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Welcome to Stow, Massachusetts
Stow Town Seal

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Town Clerk
Contact
Linda E. Hathaway, CMMC *
Town Clerk
Phone:
(978) 897-4514 ext. 1
Fax:
(978) 897-4534
Hours:
Town Clerk's Regular Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday 8 am - 1 pm
Closed daily for lunch 12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Notice:
Hours Week of July 4th
Wednesday - Closed
Thursday - 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Friday - Closed
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Voter Registration

Are you registered to vote? Is the information current? Are you sure?
Be sure to complete a voter registration form if you:
are new to town and would like to vote in future elections
moved to a new address within town
changed your name
want to change parties or unenroll from a party

Voter registration maybe completed at the Town Clerk’s Office during regular business hours, the Registry of Motor Vehicles or via mail. Mail-in forms are available at the  Randall Library, the Stow Post Office, or the Stow Town Building. Call the town clerk’s office if you are unsure of your voter status,  978-897-4514 x1.

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Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballots are available for registered voters who are unable to vote at the polls due to:
absence from town between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day;
a physical disability preventing the voter from going to the polling place;
or religious belief.

A voter must fill out an absentee ballot application prior to receiving an absentee ballot. Please contact the Town Clerk to have an absentee ballot application mailed to you, download the form at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee_ballot.pdf
or pick up a form at the town clerk's office.  If the voter wishes to vote the absentee ballot at the town clerk's office, please call ahead to make arrangements to do so. 978-897-4514 x1
The absentee application must be received before noon the day prior to the election (Monday, November 3rd for State Election) in order to vote absentee in the November election. Once the application
is received the absentee ballot may be voted in the Town Clerk's office or mailed to the voter.

If the absentee ballot is to be mailed to the voter, be sure to submit the application as early as possible and allow at least 3 days to receive it in the mail. Also, be sure to allow enough time to return the absentee ballot to the town clerk's office prior to the close of polls on election day.  If the voter wishes to vote the absentee ballot at the town clerk's office, please call ahead to make arrangements to do so. 978-897-4514 x1

The Secretary of the Commonwealth's webpage has additional information about voting absentee and additional forms http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howabs.htm
Please contact the Town Clerk's office for more information. 978-897-4514 x 1.

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Census/Street List mailing
Stow’s 2009 annual town census/street listing was mailed to all households January 14th. Per Mass. General Law and Stow’s General Bylaws, residents are required to fill out the form and return it to the town clerk’s office within 10 days.  Please include information for all members of the household.  The mailing also included a dog licensing form and a reminder to properly display the assigned street number on one’s home and business.

The data provided by residents is important and helps town officials compile accurate population figures and voting records. The town also uses the data for long-range planning and school assignments.  State and federal funding may be based upon the data provided.

Stow residents who have not received a census form should contact the Stow town clerk’s office and one will be mailed to you. Call 978-897-4514 x1.
Or download a form from the website. See the links in the column to the left of this screen above the Swift Reach icon.

One reason some households do not receive the census form is the household mail is delivered to a post office box and we only have a street address. 
Please be sure to provide us with your correct mailing address. Thank you.

Completed forms should be mailed to the Office of the Town Clerk, 380 Great Rd. Stow, MA 01775-2127.


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2009 Dog Licenses are available.

 Important note:  The 2008 dog licenses expire December 31st and should be renewed by January 31st.


Dog owners are reminded that it is time to license their dogs.  All dogs over six months of age must be vaccinated and licensed within 30 days of the old license expiring (Jan 31st ) or if a new dog, within 30 days of residency in Stow.  Dog licenses are $10 per dog for households with 1-3 dogs.  Households with 4 dogs or more will be issued kennel licenses. Contact the town clerk for fees.  Dog licenses are valid from January 1 - December 31, 2009.   All of the requirements are part of the Animal Control Bylaw, Article 6. Section 7 of the Stow General Bylaws.  Click here for the Animal Control bylaw.

Simply mail a check along with the 2009 request form to the Town Clerk’s Office, 380 Great Road, Stow.  Click here for the dog license request form.

Make the check payable to the Town of Stow, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and current rabies certificate. The new tag and license will be mailed to the owners.

It is important that an up-to date rabies vaccination certificate be on file with the Town Clerk or presented at the time of licensing.    Any applications without the proper fees or a rabies certificates will be returned to the dog owner.   The deadline to license dogs without incurring a twenty-five dollar late fee is April 15th.

A rabies clinic will be held April 2, 2009,  6 p.m. – 8 p.m., at the Stow Highway Barn, 88 South Acton Rd.

Call the Town Clerk's Office if there are any questions,  978-897-4514 x1

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Appointment Authority: Appointed by the Board of Selectmen to a three year term.

Description of Duties:

(Seventy-three chapters and four hundred fifty-one statutes of Massachusetts General Laws direct the Town Clerk's duties.)

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serves as Chief Election Officer, Public Information and Legislative Administrator, and Local Registrar of Vital Records and Statistics (birth, death, and marriages)
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issues marriage licenses, dog licenses and business certificates
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is a member of the Board of Registrars of Voters and is responsible for carrying out the functions of the Board in the preparation, publication, and circulation of voter lists, the annual census and street listing of Stow residents
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and submits all bylaws passed by Town Meeting to the Attorney General for approval


*Certified Massachusetts Municipal Clerk


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Stow Town Building 380 Great Road, Stow, MA 01775
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