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IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS DELIVERED TO EVERY MELROSE HOUSEHOLD

Posted on: January 4, 2024 - 6:00pm
Black Mail Box

Important documents were delivered to every Melrose household via the United States Postal Service in January 2024. Among the documents were the annual census, dog license applications, and the 2024 mail-in ballot applications..

Annual City Census

Every Melrose resident received an annual City of Melrose census form to complete and return by April 30, 2024. Not sure how to return the census? Click here.

Completing the annual census impacts the following:

  • Voter registration status.
    • Failure to complete the census could result in an inactive registration of your name, causing a delay on the election day when you show up to vote.
  • The amount of federal and state funding allocated to our City ($).    
    • The size of Melrose’s population determines the size of grants and the amount of funding that Melrose receives from the federal government. Inaccurate population counts could result in inadequate funding which in turn impacts things like funding for our public schools, roads, and other public work projects.
  • Available Services and Resources from Local and Government Agencies:
    • Acquiring an accurate breakdown of the demographics of an area allows your local government to understand the makeup of the community better. This can impact the way the community of Melrose is served and help provide information on how your government and other agencies can adjust their policies, practices, and procedures to better suit the needs of the people in their community.

The census also establishes a person’s legal residence in the City of Melrose and serves as proof of residency to qualify for veteran benefits, in-state tuition at state schools, and more. Censuses will either be delivered directly to mailboxes or distributed by landlords to tenants. If tenants do not receive a census, they are encouraged to contact their landlord.

Dog License Applications

Following the Melrose City Charter, and  Mass General Laws, all dogs over 6 months must be licensed annually by March 15. The City’s Fees remain $20 for Neutered/Spayed dogs and $23 for Intact dogs. If renewed after March 15, 2024, the price increases by $15, to $35 and $38 respectively.

Additional information about the City of Melrose dog license registration process, which is the same for every city and town in the Commonwealth per State law, is available on the City of Melrose website at https://www.cityofmelrose.org/Doglicense2024.

2024 Mail-in Ballot Applications

The mail-in ballot application postcards, which are coming from the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s Election Division as early as January 8, contain an option to request a mail-in ballot for each of the three (3) elections taking place in 2024. Questions about these applications should be directed to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To contact the Secretary, visit  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/elections-and-voting.htm

Questions

Questions about the dog license registration forms can be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at (781) 979-4500 and the email address clerks@cityofmelrose.org. Questions regarding the annual census can be directed to the Elections Office at (781) 978-4125 or email at elections@cityofmelrose.org.