with the Town Hall closed to the public, we are attempting to address the needs of the public with limited staff working either singularly in the office or remotely. The following items are being addressed in new and unprecedented times.
UPDATES FROM THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE
RELATING TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
With the Town Hall closed to the public, we are attempting to address the needs of the public with limited staff working either singularly in the office or remotely. The following items are being addressed in new and unprecedented times. We hope you will contact us with any questions or concerns at 781-455-7500 x 216.
:The Annual Town Census:
We are working on the 2020 Annual Town Census. The Annual Town Census is conducted every January to update residents, purge the voter list, provide the listing of school-age children for the School Committee, and bring needed funding for our community. If you haven’t returned your town census, please take a minute to look it over, sign and return.
Committee and Boards:
If you are a newly appointed member of a committee or board and need to be sworn in, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office to arrange for a time to be sworn in and receive the Open Meeting Law, Standard of Conflict, and the mandatory online training materials. This will be done by appointment keeping the required six-foot social distance.
Licenses, Business Certificates, Notary Public, Oath of Office:
Marriage Licenses – The law requires a couple to appear together in the Clerk’s Office to file marriage intentions. Because of the COVID 19 Pandemic, the Town Hall is currently closed to the public. Please call the office at 781-455-7500 x 216 to set up an appointment to file your marriage intentions. This will be done keeping the required six-foot social distance.
Dog Licenses /Renewals – All dog must be licensed by April 30th each year or be subject to a $50 fine for an unlicensed dog. Due to the Covid 10 Pandemic and the closure of Town Hall, we are extending the licensing deadline to June 1st. Please either send in your license fee to the Town Clerk’s Office or go online – www.needhamma.gov – Online Bill Payment – Dog Licenses. If you have a problem, please contact us at 781-455-7500 x 216.
Storage of Flammable License Renewals - The renewal notices were mailed on April 10th to those holding a Storage of Flammable License in the Town of Needham.
Business Certificates - Renewal notices will be sent out during the month of April.
Notary Public and Justice of the Peace - If you need the services of a Notary Public or Justice of the Peace, please call for an appointment and this will be done keeping the required six-foot social distance.
Vital Records – If you need a birth, marriage, or death certificate, please either go online to order it - www.needhamma.gov – Online Bill Payment – Vital Records - or send us a check made payable to the Town of Needham for $15. If you are not sure that we have your record on file, please contact us at 781-455-7500 x 216.
ANNUAL ELECTION - TOWN MEETING:
The Annual Town Election has been rescheduled to Tuesday, May 26, 2020 in response to the passage of Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020, "An Act Granting Authority to Postpone 2020 Municipal Elections in the Commonwealth and Increase Voting Options in Response to the Declaration of Emergency to Respond to COVID-19." The Needham Select Board voted on March 27, 2020 to postpone the Annual Town Election scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2020. to May 26, 2020. The Special Voter Registration Session will now be held on Friday, May 15, 2020 with specific hours to be determined.
In light of the recommended practice of social distancing, this law provides for two alternatives to voting in person:
* First, the law allows any person taking precaution related to COVID-19 to vote by absentee ballot by reason of physical disability. Any person may apply for an absentee ballot by either sending a signed request to the Town Clerk’s office or filling out the absentee ballot application available here.
* Second, the law provides for early voting by mail for this election. All applications for early voting ballots must be received by the Town Clerk before noon on Friday May 22, 2020, the last business day before the election. Any person may obtain an early voting ballot by sending a signed request to the Town Clerk’s office or by filling out and returning the early voting application available - <http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/2020-Municipal-Early-Ballot-Application.pdf>. The early voting ballot must be received by the Town Clerk before the polls close 8:00 PM on Election Day (May 26, 2020).
All applications for an absentee and/or an Early vote ballot must be received by the Town Clerk before noon on FRIDAY May 22, 2020, the last business day before the election. All absentee and early vote ballots must be returned by the close of polls on election day.
There are three ways to apply for either an absentee ballot or an early vote by mail ballot:
Fill out an absentee ballot application, sign and send by mail to Town Clerk’s Office, 1471 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492, by Fax to 781-449-1246,or by email to Teaton@needhamma.gov
Thank You and Stay Safe!
Theodora K. Eaton, MMC
Town Clerk
Justice of the Peace
Notary Public
Burial Agent
Primary Records Access Officer
Town of Needham
1471 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
Phone: 781-455-7500 x 216
Fax: 781-449-1246
Email: Teaton@needhamma.gov>
Website: www.needhamma.gov