From the Town Clerk's Office

Summer is finally here! We hope you are able to get out and enjoy it. We want to wish everyone a happy, fun, and safe Fourth of July weekend.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Have you heard about the 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 July 31, 2025.

The award will be presented at a Select Board meeting in the fall

National Night Out - Please join the Seekonk Police Department for their annual National Night Out on Monday, August 5^th from 4:00 PM–8:00 PM at the Seekonk Public Safety Complex, 500 Taunton Ave, Seekonk, MA. It is a fun-filled event that brings community and law enforcement together for a safer, stronger town! This family-friendly event features free food, music, kids’ activities, giveaways, demonstrations, and the chance to meet your local police officers, firefighters, and public safety partners. All ages welcome and admission is free!

SPECIAL ELECTION INFORMATION – July 21, 2025

Polling hours are from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm. at the Seekonk High School, 261 Arcade Avenue

You will be voting yes or no on the following Binding Ballot Question:

Shall the Town of Seekonk be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to pay the costs of the renovation and expansion of the Seekonk Public Library building located at 410 Newman Ave, including the payment of all other incidental and related costs?

Whether you are completing your ballot in-person or by mail, please be sure to FILL IN the circle completely. Do NOT mark an X or only lightly fill in the circle.

Early voting will be offered at Seekonk Town Hall, 100 Peck Street in the Select Board Meeting Room July 14^th through July 17^th during the following hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 7:30AM-4:30PM and Wednesday 8:00AM-5:30AM.

If you are not already registered to vote, the deadline to register is July 11, 2025. Please visit https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/ or www.RegisterToVoteMA.com if you would like 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.

Voters are required to file a new mail-in ballot application or absentee ballot application request every calendar year. If you would like to vote by absentee or mail-in ballot, please complete the correct application and send it into the Town Clerk’s Office. Both applications can be found at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/. If you would like us to mail or email you an application, please contact our office.

You qualify for an ABSENTEE BALLOT if:

• You will be away from your city or 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

IMPORTANT DEADLINES FOR SPECIAL ELECTION – JULY 21, 2025

• Last day to register to vote (if you are not already registered to vote) July 11, 2025
• Last day to request Vote by Mail ballot July 14, 2025
• Last day to request Absentee Ballot July 14, 2025

WE STRONGLY SUGGEST APPLYING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR DELIVERY. THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINES:

“Any mail-in ballot must be requested in writing by 5 p.m. on the 5th business day before the election. Your application can only be accepted if it has reached your local election office by the deadline.”

“Apply as early as possible, especially if your ballot will need to be mailed out of town. The U.S. Postal Service recommends allowing up to 7 days for mail delivery. To ensure you receive your ballot with enough time to mail it back, you should apply 2-3 weeks before Election Day.”

SUMMER HOURS TRIAL PROGRAM AT TOWN OFFICES
The Town of Seekonk is launching a Summer Hours Trial Program to better serve our residents while also providing a more flexible schedule for staff during the warmer months. Beginning June 9, 2025 and running through August 29, 2025, Town Hall and participating departments will adjust their weekly hours to include extended hours Monday through Thursday and early closure on Fridays. Each department will operate on its own modified schedule based on operational needs and staffing. We strongly encourage residents to check individual department hours before planning a visit.

Building Department
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 6:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Wednesday 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed Friday

Health Department
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 6:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Wednesday 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed Friday

Human Services
Monday through Thursday 8:15 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday 8:15 AM to 12:00 PM

Public Works
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Wednesday 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Friday 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Town Hall
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Closed Friday

We want to hear from you! The Summer Hours Community Feedback Survey gives residents, businesses, and visitors an opportunity to share their thoughts on potential adjustments. Your feedback will help ensure any changes meet the needs of our community. The survey is short and will only take a few minutes to complete at https://www.seekonk-ma.gov/forms.aspx?FID=73. Thank you for helping us serve you better!

REMINDERS FROM THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE

Dog Licenses are now past due

As of June 1, dog license renewals are past due. Per MGL Chapter 140 Section 137: All dogs 6 months or older must be licensed annually with proof of a current rabies vaccination. Failure to comply may result in a by-law citation fee. As of June 1^st there will be a $20.00 late fee per dog imposed on license renewals. The license fees are $10.00 for spayed or neutered dogs. $20.00 for un-spayed or un-neutered dogs. If you are late renewing, please remember to add $20.00 per dog to the above fees.

Town Census

We are still updating census data and will be sending out post cards to residents who have not yet returned their census. If you receive this post card, PLEASE mail it back so we can update your census information. Failure to respond to census mailings for two consecutive years will result in the removal from the active voting list and may result in removal from the voter registration rolls. As per Massachusetts General Law, if you have not responded to the yearly census, your voter status must be changed to inactive as of the first Monday in June. Please either mail or drop off  your signed confirmation card to the Town Hall as soon as possible.

REMINDERS FROM THE TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE

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

Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes

• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax 3rd commitment bills were due by June 26, 2025.
• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax 2nd commitment bills were due by June 10, 2025 and are now on demand.
• Motor Vehicle Excise Tax bills 1st commitment bills are past due and are with the Deputy Collector (781-944-8504)

Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes:

• Fiscal Year 2026 Preliminary Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills will be mailed the first week in July
• The first quarter payment is due by August 4, 2025 and second quarter is due by November 3, 2025
• Fourth quarter bills were due by Thursday, May 1, 2025
• Demand notices have been issued for any unpaid Real Estate or Personal Property Taxes and payment was due in full by June 5, 2025

***BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED***

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.

Board of Registrars- the Town Clerk’s Office is in need of two members for the Board of Registrars. The Board of Registrars do not work at the polling location during an election. When needed, a registrar will help our office mail ballots to absentee and vote by mail voters, help us with testing voting machines, and post-election duties such as audits and recounts, when needed.

Capital Improvement Committee-helps provide an impartial perspective for the Select Board and Town Administrator as they develop a balanced budget for the next fiscal year. Capital Projects are defined as projects or assets that cost at least $5,000 and have a useful life of at least 5 years. They review 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 includes participation of people with disabilities to (1) research local problems of people with disabilities; (2) advise and assist municipal officials and employees in ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations that affect people with disabilities; (3) coordinate or carry out programs designed to meet the problems of people with disabilities in coordination with programs of the Massachusetts office on disability; (4) review and make recommendations about policies, procedures, services, activities and facilities of departments, boards and agencies of said city or town as they affect people with disabilities; (5) provide information, referrals, guidance and technical assistance to individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations in all matters pertaining to disability; (6) coordinate activities of other local groups organized for similar purposes. For more information, please refer to MGL Chapter 40, §8J or contact our office.

Cultural Council is a group of interested residents whose purpose is to support community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences.

Economic Development Committee involves in the development and review of the Town’s long-term economic development plans and works on 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"; preserve and enhance Seekonk's environment, natural resources, and quality of life for its residents and businesses; and to provide leadership, education, and outreach to the public.

Finance Committee oversees and advises on the town's financial matters. The committee reviews the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year prior to the Annual Town Meeting. The committee reviews, in detail, all monetary proposals to be brought forward at the Town Meeting and provide recommendations on each article for the benefit of the voters.

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

Parks & Recreation is an advisory committee that works with the Parks and Recreation Coordinator to help gather ideas for new programing. They also help with the development of the town’s acquisitions and recreational areas. The committee, along with the coordinator, holds monthly meetings with the goal of developing diverse services and programs for the community and to promote citizen involvement.

Recycling Committee helps coordinate and implement various sustainability programs in town-including recycling education, food waste composting, reducing waste by switching to reusable products, rain barrels for saving water and reducing flooding, litter patrol for cleaning up our streets, and special recycling programs for hard to recycle products.

Zoning Board of Appeals adopt rules, not inconsistent with the provisions of the zoning ordinance or by-law for the conduct of its business and for purposes of this chapter and shall file a copy of said rules with the city or town clerk.

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

~Kristen and Lorraine