From the Town Clerk

Posted Friday, February 7, 2025 1:23 pm

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season and wish you all a healthy, and happy new year. Don’t forget your Sweetheart on Valentine’s Day Friday, February 14, 2025.

Reminders for 2025

Town Census Information
The 2025 Annual Town Census was mailed to all households on January 22^nd. Thank you to everyone who have already returned theirs. The clerk’s office has been extremely busy processing them along with processing dog licenses. If you have not returned your town census or dog license application, please do so as soon as possible. Please be sure to update and/or make any changes to the form, sign, and return it to our office by February 28, 2025. It can be returned to us in-person, by mail, or by leaving it in the drop box located at the front entrance of Town Hall.

Why is the census important to be returned? The information that is 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. Failure to respond to the census may result in an interruption in voter status, becoming an inactive voter, and being removed from the active voting list.

What information is not captured in the census? It 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/.

Dog Licenses
Dog license forms were included in the census mailing. Please remember DOG TAGS EXPIRE ON MARCH 31^st. Massachusetts General Law states dogs must be licensed annually, with proof of a current rabies vaccination. Failure to comply may result in a by-law citation fee. You can renew the license in-person or by mail. If you would like to have the dog tag mailed to you, please return your completed form to us along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check made payable to the Town of Seekonk. As a reminder, license fees are waived for residents 70 years of age or older. However, you still need to apply for the license and show the dog is current on their rabies vaccine.

Save the Date - The Annual Seekonk Town Election will be held Monday April 7, 2025. Nomination papers are available in the Town Clerk’s office. The deadline to return completed nomination papers to the Town Clerk’s office is Friday, February 14, 2025 at 5:00PM. If you are not registered to vote, but would like to vote at town election, the deadline to register is March 28, 2025.

To run for an elected position, you must be a registered voter in the town. Candidates must obtain a minimum of 50 signatures from registered voters in the Town of Seekonk. We recommend obtaining more signatures in case some signatures are unable to be verified. If signatures are not legible, they cannot be counted. A street address (not P.O. Box) is required from each person signing your papers.

Elected positions for the April 7, 2025 Annual Town Election

One seat for the Board of Assessors (3-year term)
Three seats for The Library Board of Trustees (3-year term)
Two seats for the Planning Board (5-year term)
One seat for the Planning Board (4-year term)
Two seats for the School Committee (3-year term)
One seat for the Select Board (3-year term)
One seat for the Water Commission (3-year term)

Absentee & Early Voting Ballot Applications request for 2025
Absentee ballot applications are available in our office or on our website (https://www.seekonk-ma.gov/280/Town-Clerk). If you want to be put on the permanent absentee ballot mailing list, please fill out the form and check off "for all elections.” This form needs to be filled out each year.

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

If you do not qualify for as absentee voter, you can complete the vote by mail application which can be found on our website or at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/download/vote-by-mail-applications/vote-by-mail-paper-application-2023.pdf. 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 to be sure it is received in time.

Other Reminders
The Annual 2025 Rabies Clinic, for both dogs and cats, will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Seekonk Public Safely Building Fire Division, 500 Taunton Ave. The attending veterinarian will be Dr. Truesdale, and the fee will be $15 cash only. Please bring proof of current rabies vaccine. All cats and ferrets must be in cages and dogs must be on a leash. The Town of Rehoboth will be joining us.

Motor Vehicle Excise tax 1^st Commitment for 2025 will be mailed in February due in March.

Due dates real estate and personal property taxes.

Third quarter due on Monday, February 3, 2025
Fourth quarter due on Thursday, May 1, 2025
If you have any questions regarding your taxes, please contact the Tax Collector’s Office at 508-336-2930.

Town Hall Hours
Town Offices will be closed to observe Presidents Day on Monday, February 17, 2025.

Daffodils and Crocus will be popping up soon as Spring is only 52 days away arriving on March 20^th. We hope you have a wonderful month. As always, please contact us (508) 336-2920 or by email at townclerk@seekonk-ma.gov if you have any questions. Thank you for taking the time to read the Town Clerk’s Office monthly update.

~Kristen and Lorraine