Town Clerk’s Office by 5:00 p.m. on January 14, 2026.

A panel of town and school officials (who do not have student(s) attending school) will review all submissions and select one finalist in each grade (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12). The winners for each category will be announced at the February 18, 2026 Select Board meeting* (date subject to change). The winning designs will be printed and distributed to voters at the April 6, 2026 Town Election.

TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE REMINDERS

If you have any questions regarding your taxes, please contact the Tax Collector’s Office at 508-336-2930.

Did you know the Registry of Motor Vehicles issues motor vehicle excise tax bills throughout the year? The majority of bills are issued in February and due in March. If you do not receive your bill by mid-March, please contact the Collector’s Office at 508-336-2930.

Disposal Bills:

• Fiscal Year 2026 disposal bills were mailed on September 18, 2025 and were due October 21^st ($315.00 per unit). Demand notices were mailed November 18^th and were due by December 2^nd. Please contact the Collector’s Office at 508-336-2930, if you have not paid the prior years disposal for an updated balance.

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax:

• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax commitment #6 was issued December 8^th and due January 7, 2026.
• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax commitment #5 is on demand (due by December 22^nd).
• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax 1^st, 2^nd,  3^rd  and 4^th commitments are now with the Deputy Collector (781-944-8504).

Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes:

• Further collection notices will be issued for any unpaid Fiscal Year 2025 balances.
• Fiscal Year 2026 Preliminary Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills were mailed the first week in July.
• The first quarter  payment was due by August 4, 2025 and second quarter was due by November 3, 2025.
• Actual Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills will be mailed at the end of December
• The third quarter will be due February 3, 2026 and fourth quarter will be due May 4, 2026.

As always, please contact us (508) 336-2920 or by email at townclerk@seekonk-ma.gov should you have any questions. Thank you.

~Kristen and Shandra