ORANGE — To avoid a broken heart at the annual town election, make sure to register to vote by Valentine’s Day.
Feb. 14 is the final day to register for the election slated for March 6.
Town Clerk Nancy M. Blackmer’s office will be open until 8 p.m. on Feb. 14. Any resident who will be 18 or older on March 6 may register to vote. The town clerk’s office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12:30 to 1 p.m.) on Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.) on Wednesdays. The office will be closed on today and Thursday because the town clerk will be attending a conference.
Voter registration can be completed online at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/. This same site will also inform you if you are already a registered voter.
The annual town election is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the armory at 135 East Main St.
ORANGE — Absentee ballots are now available at the town clerk’s office.
The ballots may be used by a registered voter unable to vote at the polls on the day of the election due to absence from town during normal polling hours, physical disability, or religious belief. Absentee ballot requests must include the date of the election, the voter’s name, the address at which the voter is registered and the address to which the town should mail the ballot. It must also be signed by the voter.
The ballots can also be applied for in person.
ORANGE — Town censuses were mailed to all residents in early January, according to the town clerk.
Town Clerk Nancy M. Blackmer said state law requires that the name, date of birth, occupation, nationality (if not an American citizen), current address and address on Jan. 1, 2016, be obtained from every resident. Failure to respond to the census will result in removal from the active voter list and may result in removal from the voter registration polls. If a voter becomes inactive, he or she will be required to complete an affidavit of continuous residence and show identification with the current resident prior to voting.
The census information is used to project school and public safety needs, certification of residence for in-state tuition, excise tax abatements, veterans’ services and voting status. Completed and signed census forms can be mailed to the town clerk’s office in the envelope provided or dropped off at Town Hall.
ORANGE — Dog licenses for 2017 are available at the town clerk’s office. All dogs 6 months old or older must be licensed by March 31.
Rates are $10 if the animal is neutered or spayed and $20 if not. Proof of neutering or spaying and proof of valid rabies must be presented at the time of licensing.
Licenses can also be obtained online, if the records show the rabies vaccination is current, at townoforange.org.
Failure to license before March 31 will result in a $50 late fee per dog.
If you no longer have your dog, inform the town clerk by calling 978-544-1100, ext. 101.
ORANGE — Members of Ralph C. Mahar Regional School’s Class of 1967 are invited to a planning session at 1 p.m. on Feb. 4.
The session to plan the 50-year reunion will be held at Maureen Riendeau’s home at 820 Carpenter Road in Athol.
Several options have been proposed, and attendees will help determine what type of reunion will occur, and which dates are preferable. Lunch will be provided. Call Riendeau at 978-429-6336 to RSVP.