The position of Town Clerk in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is an ancient and honorable one. The Town Clerk is a bonded town official who has the powers, performs the duties, and is subject to the liabilities and penalties conferred or imposed by the 73 Chapters and 451 Sections of the General Laws of Massachusetts and the By-laws of the Town.

On the State level, the duties and responsibilities fall under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State, Director of Accounts, Attorney General, Division of Fisheries and Game, and Public Works.

On the County level, the jurisdiction is with the County Commissioners and Courts.

The Town Clerk is also the keeper of the records and the custodian of the town seal. The Town Clerk serves in the following capacities:

Registrar of Vital Statistics

Records and preserves birth, marriage, and death records, thereby providing the basis for the Commonwealth’s Central Vital Registration System, serves as Burial Agent for the Board of Health.

Chief Election Official

Oversees all election details, including election officers, preparation of ballots, voting equipment, voting lists, nomination papers, petitions, voter registration, absentee balloting, election results.

Town Meetings

Coordinates Town Meetings with Board of Selectmen and Moderator, records and certifies minutes of Town Meetings and keeps the permanent record.

Licensing and Permit Officer

Issues dog licenses, marriage licenses, hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, raffle permits, burial permits, business certificates, and fuel storage permits.

Posting

Post civil service exams, post and file meeting notices, and post information of general interest to the Town.

Public Records Officer

Administers the oath of office to all elected and appointed members of local committees and boards, inform members in writing of the Open Meeting Law and the Conflict of Interest Law, provides access to public records in compliance with the State Public Records Law, submits by-laws and zoning ordinances to the Attorney General for approval.

Annual Town Census

Conducts the annual Town census and prepares the street list of residents.

Public Information Officer

Responds to inquiries from the general public, frequently serving as facilitator with departments, providing knowledge and assistance in a fair and impartial manner.

Dog Licenses

Available at Town Clerk's office. License applications will be included in your census. A copy of the dog license application is available below.

Click here for a 2011 Dog License Application.

Wrentham's Best Friends

Would you like to have your pet be a part of our Wrentham's Best Friend's? Send us a picture of your dog along with his/her name and we will gladly add it to our poster.

Our Best Friend poster hangs in the hallway near the elevator on the second floor of Town Hall.

Fishing/Hunting Sporting Licenses

Available at Town Clerk's office.

2011 Census Forms

Census forms for 2011 will be mailed to every household in Wrentham in January 2011. Please return as soon as possible so your census and voter information will be up to date.

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Massachusetts, you must:

• be a U.S. citizen,
• be a Massachusetts resident,
• be at least 18 years old on or before the next election.

When registering to vote, you are required to include your driver's license number or the last 4 digits of your social security number on the application. This information will be verified through the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the Commissioner of Social Security. If the information cannot be verified or you do not provide this information, you must provide identification either with the application or at your polling location when you go to vote. Sufficient identification includes a copy of a current and valid photo identification, current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document showing your name and address. Registration forms are avilable at any Town Clerk's office or at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Deadlines for voter registration are 20 days before State Primaries, State Elections, Town Elections, and Annual Town Meetings and 10 days before Special Town Meetings.

Absentee Ballots

For what reasons may people vote absentee? (MGL Chapter 54, Section 86)

Absentee ballots are available only for the following reasons: (a) absence from the city or town during the hours the polls are open; (b) physical disability; (c) religious beliefs which prevent voting at the polls on election day.

Who can vote absentee? (MGL Chapter 50, Section 1 and Chapter 54 Section 103B)

(a) registered voters; (b) an active member of the armed forces or merchant merine, their spouse or dependent; or (c) a person confined in a correctional facility or a jail, except if by reason of felony conviction.

Absentee ballot applications are available at the Town Clerk's office or a voter may apply for a ballot by simply mailing the Town Clerk a request for a ballot with an original signature. All requests must be received no later than 12:00 noon of the day before the election. Ballots may be voted and returned by mail or a voter may make special arrangements to vote over-the-counter in the Town Clerk's office. Please call the Town Clerk for more information.