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Notices

This is the place to find information about upcoming events, vacancies on Town Boards and Committees, and general happenings around Town. For meeting information, please see the Calendar section of this website.

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PRESS RELEASE FOR STATE PRIMARY –September 16, 2008

Wednesday, August 27th  will be the last day to register vote for the upcoming
September 16th election.  Registrations sessions will be held from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Town Hall.  You may also register to vote during regular business hours.
                        Monday             8:00 – 7:00
            Tues. Wed. Thursday            8:00 – 4:30
                        Friday                        8:00 – Noon

Anyone who is a citizen of the United States and a resident of Massachusetts and those who will be 18 years old on or before Election Day is eligible to register to vote. Those registering to vote using mail-in registration forms, must have their forms postmarked no later than August 27th  in order to vote in the September 16th  election.
 Because of a new federal law, the Help America Vote Act of 2002 passed by Congress, voters who register for the first time by mail will be required to show identification when they vote for the first time in a federal election.  Those voters may either mail a copy of their identification to their local election office with their voter registration form or they will be required to show it when they vote on Election Day.
 Acceptable identification must include the voter’s name and the address at which they are registered to vote, for example: a current and valid photo  identification, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other document showing the voter’s name and address. 
The Help America Vote Act of 2002 mandates that voters who are required to show identification, but do not,  may only cast a provisional ballot which will be counted later, and only after their eligibility to vote has been determined.
Other voters may be requested to show identification.  Accordingly, it is recommended that all voters bring identification.
Voters will be electing Senator in Congress, Representative in Congress, Councillor, Senator in General Court, Representative in General Court and Register of Probate.
Throughout the state, polls on Election Day are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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Absentee Ballots

 
A registered voter who will be unable to vote at the polls on election day due to:  (1) absent from town during normal polling hours; or (2) physical disability preventing you from going to the polling place; or (3) religious belief, may apply for an Absentee Ballot.
Absentee Ballots have arrived at the Clerk’s Office, you may come into the Town Clerk’s Office and vote now or you may request an absentee ballot be mailed for all elections.
              Monday                            8:00 – 7:00
         Tues. Wed. Thursday                  8:00 – 4:30
                  Friday                           8:00 – Noon

If you have any questions regarding voter registration or voting by absentee ballots, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 978-468-5570.

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Community Preservation Notice

The Hamilton Community Preservation Committee (CPC) will be hosting a public hearing on Thursday, September 11th at 7:30pm in the Memorial Room of Town Hall on to discuss the 2008 Community Preservation Plan.

The CPC is now soliciting input from town staff, municipal boards, including the conservation commission, the historic district commission, the planning board, the board of park commissioners, and other interested residents as part of this study.

Should you have any questions or comments on the plan, please feel free to contact Christine Berry at cberry@hamiltonma.gov.

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TOWN OF HAMILTON
MANDATORY WATER RESTRICTION NOTICE

On June 20, 2008 the streamflow value of the Ipswich River fell below 52.5 cfs for the third consecutive day.  As required under our water withdrawal permit, Hamilton is required to notify residents of the initiation of mandatory water restrictions.

The water restrictions require that residents limit non-essential water use to protect streamflow for aquatic life and to ensure a sustainable drinking water supply.  Non-essential water use is defined to include those uses that do not have health or safety impacts, are not required by regulation and are not needed to meet the core functions of a business or other organization.

ALL MECHANICAL OUTSIDE WATERING IS BANNED

ONLY HAND HELD WATERING BETWEEN 5 PM TO 8 AM

PRIVATE WELL USERS TOO

HOW TO CONSERVE

• Never water during the day.  At least 50% is lost to evaporation.
• Use rain barrels or cisterns to provide water for irrigation.
• Raise the height of your lawnmower to at least 3 ½ inches.
• Ensure water flows to where it can be used by vegetables and plants, not down the street or driveway.
• Do not fertilize your lawn during a dry spell.  Fertilizer forces grass to grow faster and require more water.
• Fix leaky taps and toilets.
• Keep swimming pools covered to prevent evaporation.

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There is a new number to contact for questions regarding the new trash collection program. Please call 978-468-5515, leave a message, and someone will get back to you. Check back to the website as more details will be posted shortly.

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HAMILTON WATER CUSTOMERS

The 2007 annual “Consumer Confidence Report” is published in the Hamilton/Wenham Chronicle just as it has been for the past several years.  This department wants to thank the Chronicle for extending their generosity and assistance in printing this report at no cost to the Town.

Copies of the 2007 annual CCR will not be mailed to individual homes, but are available as of June 25, 2008 at the Department of Public Works office on the second floor of Town Hall, 577 Bay Road, Hamilton, during regular business hours or may be found on our web site at www.hamiltonma.gov under Town Hall Offices-Department of Public Works-Water Department.

2007 Consumer Confidence Report

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Hamilton Veterans Commemorative "Brick" Program

The Phase II Veterans' Honor Role Committee announces the launching of its Commemorative "Brick" Program.Black Granite Pavers, also know as "Bricks", will be avialable to any eteran who has been honorably discharged from the service. Verification of a veteran's status will be required, using DD Form 214 or other comparable documents. Anyone can apply for a "brick" for a veteran who has a connection to the Town of Hamilton.

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Click here to view the proposed list of Korean and Vietnam Veterans from Hamilton. For more information please contact Paul Stelline by e-mail.

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Please Respond to the Census
A Message from the Town Clerk

Reasons to respond to Town Census.

1.  This information helps emergency responders (Police and Fire) to know how many people live at a residence.

2.   It provides the town with student population estimates for the coming year so that they can plan for the number of teachers and busses that will be needed.

3.  If you are a voter and do not respond, you will be made inactive on the voting list.  (At the polls you will need to show ID and fill out the Affirmation of Current and Continuous Residence form before voting.)

4.  It serves as proof of residency which residents need to qualify for veterans benefits (such as Welcome Home Benefit) and in-state tuition at state schools.

5.  It's the law!

****************************************************************************************The 2006 Town Report, Election Report, and Town Meeting Minutes are now available online. They are located on the "Information" page or by clicking here.

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The Census Bureau has begun a new program as part of the Census called the American Community Survey. The goal of the survey is to maintain more accurate information than can be provided by polling citizens every ten years. If you get one of these census documents in the mail, please respond to it. For more information on the program you can visit the American Community Survey web page by clicking here, or view their PDF brochure.

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The final list for Hamilton's World War II Memorial is now available. Click here to view a copy.

During the July 25, 2005 Selectmen's meeting Joanne Patton presented a silver revere bowl to the Town in recognition of the impending 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. The bowl was presented to General George S. Patton, Jr. on June 24, 1945. Mrs. Patton decided that in honor of this occasion she would like to return the bowl to the Town for historical purposes. Click here to read her letter.

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