Town Clerk

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK

The Office of the Town Clerk strives to serve the public as cooperatively and efficiently as possible. The Office of the Town Clerk is the central information location of the Town. We work with all departments in order to provide the residents of Somerset with up to date and helpful information.

The Town Clerk is responsible for a myriad of duties and governed by Massachusetts General Laws. The Town Clerk is the custodian of Town records, the Chief Election Official, the Graves Registrar, the Registrar of Vital Statistics (births, deaths, and marriages), public records officer, and licensing officer.

The vital records in the Town of Somerset date back to its incorporation date, 1790. In addition to vital records, our office also contains records of all Town Meetings, Elections, Zoning decisions, and records of all elected and appointed town officials and employees.

The Town Clerk is responsible for the issuance of Dog Licenses, Sporting Licenses, Raffle & Bazaar Permits, Business Certificates, and Gasoline Storage Permits.  We also maintain the Annual Street Listing (Census) and voter registration list.  The Annual Street Listing (Census form) is mailed out in January to every household.  

As the Chief Election Official, the Town Clerk is responsible for conducting all Local, State, and Federal Elections and reporting results as required by State law. The Town Clerk is also the Clerk of the Board of Registrars and works very closely with the Board to maintain accurate voter registration records.

The Town Clerk also receives and posts meeting notices of all Town Boards & Committees in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. 

Following Town Meetings, the Town Clerk is also responsible for the updating and maintaining of By-laws, and maintaining the acceptance of State Statutes as they are accepted.

The position of Town Clerk is elected to a 3 year term in the Town of Somerset. Currently, I, Dolores Bence, am your Town Clerk. I was appointed at the Acting Town Clerk in March of 2011 and then elected in May, 2011, and subsequently in 2014, 2017, and 2020. I am a Certified Massachusetts Municipal Clerk. I have a total of 35 years of experience working for the Town of Somerset. Along with my Assistant Town Clerk, Kathleen Maiato, and clerical office clerk Caitlin Hadala, we strive to make our office as efficient and helpful to the residents as possible. It is our pleasure to be your link to the past, present, and future of the Town of Somerset.

The Office of the Town Clerk is open Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm.  All walk in services are available!  If you prefer to obtain vital records, dog licenses, voting materials, etc. by mail, please feel free to do so by sending the appropriate fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope and we will promptly return your request.

Please be reminded that voter registration is available on line at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/ as well as through the mail with the below voter registration form.  Anyone who feels they are at high risk, have declared themselves to be “self-quarantined”, are unable to get to the polling location, or will be out of Town on Election Day can apply for an absentee ballot.  

Absentee Ballot Application

Voter Registration Form

Dog Licenses are available February 1st annually.  If you prefer to obtain your dog license by mail, please send the appropriate payment and a copy of the Rabies Certificate, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to our office.  Fee:  $5.00 per dog that is spayed or neutered; $10 per dog if not.  Upon receipt we will mail the license and tag out to you.  

To obtain copies of Birth, Marriage or Death certificates, send the information of the record requested, a self-addressed stamped return envelope, and the fee of $5.00 per certified copy.                     

For all mail services:

Please feel free to call (508) 646-2818 ext. 3, for information on services we can provide.

A drop box is available in the parking lot of Town Hall at the ground level entrance near the elevator lobby to drop of any Town Clerk related materials such as Election applications and ballots, dog license paperwork and fee, census forms, etc.

Respectfully,