Announcements
Sterling Veterinary hosts rabies clinic
A rabies clinic will be held at Sterling Veterinary Clinic, 4 Clinton Rd., Sterling, on Saturday, March 17. The cost is $12 per vaccine, cash or check only.
Bring cats in carriers from 9 to 10 a.m., and dogs on leashes from 10 to 11 a.m.
All vaccinations will be documented as valid for a period of one year unless owners provide proof that their pet is currently up-to-date. If owners are able to provide proof that their pet has not missed its due date for revaccination, this rabies vaccine can be documented as a booster and will be valid for three years. Boosters must be administered within nine to 12 months of a pet’s first rabies vaccine.
The Sterling town clerk will be at the clinic to assist people who would like to license their dogs. Due to the Patriots Day holiday on April 16, the deadline to license dogs will be extended this year to Tuesday, April 17.
Contact animal control officer for help with animal control issues
For more information about the rabies clinic or Sterling’s Animal Control Bylaw, or to report any animal control issues from dog bites to loose pets, contact Animal Control Officer Louis Massa at the Sterling Police Station at 978-422-7331.
Volunteers needed for stormwater management planning
The Department of Conservation and Recreation has offered to lead a group of interested individuals from the watershed communities in ongoing discussions and planning related to stormwater management.
If you have an interest in being involved in the planning process to develop a stormwater management program in accordance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and the Clean Water Act, please e-mail lisad@sterlingdpw.com, or call the Department of Public Works at 978-422-6767 ext. 2005.
Holiday curbside trash schedule
The DPW will be closed on Monday, February 20, in observance of Presidents Day. However, trash will be picked up on a regular schedule the week of February 20 to 24. The holiday will not affect the curbside pickup schedule for trash and recyclables that week. Please have your trash and recyclables curbside by 7 a.m. on your regularly scheduled pickup day.
Online grief support articles provide guidance
Miles Funeral Home is proud to offer online grief support articles that provide guidance and direction. “Griefwords” is a series of articles written by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D., an author, educator, and grief counselor. Dr. Wolfelt is known across North America for his compassionate messages about healing and grief.
To access the articles, visit www.milesfuneralhome.com, and select Grief Support Services. The site contains over 60 articles, including Helping Yourself with Grief; Helping Others with Grief; For and About Grieving Children and Teenagers; Funerals, Memorials and Related Topics; and For Hospices and Other Caregivers. If you have questions, call 978-422-0100.
Time for dog licensing, nomination papers, and more
Dog licensing has begun
Dog licensing began on January 1. Due to the Patriots Day holiday, the deadline to license (usually April 15) will be extended to Tuesday, April 17, at 5 p.m. After that date, a late fee of $25 per dog will be charged in addition to the licensing fee. The licensing fee is $12 for intact male or female dogs, and $8 for spayed or altered dogs. The fee is waived for residents over the age of 70, and for state-certified service dogs, but the dogs must be licensed. Dogs must be at least six months old to be licensed. All new residents of Sterling must apply for a dog license within 30 days of establishing residence.
A valid rabies certificate must be provided with the payment to obtain a license. Checks should be made payable to “Town of Sterling.” There are three ways to license your dog: in person at the town clerk’s office during regular business hours; by mail to Sterling Town Clerk, 1 Park St., Sterling, MA 01564; and after hours by using the 24/7 secure drop-off box located outside the Butterick Municipal Building. If you are licensing by mail or the drop-off box, enclose an additional $2 if you would like the town clerk to mail the dog tag to you, or you may pick up the tag at the town clerk’s office.
Animal Control Officer Louis Massa reminds kennel owners that inspections need to be done before licenses are renewed, so plan ahead.
Failure to license a dog may result in a criminal complaint filed at Clinton District Court.
For more information contact Kama Jayne at the clerk’s office at 978-422-8111 ext. 1 or KJayne@Sterling-ma.gov.
Nomination papers now available
Sterling Town Clerk Dawn Michanowicz has announced that nomination papers for candidates for the May 21 Town Election are now available at the clerk’s office. Papers may be drawn prior to Wednesday, March 28, at 5 p.m. For a candidate to be included on the ballot, 39 signatures must be certified by the Board of Registrars by Monday, April 2, at 5 p.m. If a candidate decides not to run for office, the last day to withdraw papers is April 19.
Sterling’s Annual Town Meeting will be held on Monday, May 14.
For more information contact the town clerk’s office at 978-422-8111 ext. 1 or TownClerk@Sterling-ma.gov.
2012 census forms due
The 2012 town census forms have been mailed to residents. Please complete your census form and mail it to the town clerk’s office, or use the 24/7 drop-off box located outside the Butterick Municipal Building. Failure to respond to the census may result in removal from the voting list.
For more information call 978-422-8111 ext. 1, or send an e-mail to TownClerk@Sterling-ma.gov.
State Primary Election
The Massachusetts Presidential Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, March 6. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the gymnasium at Houghton School, 32 Boutelle Rd. February 15 is the deadline to register to vote in this election, or to change your political party, or register at a new address.
Absentee ballot application forms are now available at the town clerk’s office for those who will be out of town on election day.
For more information call 978-422-8111, ext. 1, or send an e-mail to TownClerk@Sterling-ma.gov.
Town clerk’s office hours
The town clerk’s office is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.
On Wednesday, February 15, the town clerk’s office will be open until 8 p.m. for residents who would like to register to vote or conduct any other transactions with the town clerk, such as obtaining a dog license or turning in a census form.
Winter storm reminders from the DPW
In anticipation of the winter season, the Department of Public Works asks residents to remove obstacles from roadways and road edges to facilitate snow removal. The most notable items that impede snow removal operations when they are close to the road edge include portable basketball hoops, lawn and fence stakes, and articles that are within four feet of the edge of the road. The town will not be responsible for damage to obstacles if they are not removed.
Mailboxes should be cleared of snow to improve the visibility of the box for the plow driver.
Town personnel want to keep roads clear as storms progress. When there is a quick succession of storms, pushing back the snow, as well as wing operations, will be required. Every attempt will be made to avoid trash barrels and recycling bins, but please note that it is best to place those containers in your driveway rather than the roadway.
Pushing snow from a homeowner’s property into the road or across a town road is not allowed. Parking vehicles in roadways is prohibited during snow removal operations, and the vehicles are subject to being towed at the owner’s expense.
Once a storm has stopped, please keep in mind that the plow will make two to three additional passes on a street, and this operation can take anywhere from four to six hours to complete.
The DPW appreciates the cooperation of residents.
Residents invited to donate to Neighbor to Neighbor account
Selectmen accepted a donation from Kevin and Marilyn Beaupre on December 7 that will launch a fund to aid residents who have serious financial need. The Beaupres hope that other residents will contribute what they can to make the fund grow.
The fund, called the Sterling Neighbor to Neighbor account, will be under the control of selectmen.
To donate, send a check made out to Sterling Neighbor to Neighbor to Treasurer/Collector, Butterick Municipal Building, 1 Park St., Sterling, MA 01564.
Winter parking ban
The Sterling Police Department has announced that it is unlawful for the driver of any vehicle, other than one acting in an emergency, to park on any street for longer than one hour between midnight and 6 a.m. from November 1 to April 1. There is a $25 fine for violations.