Here are the most frequently asked questions collected from across the site...
How Do I Get Information On ...?
Absentee Ballots:
A voter may vote by absentee ballot at the town clerk's office or request that the absentee ballot be mailed to her/him. Either way the voter needs to provide the town clerk with specific information in order to receive an absentee ballot.
An absentee ballot application lists all the required information and it is suggested the voter download the form from the website. If unable to download it, please contact the clerk's office 978-897-4514 x 1 and request that the application be mailed.
Click here for information about who qualifies for an absentee ballot and to down load the absentee ballot application form.
Beach Pass Town Beach:
Every person or family must obtain a beach pass before using the town beach. Passes maybe purchased at the Recreation Department office, 375 Great Road, Town Hall, lower level, or at the town beach during regular hours. Call the Recreation Dept. for more info, 978-461-1411. Registration Form
Resident $50.00 Non-Resident $95.00
Town Beach at Pine Bluff, off Sudbury Road. Open weekends starting Saturday June 13, 2009.
Official opening for weekdays is June 15, 2009.
Lifeguard Supervision Hours: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates:
Vital records are handled through the Town Clerk’s office. Contact the Town Clerk
by calling 978-897-4514 x1, to confirm that the records are filed in Stow. Download the Request for Information form. Fill out the information for each document requested. Return the completed form to the town clerk with the appropriate fee. Certified copies are $10 for the first copy and $5/per copy for each additional copy ordered at time of initial request. Currently, requests for vital records are completed within 5 business days.
For any of our vital records prior to the 1900's, please call the office to be sure we have the documents and to make an appointment if you wish to view the documents. This is important especially if you are searching for mulitple people or families.
Building Permits:
Building permits are issued through the building department. However, there are several other departments whose requirements have to be satisfied before a permit can be issued. Contact the Building Department for forms. Fill out and return forms to the Building Department. Upon approval and payment of the appropriate fee, the permit will be issued.
Burials: Brookside Cemetery
To arrange a grave opening for a burial, please call 978-461-1403 and leave a message on the Cemetery Committee's office voice mail. Please leave your name, telephone number, date and time needed, and the family name and/or plot number and someone will return your call. |
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Burning Permits:
A permit for burning brush can be obtained by applying in person at the Fire Department. It is necessary to have a written permit prior to any open burning. The burning season is January 15th to April 30th. After the permit is issued, it is still necessary to call the Fire Department’s business number at 978-461-1401. Permission to burn will be granted verbally if the Fire Department deems that the weather conditions are appropriate for outdoor open burning. Open burning without
such approval will be considered a violation and may result in a fine.
Business Certificates:
All forms may be obtained from the Office of the Town Clerk and are filed with the Town Clerk’s office. Please call ahead to make an appointment as the application needs to be witnessed by the Town Clerk. Office hours are Monday - Thurs 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. The office is closed for lunch between 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. For a description of the requirements for a Business certificate, download Business Certificate Advisory 8 01
Cemetery- burials for Brookside Cemetery
To arrange a grave opening for a burial, please call 978-461-1403 and leave a message on the Cemetery Committee's office voice mail. Please leave your name, telephone number, date and time needed, and the family name and/or plot number and someone will return your call. |
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Death,Marriage, Birth Certificates:
Vital records are handled through the Town Clerk’s office. Contact the Town Clerk by calling 978-897-4514 x1, to confirm that the records are filed in Stow. Download the Request for Information form. Fill out the information for each document requested. Return the completed form to the town clerk with the appropriate fee. Certified copies are $10 for the first copy and $5/per copy for each additional copy ordered at time of initial request. Currently, requests for vital records are completed within 5 business days.
For any of our vital records prior to the 1900's, please call the office to be sure we have the documents and to make an appointment if you wish to view the documents. This is important especially if you are searching for mulitple people or families.
Deeds:
Property deeds are recorded with the Registrar of Deeds. The records from 1974 to the present may be found on-line at the Registrar's website. Click here to search the Registry's database. Stow is part of South Middlesex County.
Dog Licenses:
2. Fee is $10 per dog for dogs 1-3. Kennel licenses are required for households with 4 or more dogs. *
Contact the town clerk to clarify kennel requirements 978-897-4514 x 1 or check the Animal Control Bylaw.
Click here for the Animal Control Bylaw
3. Up-to-date rabies certificate must be on file at the time of licensing.
*Additional Late Fine of $25 per dog for a dog 6 months old and older , residing in Stow more than 30 days and not licensed by April 15th.
Electrical Permits:
Fire Alarm Permit:
Obtain the Fire Alarm Permit Application by from the Fire Department.. Submit two copies of the form along with design drawings of the alarm system to the Stow Fire Department.
Firearms Licenses:
The forms for applying for a License to Carry or a Firearms Identification card are not currently online. These forms can be obtained from the Stow Police Department on Great Road. You will receive instructions for filling out these forms as well as excerpts from applicable laws.
Fishing Licenses:
Gas Permits:
Hunting Licenses:
Marriage,Birth, Death Certificates:
Vital records are handled through the Town Clerk’s office. Contact the Town Clerk by calling 978-897-4514 x1, to confirm that the records are filed in Stow. Download the Request for Information form. Fill out the information for each document requested. Return the completed form to the town clerk with the appropriate fee. Certified copies are $10 for the first copy and $5/per copy for each additional copy ordered at time of initial request. Currently, requests for vital records are completed within 5 business days.
For any of our vital records prior to the 1900's, please call the office to be sure we have the documents and to make an appointment if you wish to view the documents. This is important especially if you are searching for mulitple people or families.
Marriage License:
Filing a Marriage Intention in Stow is by appointment only due to limited staffing.
* * * * * *
·Both parties must be present to file the intention.
·Mandatory 3 day Wait Period to issue license - Unless a court waiver is obtained
·Filing Fee is $25 - Includes the filing fee ($15) and
1 certified copy of the completed certificate ($10).
·Bring Birth Certificates for both parties.
Mosquito Control/Spraying:
The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP), located in Northborough, Mass. is responsible for investigating resident's complaints about mosquitoes and mosquito spraying in Stow. Complaints about mosquitoes may be registered by calling the CMMCP office at 508-393-3055 between 7 am - 3pm, Monday - Friday. Additional information on CMMCP may be found at www. cmmcp.org.
Motor Vehicle Excise Bills:
Bills are due 30 days after receipt. The first mailing is for all vehicles registered for the entire prior year and is usually mailed during February. Subsequent mailings are for vehicles registered during the prior year and the current calendar year. These bills are mailed as received from the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Passports:
Click here to find the nearest passport acceptance facility to process your application.
Stow does NOT have a passport office.
Plumbing Permits:
Real-estate Tax Due Dates :
The fiscal year for property tax covers the period from July 1 to June 30.
The usual billing dates are:
Quarter |
Issue Date |
Due Date |
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First |
July 1 |
August 1 |
Second |
October 1 |
November 1 |
Third |
January 1 |
February 1 |
Fourth |
April 1 |
May 1 |
If the normal due date falls on a weekend or a holiday, the actual due date is the next business day.
Reporting Possible Pollution:
Have you witnessed someone dumping hazardous materials? Do you have knowledge of an illegal connection to the towns storm drainage system? Have you seen serious soil erosion from a construction site flowing to a surface water body or a town catch basin? If you answered yes to any of these questions download the How to report possible pollution form for all of the necessary contact information.
Roofing Permit:
A building permit is required for a new roof or a re-roof. It is a subset of the standard building permit application.
Contact the Building Department for the form, fill it out and return it to the Building Department. Upon approval and payment of the appropriate fee, the permit will be issued.
School Closings or Delays:
Tax Abatements:
Fill out a motor vehicle abatement form which is available on-line by clicking here
Tent Permit:
Obtain a tent permit from the Building Department by completing the permit application (click here for form). The minimum permit fee is $30. Also submit a certificate of liability insurance and a flame spread rating certificiate from the tent company.
Trash Pickup:
The Town of Stow does not provide trash pickup service. Residents must contract with one of the following trash disposal companies that are licensed to service Stow: (listed in no particluar order)
Allied Waste Services of MA Waste Management of Mass
1-800-442-9006 1-800-545-4560
Mark H. Sullivan & Son Mr. Trashman, LLC
978-343-7634 508-278-6910
Utility Companies that Service Stow:
Gas: NStar 800-572-9300
Voter Registration:
Work Permits for Students:
Students who reside within the Nashoba Regional School District must obtain their work permits from the Nashoba Regional High School main office. This inlcudes students who live within the district, but attend a school outside of the district.
Please click here to link to the District's website and information regarding Youth Employment Laws.
For additional information and summer hours call the high school main office at 978-779-2257.
last updated 9/15/09
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