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Williamstown Ups License Fee, Sets Election DatesBy Tammy Daniels - January 15, 2008
 | | Town Clerk Mary Kennedy |
WILLIAMSTOWN - The price of love - at least the married kind - has nearly doubled in Williamstown.
Starting today, the cost for a marriage license and certificate is a flat $25, up $10. The Selectmen unanimously approved the license hike on Monday night.
The new fee scale is comparable to other cities and towns in the area, said Town Clerk Mary Kennedy, and it's the first increase in the license fee in 17 years.
"Just to put it in perspective, it's $12 to license your dog," she told the Selectmen. North Adams charges $20 for the license and $10 for the certificate, she said.
The flat rate would also make it easier for couples to get their marriage certificates, an official copy of the marriage document marked with the town clerk's seal, Kennedy said.
Under the old formula, a couple would come into the town clerk's office and file an intent to marriage. After the state's mandatory three-day waiting period, they would be issued a license for $10 to be used within 60 days.
The marriage officiant, or "solemnizer," signs and mails the license back to the town clerk. It was then up to the couple to contact Kennedy's office and request the certificate. They would have to come into the office and pay $5 for it.
That was a hassle for couples coming from out of state, usually New York, to get licenses and for the town clerk to have to handle. Under the flat rate, the couple will still come in for the license but the certificate will be made out and mailed to them as soon as the signed license is received.
The town issues about 50 to 60 marriage licenses a year, about half to nonresidents, said Kennedy. The money derived from them stays in the town, she said.
The Selectmen considered waiting for Feb. 1 to implement the new fee - in case someone wanted to get married now to save $10, said Chairman David Rempell - but after some laughter the board approved the new rate to start today.
Election Calendar
Voters will select a full slate of Planning Board members this year. The move to make the board an elected one was decided at last year's town meeting after a number of controversial moves by the Planning Board and the Selectmen, which appoints board members.
There are five open seats on the board, with terms ranging from one to five years; eventually, all the terms will be five years.
Also up for election this year are two seats on the Selectmen, one on the School Committee and two on the library board of trustees. Nomination papers for all seats will be available Feb. 1; they must be returned with the signatures of 28 registered voters by March 25.
The town election is May 13 and town meeting, May 20.
Residents were also reminded that the last day to register to vote or to change party affiliation for the Feb. 5 presidential primary is Wednesday, Jan. 16. Kennedy will keep her office open until 8 that night.
"I would really hope that everybody is registered to participate in what is promising to be an exciting political year," said Rempell.
Other business
- The Selectmen and Town Manager Peter Fohlin complimented the Highway Department on the excellent job its done over the past month. Fohlin reported the department went out 26 times in December to battle a total accumulation of 38 inches - including the inch that fell overnight - toting up 1,000 working hours.
- Fohlin reminded residents to return their town census forms; those who did not receive a form should contact the town clerk's office.
- The Northern Berkshire Solid Waste District has a new Web site.
- Blue, the town's K-9 tracker, "is nearly fully recovered and more pampered than ever," Fohlin. Blue was believed hit by a car last week.
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