Salem Creates Simpler Car Registration

Registering your vehicle in Salem just got a bit more simple.

As of May 23, the Town Clerk's office is a "municipal agent," meaning they are able to complete both the town and state portions of vehicle registrations.

Town Manager Keith Hickey said residents now don't have to wait in one line at the clerk's office, get their town registration completed and then walk over to the adjacent state Division of Motor Vehicles window and potentially wait in line there before getting the state portion completed.

The state portion includes getting the license plate decals, which Hickey said the Town Clerk's office can now handle.

The Salem DMV will be moving to 154 Main Street in the space behind Romano's.

"They'll be moving out of Town Hall in the first week of July," Hickey said.

A $3 convenience fee is being added for registrations done completely by the Town Clerk's office. Hickey said people can still go to the two different locations if they want to avoid the fee.

Car registration renewals are also now available online through the town's website.

Town Clerk Susan Wall said each resident will be assigned a PIN number for the process and from there she said the renewals are "self-explanatory." Only Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments are being accepted for the online renewals, Wall said.

Wall said only renewals can be done online and new registrations still have to be done in person.

After completing the online process, Wall said new registrations will be mailed to the residents.

Elsewhere, the filing period for state offices begins Wednesday and those interested in running for state representative can file at the Town Clerk's office starting Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.

Wall also said Tuesday is the final day people who want to vote in the September state primary can switch parties.

Contact the Town Clerk's office at 603-890-2116 for more information.