TOWN CLERK
The following report of the Town Clerk for the year ending December 31, 2003 is respectfully submitted.
The biggest news of the year is that the Town Clerk and staff moved back, the fourth move, to permanent quarters in the renovated Town Hall the week of March 14th. We are extremely pleased with the configuration and cheerfulness of the finished project.
The Town Clerk conducted two elections, the Annual on April 7th and a Special Election on August 11th. The Special was for the Question on Kennel Regulations in the Town of Belmont. Results are elsewhere in this book.
The Annual Town Meeting began on April 28, 2003 was adjourned to April 30, May 5th, June 16th and dissolved on June 17th. There were two Special Town Meetings, one held within the Annual on April 30 and another on November 17th. A summary of the Town Meetings and all election results appear elsewhere in this book with full copy in the Town Clerk’s Office.
All articles sent to the Attorney General were approved.
Births, deaths and marriages were recorded and copies forwarded to the proper agencies.
Certified copies of all recorded vital statistics are available upon request either in person or by mail.
Vital statistics recorded for 2003 with a 2002 comparison.
|
2003 |
2002 |
BIRTHS |
275 |
257 |
DEATHS |
221 |
245 |
MARRIAGES |
114 |
121 |
There were seven sets of twins born to Belmont parents—four sets of males, two sets of females and one set of male/female.
Animal licensing is slowly increasing on a yearly basis with the co-operation of area vets. Receiving copies of rabies certificates gives us the opportunity to contact animal owners to remind them of the animal license law. We licensed 1095 dogs and 697 cats, an increase of 13 dogs and 15 cats over 2002. Animal Control Officer John Maguranis is doing a great job in keeping us informed of possible unlicensed animals enabling us to send letters to the address.
Hunting and Fishing License sales continue to be popular in the spring and fall. The first nice day brings in the sportsmen. Several surrounding towns are no longer providing this service; therefore, we are fortunate to pick up their clientele.
All of the licenses required by businesses in Town continue to be issued and renewal notices sent. The business certificates have seen a surge listing “Consultant” signifying a home based office. In order to receive a Business Certificate for this type of business the applicant must first get a Home Occupation Permit from the Office of Community Development; therefore both departments are increasing revenue. The Town Clerk’s office issues several types of licenses both over the counter and by mail.
Receipts of the Town Clerk’s office for 2003 are as follows:
DOG FEES |
$9,935.25 |
CAT FEES |
$4,979.00 |
SPORTING FEES |
$202.10 |
MARRIAGE INTENTIONS |
$2,260.00 |
COMMON VICTUALLER LICENSES |
$5.065.00 |
FUEL/GAS PERMITS |
$550.00 |
CERTIFIED CERTIFICATES |
$19,151.78 |
LABELS/DISKS |
$1,669.00 |
VIOLATIONS |
$1,810.00 |
SPORTING HOLDERS |
$2.50 |
BUSINESS CERTIFICATES |
$3,066.15 |
RESIDENT BOOKS/BY-LAW BOOKS |
$1,882.00 |
MAPS/RAFFLES |
$126.00 |
ZONING BOOKS |
$1,063.00 |
STAMPS |
$709.50 |
MONIES SENT TO THE COMMONWEALTH FOR LICENSES |
$3.300.75 |
TOTAL $55,772.03 |
|
MONIES SENT TO THE COMMONWEALTH FOR LICENSES |
$3.300.75 |
TOTAL $55,772.03 |
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We show a loss of $304 in receipts this year to Town Clerk Revenue. With Zoning Books, By-law Books and maps on the website the need to “buy” has diminished.
The census work progressed smoothly with Ellen Lavin, Rose Saviano and Josephine Ferreira opening envelopes, separating forms into precincts and doing computer input. All changes on the forms and returned to the office must be updated. From the final census a list is generated for the School Department, Police Department, Fire Department and Jury Commission. It was with sadness we learned of Josephine’s untimely death in November. She had been with us four years doing census work and animal licensing. We miss her.
One hundred forty six residents took the oath of office for either an elected or appointed position and each was given the Open Meeting Law and Conflict of Interest pamphlet.
The Town clerk’s office continues to be very busy with public contact via telephone and in person. This year 160 residents were issued residency letters for school admission and housing eligibility. The requesting person must be on the census and present the clerk with a Light Department Order in order to prove residency. The usual informational inquiries constitute most telephone calls.
The Town Clerk attended Middlesex Town Clerk meetings as well as Massachusetts Town Clerk conferences in Hancock and Falmouth. She and the Assistant Town Clerk attended classes to become Passport Agents.
We look forward to a challenging 2004!
Respectfully submitted,
Delores A. Keefe, Town Clerk
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