2014 Census Coming to a Mailbox Near You

The Town Clerk’s Office will be sending out the 2014 Annual Census by mail during the first part of the New Year.

The Board of Registrars is required by State Statute to verify and update the name, address, age and occupation of all residents 3 years of age and up in preparation for the Annual Street List. The Board is also required under State Statute to prepare a listing of dogs owned by each resident. Compliance with this State Statute provides proof of residence to protect voting rights, veterans’ bonus, housing for the elderly and related benefits as well as providing information for the selection of jurors. The census forms do not register you to vote. If you are a registered voter, failure to answer this annual census may result in the voter’s name being removed from the voting list.

While the Street List is primarily used to update the voting list, statistics on children are taken for the School Committee, providing it with data on current enrollment as well as present and future school population. The Future School Needs Committee uses the annual census information to help project future enrollment and space needs. The Committee requests that parents review the form carefully to ensure each child is reported and all dates of birth are accurate. The police, fire and emergency medical technicians also use the Street list as an aid in the daily performance of their duties as well as other municipal departments. Census takers are asked to respond with Yes or No in the column indicated.

According to the Town Clerk, full and accurate count of all residents is very important for many reasons including the basis for allocation of State and Federal Funds. It is essential that the forms be returned as soon as possible in order to update the census data and compile the annual census reports. Even a few late returns hold up the completion of the new street list, as well as the up-to-date voting list. Follow-up is costly and may include a second mailing, telephone and/or police visitation.

For questions pertaining to the census form or a mail-in voter registration application, call the Town Clerk’s Office for assistance at 781-455-7500, extension 216, 217, 218 or 219. Forms may be returned by mail or hand delivered to the Town Clerk’s Office at 1471 Highland Ave.

The census package also includes a dog license application.

Dog licenses for the year 2014 will be on sale in the Town Clerk’s Office beginning Thursday, Jan. 2. On October 8, 2013 the Board of Selectmen voted to increase the dog licensing fees effective January, 2014 for the first time since 1991. A portion of this increase will be used to help offset the maintenance of the proposed Dog Park.

Licenses are available as follows:

$25 Male/Female dogs

$20 Neutered/Spayed dogs

$50 1 – 4 dogs Kennel licenses

$75 5 – 10 dogs Kennel Licenses

$150 10+ dogs Kennel Licenses

All dogs that are six months of age or older must be licensed annually under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140 and Article 4 of the Town of Needham’s General By-Laws. An updated proof of rabies vaccination is required prior to licensing as well as proof of spaying and neutering.

All dogs must be licensed by April 30 each year.

If you wish to license your dog by mail, send a current proof of rabies vaccination and neutering information along with payment and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Town Clerk’s Office, 1471 Highland Avenue, P. O. Box 920663, Needham, MA 02492.