Town Clerk Update
Hello all,
I have updated some information on the Town Clerk's page. You may have seen some emails with these updates. I just wanted to let you all know that I have mailed the Annual Street Listing today, so within the next week, everyone should receive this. I am asking that this be completed in a timely manner so it does not get lost in the shuffle. This year, the Federal Government will be performing the Federal Census. These serve two separate entities. The Annual Street listing is used locally for a few different things as well as used to secure funding. If you have a home in Tyringham, you are required by law to complete the Annual Street listing. This does NOT affect your voting status in another town, city, or state as this is a local document, mandated by the state. The Federal Census is different. You only want to complete this for your primary residence. I did ask about this at a Census Training this summer, as Tyringham does have multiple dual home owners and was told that we need to assure individuals that the Federal Census needs to be completed where you are a primary resident. Another way to look at this, when completing the Federal Census, this is to be completed where you are a registered voter. I have added information to the Town Website about the Annual Street Listing. You can view this by clicking here.
I have also updated the Dog Licensing Information. You can view this by clicking here, as well as obtain an application from this link. There have been a few updates that I would like to share so that all are informed of these changes. In particular, fines that I feel are important to share. The fee for not licensing a dog is now $50, and the fee for not having a valid rabies certificate is $100. Also, if you are a Massachusetts resident with two homes in Massachusetts, you only need to register your dog in the one community. You should provide the other community a copy of your valid license for their records, should something happen with your dog. If you have a dual residence, and the other being outside of Massachusetts, you need to register your dog in MA as well. Tyringham has low fees for licensing. They are $10 for unaltered dogs and $4 for altered dogs. This is much lower than most communities. The current M.G.L's were copy and pasted to our website on January 2, 2020 to make it easier for you to research this information. You can also go to malegislature.gov to see this information. An application was included in your Annual Street Listing Mailing.
I have also added the Election Calendar to the News and Announcement Section (click here). This link leads you, not only to the election calendar, but other links to make checking your voter registration, registering as Tyringham Voter, and absentee ballot application easier for you. Please remember that this is an “election heavy” year and the first election is upon us. March 3, 2020. If you need an absentee ballot, please send that in as soon as possible. As soon as I get the ballots, I will mail them to those who have applied. I will also be finalizing Early voting hours and publishing this as soon as they are finalized. This calendar was also included in your Annual Street Listing Mailing.
I have also added the Open Elected Positions to the News and Announcement section (click here). If you are interested in serving on one of these Boards, Committees, or Commissions, please contact me so that I can assist you in completing the necessary paperwork. This needs to be done by March 20, 2020. If after this date, you will need to run a write-in campaign. These Open Elected Positions were also included in your Annual Street Listing Mailing.
Lastly, I am looking for staff to assist in Administering Elections. I need the Following:
2 staff for 7 AM to 1:30 PM
4 staff for 1:30 PM to 8 PM
8 staff to count at 8 PM. By having 8 counters, this will ensure counting is completed earlier as the counters will have less ballots to count.
If you are interested in working the local election on March 3, 2020, please contact me at townclerk@bcn.net or call me at 413-243-1749.
Thank you all for your time with this long email. I am open to feedback as well as suggestions on information or content you think would be beneficial to have on the Town Clerk's page, that is pertinant to this role and would benefit other community members to have available.
April Curtin
Tyringham Town Clerk.