Wellesley town clerk notes: Nomination papers, census, dog licenses, voting

From the Wellesley town clerk:

1. Nomination Papers

Offices for town election March 13, 2012 are: 2 Board of Selectmen, 1 Board of Assessors, 1 Board of Health, 2 Library Trustees, Moderator, 2 Natural Resources Commissioners, 1 Planning Board,1 Board of Public Works, 2 Recreation Commissioners, 2 School Committee, Town Clerk. Please call Town Clerk’s office for additional information (781-431-1019 ext 2250).

Nomination papers for Town Meeting Member are also available.  All 240 seats for town meeting will be elected this year. Most precincts need additional candidates as of this notice. Each precinct will elect 30 members. Town Meeting candidates must obtain 10 signatures of voters within the precinct to be placed on the ballot.

2. Annual Town Census

 All residential addresses should have received the 2012 Annual Town Census.  All residents are required to return the census document with any changes as soon as possible.

The bottom portion of the census mailing notifies voters of the new precinct assignments for 2012. Please detach and retain this portion for future reference.

 Return of the census preserves your active voter registration status.  Registered voters should note that the designation “U” in the voter column indicates you are a registered voter who is Unenrolled in any political party, commonly known as Independent.  The column headed “Mail to” indicates the head of household name (typically the oldest resident) as the person to whom census mail is addressed.  Residents can ignore the coding in this field.

Residents who are not voters are also asked to return the census as this record serves as proof of residence for miscellaneous benefits in future years.

3. Dog Licensing

2012 Dog Licenses are now available from the Town Clerk’s Office.  All dogs over 6 months of age are required to be licensed and have a current rabies shot.  Renewal forms were mailed with the census. Residents can also renew licenses through Recreation Department activity registration system.  Register your dog as a family member and sign up for activity 244699-01.   For mail in registrations please enclosed a self addressed stamped envelope for return of your tag and license.  Dog owners are also welcome to obtain licenses in person at the Town Clerk’s office. The deadline for renewal licensing  is April 1, 2012. 

4. Absentee ballots

Voters may file written applications for absentee ballots for both the March 6 Presidential Primary and the March 13 Annual Town Election. Ballots for the primary election will be available in late January and for the local town election in mid February.  A single application can be file for all elections this year if the voter states that on the application. Applications should state the name and voting address of the voter and the address to send the ballot. If the voters is away for a definite period of time please state the dates of the absence from Wellesley.  According to current state law phone and email requests cannot be processed.