Town Clerk

Kevin Balawick - Town Clerk

Contact: 413-339-5520 ext. 103

Hours: Tuesdays 6pm to 8pm or by Appointment

ORDER DOG LICENSES & VITALS ONLINE

News and Upcoming Events:

• Newly elected and appointed officials are required to update their Conflict of Interest (COI) paperwork. The summary can be found below, with the last page needing to be signed and returned to the town clerk. The online training (good for two years) can be found here, and takes about an hour to complete.
• Newly elected and appointed board and committee members must also sign that they have received materials on the state's Open Meeting Laws. Hard copies of both the materials and the form can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office, but are also available digitally below.

The Town Clerk is/does:

• Chief Election Official
  • Responsible for running elections, preparing ballots, absentee balloting, voter registration. Also, for recording all actions of Annual and Special town meetings, special voting sessions before every election and town meeting, and employing sufficient poll workers for the orderly conduct of an election.
  • Prepares, records and reports official election results to the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth.
  • Certifies nomination papers, and serves on the local Board of Registrars. Conducts the annual town census, prepares the street list of residents and school list, and furnishes the jury list to the Office of Jury Commissioner.
• Recording Officer
  • Records and certifies all official actions of the Town, including town meeting legislation and appropriations.
  • Planning and Zoning Board Decisions, signs all notes for borrowing and keeps the Town Seal.
• Registrar of Vital Statistics
  • Records and preserves original birth, marriage, and death records, and providing this information to the Commonwealth’s for the central vital registration system.
• Public Records Officer
  • 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 Law and Conflict of Interest Laws. All elected and appointed officials are sworn to the faithful performance of their duties by the Town Clerk. Each person will receive and be asked to sign an acknowledgement of extracts pertaining to the "Open Meeting Laws", and the "Conflict of Interest Law". The signed acknowledgement is prima facie evidence that each person is cognizant of those laws and should act accordingly. They will also now be required to complete an online training program at www.mass.gov/ethics under Education and Training Resources. This training must be completed within 30 days of appointment or election and every 2 years thereafter.
• Posts Meeting Notices of all Government Bodies.
  • Provides access to public records in compliance with State Public Records Law.
  • Provides certified copies of vital records and assisting in genealogical research for members of the public, and is responsible for maintenance, disposition, and preservation of municipal archival records and materials.
  • Submits bylaws and zoning bylaw amendments to the Attorney General for approval.
• Licensing Officer
  • Issues state licenses and permits: including marriage licenses, county or local licenses, permits and certifications as mandated by statute or bylaw, includes burial permits, business certificates, and dog licenses.
  • Certification of any document or action recorded and filed in the Town Clerk's Office is the responsibility of the Town Clerk.

Please remember when writing or responding, the Massachusetts Secretary of State has determined that e-mail is a public record