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| Have you registered for the school bus for September? Deadline - Thursday, June 18 |
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds will host a special Open House on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street in Dedham Center, to celebrate the release of its latest historical publication, “We Remember America’s 250th Anniversary” Notable Land Records.
This publication marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America and is the fifth volume in the Registry’s ongoing historical series. The booklet highlights notable individuals, places, and events connected to Norfolk County that played an important role in the American Revolution and the birth of the nation.
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| Norfolk Registry of Deeds Celebrates the United States of America’s 250th Anniversary |
Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell noted that the publication continues the Registry’s commitment to preserving history and making it accessible to the public. “History needs to be told, celebrated, and remembered,” said Register O’Donnell. “This booklet recognizes the courage, sacrifice, and contributions of those individuals from Norfolk County who helped shape our nation at its founding and is dedicated to all patriots who, during the American Revolutionary War 250 years ago, laid the foundation for the freedoms and liberties we enjoy today as Americans.”
Members of the public are invited to attend the Open House, where guests will have the opportunity to explore the Registry’s historic Great Record Hall and view displays highlighting the stories featured in the publication. Each attendee will receive a complimentary copy of the booklet.
The event is free and open to the public and reflects the Registry’s ongoing “History Comes Alive” initiative, which uses historical land records and archival materials to share the rich heritage of Norfolk County with residents. The recorded land documents at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds date back to 1793 the year Norfolk County was established.
For more information, please contact the Registry of Deeds at (781) 234-3305 or email registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.
To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives like us on Facebook at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds, or follow us on X at x.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram at instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.
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| Trust Fall Writing® Pop-Up - June 28, 2026 |
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| Exploring Umberto Cesari: A Masterclass in Emilia-Romagna |
With over 20 years’ experience in the wine industry, in roles including wholesale, retail, and supplier side, Roger Warner has extensive knowledge of wine production, from vineyard to glass. Roger has traveled to vineyards and wineries both within the United States and internationally, learning from growers and winemakers along the way. He is passionate about the wine industry and loves to share his knowledge and experience with consumers.
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds will host a special Open House on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street in Dedham Center, to celebrate the release of its latest historical publication, “We Remember America’s 250th Anniversary” Notable Land Records.
This publication marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America and is the fifth volume in the Registry’s ongoing historical series. The booklet highlights notable individuals, places, and events connected to Norfolk County that played an important role in the American Revolution and the birth of the nation.
Norfolk Registry of Deeds Celebrates the
United States of America’s 250th Anniversary
Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell noted that the publication continues the Registry’s commitment to preserving history and making it accessible to the public. “History needs to be told, celebrated, and remembered,” said Register O’Donnell. “This booklet recognizes the courage, sacrifice, and contributions of those individuals from Norfolk County who helped shape our nation at its founding and is dedicated to all patriots who, during the American Revolutionary War 250 years ago, laid the foundation for the freedoms and liberties we enjoy today as Americans.”
Members of the public are invited to attend the Open House, where guests will have the opportunity to explore the Registry’s historic Great Record Hall and view displays highlighting the stories featured in the publication. Each attendee will receive a complimentary copy of the booklet.
The event is free and open to the public and reflects the Registry’s ongoing “History Comes Alive” initiative, which uses historical land records and archival materials to share the rich heritage of Norfolk County with residents. The recorded land documents at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds date back to 1793 the year Norfolk County was established.
For more information, please contact the Registry of Deeds at (781) 234-3305 or email registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.
To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives like us on Facebook at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds, or follow us on X at x.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram at instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.
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| Reminder: Links for the Franklin Public Schools bus registration information |
Dear Norfolk County Residents,
It is that time of the year when local budgets in the 28 communities that make up Norfolk County get voted on. If your town is like my town these are tough budget times. Communities are trying to wrestle with funding budget priorities.
The 28 towns and city that make up Norfolk County are paying almost 8 million dollars to the Norfolk County Commissioners and Norfolk County Government in a yearly tax assessment sent from Norfolk County. It is time for the communities of Norfolk County to examine whether this 8 million dollar county tax is better kept in the local towns to fund their budget priorities.
There has been wasteful costs to the taxpayers as these elected and appointed Norfolk County officials try to justify and defend their illegal and unlawful actions in a number of Massachusetts courts. In Fiscal Year 2024 over $200,000.00 was spent by the Norfolk County Commissioners on legal fees. Just this Fiscal Year 2026 over $159,913.00 has been spent by the Norfolk County Commissioners in legal fees through March 31, 2026 with 3 months to go in the fiscal year. County Director John J. Cronin and the Norfolk County Commissioners have voted and received an additional $50,000.00 for legal monies with their vote on December 10, 2025 and another separate $50,000.00 for legal monies on top of this with their vote on May 6, 2026. Is it time the 28 communities investigate wasteful spending and see what the Norfolk County Commissioners are doing and spending the taxpayers’ money on? After all each of the 28 towns and city of Norfolk County are potentially liable for the debts and liabilities of this Norfolk County Government.
The Norfolk County Commissioners accepted in 2023 10 million dollars for selling the Quincy District Court House. Could your community use any of this 10 (ten) million dollars? After all it was the communities of Norfolk County that built this court house and maintained all these years this court house. Yet the Norfolk County Government did not even ask or offer the local communities to share in this 10 million dollars.
There have been negative findings by independent auditors who have examined Norfolk County’s financial books. On December 15, 2021 Lynch Marini & Associates Inc. Certified Public Accountants wrote “…the County funded mandate was deficient in the range of $197,000.00 to $282,000.00 for fiscal year 2020”. Would your town allow such deficiencies?
The independent auditor Lynch Marini & Associates Inc. Certified Public Accountants reported another audit finding on August 21, 2023 “For the current fiscal year this leaves a potential range of misstatements within the County’s financial statements between $645,000.00 and $2.3 million between respective fund balances (General Fund and Deeds Excise Fund).” Would your town tolerate any such misstatements within your town’s financial statements?
Norfolk County did not like what the certified public accountants Lynch Marini found and reported. However, even the new auditor brought in by the Norfolk County Commissioners, Powers and Sullivan LLC CPAs and Advisors on May 3, 2024 reported a material weakness when they wrote “These large fluctuations indicate that this is a systemic problem in how the accounts are being used and not a one-time error”. Would your town tolerate systemic problems in town financial accounts as well as a material weakness audit finding?
It is well documented the various poor decisions the Norfolk County Commissioners and their County Director John J. Cronin have made when it comes to interfering with the Registry of Deeds and its operations. There has been unsound management by Norfolk County General Government that in this day and age should be striving to be efficient, effective and relevant.
The Norfolk County Commissioners and the County Director John J. Cronin have lost in a number of different courts in litigation involving the Registry of Deeds including a loss in the highest state court in Massachusetts, the Supreme Judicial Court. Norfolk County Government has violated a number of Massachusetts state laws by unlawfully interfering with Registry operations and misappropriating taxpayer public monies designated by state law for Registry use. When elected and appointed officials that run Norfolk County General Government make poor decisions, abuse their power and break the law that should be a signal to the people who live in the communities of Norfolk County to take a closer look at this layer of government.
Sincerely yours,
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| Kindergarten Registration |
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| One of the many charts in this fact sheet |
Dear Friends of the Registry, Registry Stakeholders, and Norfolk County Residents, Spring is here, and as many of us take this opportunity to enjoy the wonderful public spaces our Norfolk County communities have to offer, I wanted to share a bit of background and updated information about the Community Preservation Act (CPA) that you may find of interest.
The Community Preservation Act is the result of more than two decades of work to create legislation that provides all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns with a locally controlled tool to help preserve their unique natural, community, and historic resources in the face of ongoing growth and development.
The CPA allows cities and towns to establish a Community Preservation Fund dedicated to four eligible purposes: the preservation of open space, historic resources, affordable housing, and outdoor recreation. In addition, the law created a statewide Community Preservation Trust Fund, overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR), which provides annual matching distributions to communities that have adopted the Act.
Signed into law on September 14, 2000, the Community Preservation Act has since been adopted by 201 Massachusetts communities. Here in Norfolk County, 19 of our 28 cities and towns have chosen to participate since the Act’s inception. Effective December 31, 2019, CPA recording fees were increased to $50 for most land documents and $25 for municipal lien certificates. At no additional cost to the Commonwealth or to local communities, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds collects these fees at the time of recording and forwards the funds monthly to the Department of Revenue. Those funds are then redistributed directly back to the municipalities that have adopted CPA.
The CPA recording fees are established by the Massachusetts Legislature and apply to land documents recorded here at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. The accompanying chart illustrates the funds generated from each community based on real estate documents recorded during calendar year 2025, demonstrating how local activity helps support preservation projects throughout the Commonwealth and Norfolk County.
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT (CPA)
SURCHARGES BY TOWN FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2025
TOWN | TOTAL | ||
AVON | $32,225.00 | ||
BELLINGHAM | $144,900.00 | ||
BRAINTREE | $225,750.00 | ||
BROOKLINE | $323,375.00 | ||
CANTON | $168,725.00 | ||
COHASSET | $86,275.00 | ||
DEDHAM | $183,975.00 | ||
DOVER | $47,675.00 | ||
FOXBOROUGH | $120,575.00 | ||
FRANKLIN | $233,250.00 | ||
HOLBROOK | $91,700.00 | ||
MEDFIELD | $92,025.00 | ||
MEDWAY | $98,375.00 | ||
MILLIS | $78,300.00 | ||
MILTON | $181,650.00 | ||
NEEDHAM | $222,250.00 | ||
NORFOLK | $92,425.00 | ||
NORWOOD | $165,550.00 | ||
PLAINVILLE | $58,175.00 | ||
QUINCY | $481,850.00 | ||
RANDOLPH | $185,875.00 | ||
SHARON | $113,425.00 | ||
STOUGHTON | $202,350.00 | ||
WALPOLE | $190,775.00 | ||
WELLESLEY | $211,025.00 | ||
WESTWOOD | $114,775.00 | ||
WEYMOUTH | $378,375.00 | ||
WRENTHAM | $97,400.00 |
I hope you find this data informative and helpful in understanding the impact the Community Preservation Act has in allowing cities and towns to ensure that their unique characteristics and assets are preserved for years to come. In the meantime, if I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me at 781-461-6116 or by email at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.
By William P. O’Donnell
Norfolk County Register of Deeds
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| Franklin PorchFest 2026 – Call for Porch Hosts & Bands |
Franklin’s favorite community music festival is right around the corner—and now’s your chance to be part of it!
Whether you’ve been thinking about hosting a band on your porch or driveway, or you’re ready to perform live for fellow Franklinites, now is the time to sign up.
⏳ Registration closes April 30th—with just a couple of weeks left, don’t wait!
📅 Event Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
If you love live music and want amazing local talent right outside your door, sign up to host. If you’re in a band and love to entertain, grab your spot and bring your sound to the streets of Franklin!
👉 Register now: Franklin.PorchFest.Info
Help us fill Franklin with music, energy, and community spirit.
Don’t just listen—be part of it, register now at Franklin.PorchFest.Info!
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| land plans recorded at the Registry are not plot plans |
