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Town Clerk
Town Clerk
Eileen Couture, 1988 � Present (Term expires 2012)
Office & Mailing Address
P.O. Box 276
210 College Highway
Southampton, MA 01073
Office Staff
Ruth Bernier, Assistant
Telephone, Fax & Email
413-527-8392 phone
413-527-8392 fax
Email: townclerk@town.southampton.ma.us
Meetings
N/A
Town Clerk has evening hours every other Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Dates are posted to the Calendar on this website
General Responsibilities and Duties
The Town Clerk is the chief election official. The Clerk supervises voter registration and
absentee balloting, oversees polling places, election officers, and the general conduct of
all elections. The Clerk directs the preparation of ballots, polling places, voting
equipment, voting lists, administers campaign finance laws, certifies nomination papers
and initiative petitions, and serves on the Board of Registrars. The Clerk conducts the
annual town census and prepares the street list of residents.
The Town Clerk is the keeper of the town seal. The Town Clerk attests by signature and
seal to bonds, borrowing, contracts, bylaws, resolutions and any other documents
requiring town certification. The Clerk records and certifies all official actions of the
Town, including town meeting legislation, appropriations, Planning and Zoning Board of
Appeals Decisions. The Clerk provides certified copies of vital records (births, marriages
and death) and conducts genealogical research for members of the public, and is
responsible for maintenance, disposition, and preservation of municipal archival records
and materials.
The Town Clerk is the official keeper of town records. The Clerk administers the oath of
office to all elected and appointed members of local committees and boards and ensures
that all elected and appointed officials are informed of the State�s Open Meeting and
Conflict of Interest Laws. The Town Clerk posts meetings of all governmental bodies.
[All town boards must post their scheduled meetings at least 48 hours prior to the
meeting with the Town Clerk�s Office. For the purpose of convenience the Town Clerk�s
Office maintains a meeting list on the web. However, the �Official� posting board is
located in the Town Hall.] The Clerk maintains records of adopted regulations, bylaws,
oaths of office, resignations and appointments, petitions, publications, budgets, meeting
minutes, and financial statements. The Town Clerk submits bylaws and zoning
ordinances to the Attorney General for approval. The office issues state licenses and
permits, including marriage, dog, and fishing, hunting and trapping. The office also
issues Raffle and Bazaar Permits.
The Town Clerk's Office responds to inquiries from the public, serves as the central
information point for the Town, and is responsible for conducting the Annual Census.
The Town Clerk is an elected position with a three-year term.
Helpful Information:
Elections and Voter Registration Information:
To register to vote, you must:
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Be a Massachusetts resident
- Be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
- Learn how to Register to Vote
- Obtain a Voter Registration Form
- Apply for an Absentee Ballot
- If you are not able to vote on Election Day you may apply for an absentee ballot. This should be done no later then 2 weeks before any given election. You may also vote absentee at the Clerk�s Office in person, however, this must be done no later than 12 Noon on the day preceding the election. For more information you may visit the Secretary of State�s website http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howabs.htm for info or call the Clerk�s Office at (413) 527-8392. (link absentee ballot in pdf)
Business Certificates (DBA)
- In compliance with M.G.L. Chapter 10 Section 5, http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/110-5.htm any person, whether individually, a partnership, or a corporation conducting business under any name other than the complete name of the person or corporation conducting the business, must file for a Business Certificate (or as they are more commonly known, DBA �Doing Business As�) with the Town Clerk�s Office. (link business cert form)
Dog License Application - In compliance with M.G.L. Chapter 140 Section 137, http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/140-137.htm every dog must be licensed after 6 months of age. This application can be mailed or completed at the counter at the Clerks Office. Instructions are included on this application and it is very important that a valid rabies certificate is included.(link dog license app)
Listing of the 2009-2010 Election Schedule (link to pdf schedule of upcoming elections)
Elected Officials- Listing of Federal, State and Local Officials including their contact information. (Coming soon)
| FEE SCHEDULE | |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $3.00 |
| Marriage Certificate | $25.00 |
| Death Certificate | $3.00 |
| Burial Permits | $10.00 |
| Business Certificate | $5.00 |
| Dog Licenses Female or Male | $11.00 |
| Dog Licenses SP. Female, NE. Male | $7.00 |
| Gas Permits | $67.50 |
| Zoning Books Copies | $6.00 |
| Street List | $10.00 |
| Historical Books - On the Manhan | $15.00 |
| Historical Books - Images | $10.00 |
Getting Married? � Here is some helpful information on how to obtain a marriage license.(link to pdf document)
Public Record � (link to pdf document)
Polling Location � Town Hall Meeting Room, 8 East Street. The Annual Town Election is held on the First Monday of May. Still not sure where you vote? You may visit the Secretary of State�s �Where Do I Vote� http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php webpage.
Town Meeting Results - The Town of Southampton has an open Town Meeting form of government. Every registered voter is eligible to participate in the meeting as a voting member. Town Meeting is held annually on the third Tuesday in May at the William Norris Elementary School Gymnasium. You may also view the Warrant HERE once it becomes available. (link the minutes and the warrant [here])
Vital Records Requests - This form can be used to request certified copies of Birth, Marriage and Death certificates. Instructions are included. (form coming soon)
to open the Calendar
