The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW): Episode 285 - Interview with Jim Spadaccini (audio)

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you!

Immersive Wine Experiences: The Future of Tasting with Ideum

Episode Summary:

Join Kim and Mark on The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) as they delve into the cutting edge of wine technology with Jim Spadaccini of Ideum. Discover how Ideum is revolutionizing the wine tasting experience with its innovative interactive tasting tables.

In this episode, Jim shares the story behind Ideum and its expertise in creating captivating museum exhibits. He then dives into the fascinating details of their wine tasting table technology, explaining how it enhances the user experience. Learn how the tables cater to both still and sparkling wines with their different modules, providing a unique and informative journey for wine enthusiasts.

Jim also discusses the accolades Ideum has received for its groundbreaking work and how their experience in museum interactives has contributed to the development of this exciting wine technology. Looking ahead, he offers insights into the future of wine experiences and how technology like Ideum's tasting tables will continue to shape the industry.

Episode 285 - Interview with Jim Spadaccini (audio)

About Ideum:

Ideum is a company specializing in the design and development of interactive experiences. Their wine tasting table technology is transforming the way people engage with wine, offering a blend of education and enjoyment.

Learn More:

Ideum: www.ideum.com

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW): www.thewww.wine

Cheers!

Kim and Mark

🍷🍷🍷

http://www.thewww.wine

#wine #thewonderfulworldofwine #ideum #winetasting

https://soundcloud.com/user-492543397/episode-285-interview-with-jim-spadaccini?

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) · Episode 285-Interview with Jim Spadaccini

Finance Committee approves recommended capital budget & gets the insights on the "hold harmless" liability the Town faces (video)

The Finance Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. 7 of the 9 members were present in Council Chambers. 

Many of the Town department leaders were present and participating as needed. School Superintendent Lucas Giguere participated as did Interim School Business Administrator Jana Melotti along with consultant Dr Bob Dutch.

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/yzii8AGsv7k?&t=234

The agenda doc also contains supporting information ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/finance_committee_meeting_agenda_-_january_15_2025.pdf

Quick recap 

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walking the committee thru the memo on the capital budget https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/04a._fy25_capital_improvement_plan_memo.pdf
• Many clarification questions on what for when, as well as possible reallocation of the recommendation
• Chart on free cash is for information purposes
• First resolution on use of free cash for the capital budget resulted in a discussion around amending the amount and creating a technology stabilization fund but ultimately that did not get amended and it was approved as proposed by a 7-0-2 (7 for, 2 absent) vote
• Second resolution on funding from the enterprise accounts was approved as recommended with the same 7-0-2 vote
• Now to the Opioid settlement funds. Memo  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5a._opioid_settlement_funds.pdf  and the Resolution for approval https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/5b._1_-_resolution_25-02_-_opioid_funding.pdf
• After explanation of the current funding and a look at future funds coming (approx. $1.2M) the vote to approve the resolution passed 7-0-2
• Now to the "hold harmless" topic for Chapter 70 school funding. State house news article references a commission to look at school funding https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/6b._with_new_term_dawning_spilka_eyes_k-12_funding_reform_primary_care_overhaul_senate_statehousenews.com_.pdf
• We are currently getting $12m over what the school funding formula calls for. We are the
• 2nd largest hold harmless (Boston #1) A change to the formula takes time. Jamie has been warning of this for some years. 
• Approximately 18-20m of town costs for school functions go to the net school spending. accounting to determine the per pupil spending calculation. ** $27m for FY 2024 fiscal year is actual. Confirmed that 24, 25 and 27 for last 3 years
• Long and complex discussion around the possible review of the formula
• Folks see the buildings going up but the population has been flat. Great quote from Jamie (to clip later) on the wealth growth and the hold harmless getting worse unless we choose to pay more

My notes in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ArVXe5jDOAsetxonq0voW2eKTSe_XWN3/view?usp=drive_link

Dr Dutch & Jena Melotti presenting on Chap 70 "hold harmless"

A Scientific Christmas Tale | NIST

"’Twas the night before Christmas; NIST staff had gone home.
Our director was left to reflect all alone.
She thought about NIST and the breadth of its work,
from AI to fire to even the quark. 

Our impact, she knew, was broad and widespread,
and triumphs of measurement danced in her head.
Examples abounded of great innovation
spurred by NIST work for the good of the nation.

When people pump gas or buy food at the store,
NIST helps to ensure they get what they paid for.
And when they’re online and making transactions, 
NIST-backed encryption means safer interactions. 

There are frameworks that help with cyber hygiene.
And something we call the million-pound deadweight machine.
What else to her adoring eyes should appear,
but a Lego watt balance and a weathering sphere. "

Continue reading this scientific version of a famous tale

https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/scientific-christmas-tale

A Scientific Christmas Tale | NIST

Middle school program on Technology/Social Media at Horace Mann, Mar 26 at 6 PM

Technology/Social Media

"For parents of middle schoolers at HMMS (and I’m sure they’re happy to have all middle school parents interested).

Technology/Social Media Info Night with Officer Ayer, Tuesday 3/26 at 6pm

Officer Ayer and Principal Motte will be hosting an evening event for HMMS parents/guardians to learn more about the impacts of technology and social media on the lives of the middle school student. We will provide some information on what we are seeing in our roles as Principal and School Resource Officer, and will provide resources for parents to stay informed. 

We hope this can be an opportunity to share our experiences, raise awareness, and identify ways we can work together to help our middle schoolers live healthy lives. This event will take place in the HMMS Library."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/dnxX8qFYeLEVBi74/

Annual Report for the Franklin Technology Department: FY 2023 Report

The 2023 Annual Report for the Town of Franklin's Technology Department highlights a year of significant accomplishments and progress in advancing the technological infrastructure and services within the town and school district. Despite the challenges posed by the rapidly evolving technology landscape, the department has been able to maintain excellent customer support metrics and make progress on some key initiatives

Department Overview

The Technology Department oversees all technology related functions of the Town of Franklin and the Franklin Public School District. The Technology Department remains committed to empowering the town and school district with innovative solutions, efficient processes, and robust infrastructure. The department's dedicated team works collaboratively to support the town's operations, ensure data security, and drive digital transformation to increase productivity and create efficiencies wherever and whenever opportunities may arise.

Key Initiatives and Achievements

The fiscal year 2023 saw the successful implementation of several technology projects for both the school and town technology systems. We have upgraded hardware and software across various departments, leading to improved efficiency and productivity. Some of those initiatives are listed here 

• Upgrade to wifi at the police department

• DPW Autocad® computer upgrade.

• Installed new projection systems in all gymnasiums.

• Purchased a new large format scanner for the Health department.

• Replaced all non-functioning video displays at the Franklin High School.

• Upgraded the MediaCAST® video distribution system at the Franklin High School.

• Upgrades to 100 town and school desktop workstations.

 

Upgrades to the town's network infrastructure have enhanced connectivity, allowing for seamless communication and data sharing.

Infrastructure , Network, and Security

• Upgraded the school's internet access to 10GB fiber from Cogent Communications.

• Extended the town's fiber optic network to the new forge hill water department and transfer station.

The department invested in server upgrades to ensure optimal performance and reliability of critical systems.

• Replaced all Domain Controllers throughout town and school buildings.

• Upgraded all servers throughout town and school to Windows Server 2019.

Additional cybersecurity measures have been implemented to safeguard sensitive information and protect against cyber threats.

• Multi-Factor Authentication has been implemented for all town employee accounts and all non-union school accounts. The remaining accounts are in progress and will be completed first quarter FY 24.

• DUO® Multi-factor authentication for high risk. users' Windows® accounts and VPN users.

• Sophos® Managed Detection and Response service monitoring has been implemented throughout the town and school network and computer systems. This system greatly reduces our risk exposure and the potential for a costly ransomware attack.

• DOS Arrest® service has also been purchased and implemented to guard against Denial of Service attacks against the school district which would be catastrophic if such attacks occurred during MCAS online testing.

Remote Work Solutions

The Technology Department plays a pivotal role in enabling remote work capabilities, ensuring business continuity during challenging times.

Challenges

Despite the achievements listed above the Technology Department continues to work through the following persistent challenges.

• Budget constraints to replace aging hardware and infrastructure within a reasonable technology life-cycle timeframe

• Cybersecurity is a moving target and is a constant concern

• Employee recruitment and retention is always challenging due to limited budgets and competition with the private sector salaries

Mitigation strategies have been employed to attempt to address these challenges and we strive to ensure the smooth functioning of technology initiatives.

Budget Allocation and Expenditure

As can be seen in the town budget documents available online, the lion's share of the technology budget (95%) is licensing fees for the myriad software we utilize throughout the town. Similarly 96% of the non-salary school budget is also licensing and support fees. Very little is left over for discretionary spending such as hardware repair and maintenance.

Future Roadmap

Technology goals for the upcoming year include the following:

• Replacement of 400 Student Chromebooks and consideration of a possible leasing model to create a sustainable funding source for these replacements over the next 4 years.

• Replacement of 300 Teacher Laptops.

• Plan for replacing 130 10-year-old ceiling mounted projectors at the Franklin High School with TouchView® interactive panels (as we have these already throughout all K-8 classrooms)

• Continuous improvements in technology security (wherever that road may lead) including restoration of a Technology Security Specialist full time position.

• Implement an employee tracking system for Human Resources Department.

• Implement an electronic file storage system and onboarding software for the Human Resources Department.

• Work with the Facilities Department to replace the 10-year-old security camera system at the Franklin High School.

Of course this is not a definitive list as the Technology Department is often called on to provide creative solutions to time-sensitive day-to-day challenges that arise within the organization.

Acknowledgments

The Technology Department could never be as successful as we have been without the dedication and commitment to excellence of the amazing team of professional staff that we are so fortunate to employ. Just as I am aware of the lucrative financial draw of the technology private sector, so are the rest of the team, yet, they (and I) choose to work in Franklin. Why?

Because Franklin is a great place to work! The friendly, respectful environment that permeates throughout all departments promotes a sense of purpose and duty that is rare in the workplace today.

I conclude with a gesture of gratitude to all Franklin employees, committee members, partners, vendors and stakeholders that have contributed to the Technology Department's success and Franklin's success!

For more information, please visit the Technology Department website located at: 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/technology-services 

Thank you.

Sincerely, 

Timothy Rapoza

Director of Technology Services

Town of Franklin, Franklin Public Schools

The Technology Dept report can also be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1txb4pMfsgADJyJihQbObpH-Z57Uo1IiL/view?usp=drive_link

The full Town of Franklin FY 2023 Annual Report can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/annual_report_2023_0.pdf

Attention Seniors in Franklin: Please complete this Technology Survey!

The Franklin Senior Center was awarded a grant for $34,800 to enhance digital literacy for older adults. This grant will help replace outdated equipment, purchase additional equipment, and develop and offer a full technology curriculum specific to seniors. 

Can you help complete the technology survey? This will help the Senior Center create the curriculum based on the input from you! The seniors who use or could use the Center.  

There are also paper surveys available at the Senior Center and available at the library. 

Respond to the Online Survey:  https://forms.gle/LwHSHK2GymoeatTf8

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder or to share ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p0fVksx6deYv_H1vA3vHDpCpO7J5vA3o/view?usp=drive_link

Attention Seniors in Franklin: Please complete this Technology Survey

Technology upgrades coming to the Franklin Senior Center

"We are so excited to announce we were awarded a $34,800 grant from the EOEA to Enhance Digital Literacy specifically for Older Adults! 

This will include replacing our outdated equipment, purchasing additional equipment, and developing and offering a full technology curriculum specific to seniors!"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CvvNsmrxiQt/

Technology upgrades coming to the Franklin Senior Center

Boston Globe: "Massachusetts is building a green economy, but does it have the workers to do so?"

"It’s going to take 38,100 workers to help Massachusetts transition to a clean energy state.

That’s according to a report published Wednesday by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), a quasi-public agency that supports the state’s green energy industry. The paper forecasts thousands of new jobs by 2030 in order to meet the state’s decarbonization goals. And as of now, we’re not ready to fill them.

The report classifies a worker as a “clean energy worker” if they are working in renewable energy, energy efficiency, alternative transportation, or other decarbonization efforts. These jobs include electricians who install electric panels, insulation workers who help maximize the efficiency of heating and cooling systems, or construction workers who help install electric vehicle charging stations.

According to the center’s analysis, Massachusetts needs its clean energy workforce to expand by 37 percent from its current size of 104,000. However, the report also reflects the current challenges of filling those positions today. For example, 88 percent of companies that responded to MassCEC surveys said they have difficulty hiring workers for clean energy jobs."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/19/business/massachusetts-is-building-green-economy-does-it-have-workers-do-so/

A new report highlights the need for more electricians and other workers skilled in clean energy-related trades to fill an expected 38,000 jobs in Massachusetts by 2030.DAVID L. RYAN/GLOBE STAFF

Get your own copy of the MassCEC report here ->    https://www.masscec.com/sites/default/files/documents/Powering%20the%20Future_A%20Massachusetts%20Clean%20Energy%20Workforce%20Needs%20Assessment_Final.pdf

Talking with Rich Frongillo about Downtown Preschool (opening 2023), economic development, soccer, etc. (audio)

FM #927 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 927 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Rich Frongillo. Rich is the owner of Tinetrix, founder of the Franklin Soccer School, Inc., Downtown Sports, and the forthcoming Downtown Preschool (new in 2023!). Our conversation was recorded in the Franklin TV & Radio studios on Tuesday, Dec 20, 2022.

Rich and I had another winding conversation. We start with the World Cup, talk soccer, and then catch up on business in this ‘new normal’ time. We get into economic development, housing, and other topics catching up from our prior conversation recorded in September 2020.

Downtown Preschool is the most recent small business venture and it is scheduled to open this year.

Our conversation runs 67 mins. Let’s listen to Rich and I talk about small business life here in Franklin. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-927-rich-frongillo-downtown-sports-expanding-12-20-23

--------------

Rich’s LinkedIn profile = https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-frongillo-4860a96/ 

Tinetrix, Inc. =  https://www.tinetrix.com/ 

Franklin Soccer School, Inc. = https://www.franklinsoccerschool.com/ 

Downtown Sports =  https://www.downtownsports.net/ 

Registration for all activities =  https://www.downtownsports.net/registration

Downtown Preschool -> https://www.downtownpreschool.org 

Our prior conversation (Sep 2020)  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/fm-353-rich-frongillo-growing.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Downtown Preschool scheduled to open in 2023

“Sounds Of Surveillance” by Si-Mark And Scott-Funkel (audio)

Sharing from a Mark Hurst email:

"A quick note today: I wanted to share with you a song that I helped put together with friends from WFMU, the amazing radio station that broadcasts Techtonic. A few weeks back, I was speaking with Scott Williams (himself a DJ on Thursday afternoons) about an idea we’ve batted around for a few years, of changing a well-known song into a tech-themed dystopian version. Almost immediately Scott said he knew just what song to work with: “It practically writes itself!” And thus was born “Sounds of Surveillance.”

Once Scott and I worked the lyrics into shape, he put the band together: Greg Harrison on drums, Matt Fiveash on bass, Lily Wen as audio engineer, and Scott himself on guitar and organ. Soon after the live recording session with the band, he and I went into the studio to sing the vocals, after which he added some more post-production magic to make the track shine.

If you like the song, you can pitch in to WFMU, which is about to start its annual October fundraiser. (New t-shirts are available for the fall, and WFMU has the best t-shirts.)

And now, the track."

- - -

Listen to “Sounds Of Surveillance” by Si-Mark And Scott-Funkel

LYRICS:
Sounds of Surveillance
by Si-mark and Scott-funkel

Hello Siri, my old friend
You’ve come to spy on me again
Because the websites that I’ve been browsing
Give you insight into my thinking
Paranoia that you planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sounds of surveillance

And in the metaverse I saw
Three billion people, maybe more
People texting without speaking
People swiping without reading
People monitored by devices that never cared
No one dared
Disturb the sounds of surveillance

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the screen flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the screen said, “The billions in profits are written in the smartphone apps
Like Google Maps”
And whispered in the sounds of surveillance

- - -

Here’s the link again: Listen to “Sounds Of Surveillance” by Si-Mark And Scott-Funkel.

“Sounds Of Surveillance” by Si-Mark And Scott-Funkel

Mark Hurst · Sounds Of Surveillance - Si-Mark And Scott-Funkel

The Hill: "No miracle tech needed: How to switch to renewables now and lower costs doing it"

"The world is experiencing unprecedented fuel price increases, energy blackmail between countries, up to 7 million air pollution deaths per year worldwide and one climate-related disaster after another. Critics contend that a switch to renewable energy to solve these problems will create unstable electricity grids and drive prices up further. However, a new study from my research group at Stanford University concludes that these problems can be solved in each of the 145 countries we examined — without blackouts and at low cost using almost all existing technologies."

Continue reading the article on the report released

https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/3539703-no-miracle-tech-needed-how-to-switch-to-renewables-now-and-lower-costs-doing-it/ 

From the Opening of the report:

"Global warming, air pollution, and energy insecurity are three of the greatest problems facing humanity. Roadmaps are developed and grid analyses are performed here for 145 countries to address these problems. The roadmaps call for a 100% transition of all-purpose business-as-usual (BAU) energy to wind-water-solar (WWS) energy, efficiency, and storage, ideally by 2035, but by no later than 2050, with at least 80% by 2030. Grid stability analyses find that the countries, grouped into 24 regions, can exactly match demand with 100% WWS supply and storage, from 2050–2052. Worldwide, WWS reduces enduse energy by 56.4%, private annual energy costs by 62.7% (from $17.8 to $6.6 trillion per year), and social (private plus health plus climate) annual energy costs by 92.0% (from $83.2 to $6.6 trillion per year) at a present-value cost of B$61.5 trillion. The mean payback times of the capital cost due to energy- and social-cost savings are 5.5 and 0.8 years, respectively. "

Download and read the full report ->

https://web.stanford.edu/group/efmh/jacobson/Articles/I/145Country/22-145Countries.pdf

No miracle tech needed: How to switch to renewables now and lower costs doing it

One Last Try – Registry of Deeds IT staff

Dear Registry users and citizens,

We recently posted on our website www.norfolkdeeds.org  a video of a recent April interview outlining why the Norfolk Registry of Deeds should keep its 2 person on-site direct report Registry IT Department.  Sometimes “a picture is worth a 1,000 words” given all that has been written about this matter.  State Law has provided funds to pay for all Registry IT positions in an IT Department that has been in existence for over 35 years at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds.  The on-site Registry IT staff must be kept.

 

On May 4, 2022 Commissioners Peter Collins and Joseph Shea in a 2 to 1 vote eliminated all Registry IT positions out of the Registry Budget.  This is reckless.  It is unprecedented not to have on-site Registry IT services.  The Registry, its staff and those that the Registry serves are being targeted by a full scale dismantling of the Registry of Deeds on-site direct report IT support.

 

You can help stop the reckless and poor decisions with too many possible bad outcomes by contacting the Norfolk County Advisory Board members. A list of the members is also posted on our website. Please let these representatives know to keep the direct report Registry IT staff when they vote on May 11, 2022.  Also, please contact members of the Finance Committee of the Advisory Board from Avon, Plainville, Randolph, Milton and Brookline who will be voting a recommendation to the whole Advisory Board.

 

Professional Registry staff, Registry users and citizens who have supported the need for on-site Registry IT professionals are NOT being listened to by County Commissioners Collins and Shea.  Why would these Norfolk County Commissioners oppose their paid consultant Mark Abrahams answering deposition questions and their attorney write as one of the reasons that is could cause “embarrassment”?  For who?  The two county commissioners – Collins and Shea – who voted as they did?  For all county decision makers who influenced the IT review, actions and reports with the goal to dismantle the direct report Registry IT Department?  This is what you Registry supporters are up against but we all must keep “fighting the fight.”

 

You will also find posted on our website a letter from Attorney James McKenzie that says it all. It is just a sample of the support the Registry of Deeds has received since the 2 to 1 Norfolk County Commissioner vote going back nearly a year to June 30, 2021 to not have a Registry CIO. Was this the plan all along to not have any Registry IT professionals in the Registry IT Budget? On behalf of myself, the Registry staff and all who depend on the Registry of Deeds including homeowners I want to thank you for your kind words and support that has been given throughout this whole unfortunate matter.

Sincerely yours,

 

William P. O’Donnell,

Register of Deeds

 

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and 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.org.

One Last Try – Registry of Deeds IT staff

For Norfolk County Registry of Deeds IT Dept

I am writing to you today as you are a member of the Norfolk County Advisory Board and there will soon be a vote by the Advisory Board concerning the County budget to keep or abandon a Norfolk County Registry of Deeds IT Department and its Chief Information Officer.

I have been a practicing attorney in Brookline since 1973 with a concentration in real estate, and have seen great advances in Information Technology at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds from a time when the only way to find out what documents were recorded there was to go there, to instant access from any computer. The most recent technological advance has been the ability to record documents from the office where the closing took place. This is a great advance that needs to be maintained. There has been a system of sequential closings that allowed a seller of a piece of real estate to use their sale proceeds to buy their next home that day, and allowing the seller of the second piece of real estate to buy their new property that same day, and sometimes to a third sequential transaction on that day This, as you would expect, would require a lot of coordination between the Buyers, Sellers, real estate brokers and the attorneys for all the parties. Like I said, you could stack these closings in a row when well coordinated. Sellers can not use the proceeds from their sale until the necessary documents were recorded, which until recently required delivery of the documents to the Registry of Deeds. With the ability to record documents electronically these progressive closings can be extended to four because physically delivering the documents to the Registry is no longer required, and verification of recording is instantly available to all. This is only allowed by the well maintained information technology presently in place at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds.

In addition to the Recorded documents section of the Registry of Deeds there is the Registered Land, or Land Court, Section of the Registry of Deeds in which property that may have some sticky issue or issues relating to its title goes through the Land Court to have it resolved. Access to the often technical and complicated Registered Land Section documents is also instantaneous because of the advanced system of information technology, including security, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds employs.

Just this past year I had an unusual problem with access to some documents concerning my office condominium unit. I called the Norfolk Registry of Deeds and received a prompt call back. The entire issue was resolved in twenty minutes.

That type of service for all the various users of the Norfolk Registry of Deeds is invaluable, and can not be abandoned. Failure of the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds to function as it does would result in personal and/or financial chaos for your Norfolk County neighbors who are coming, going, or relocating within the county.

I sincerely urge you to vote to keep the funding for a Chief Information Officer and Registry IT  Technology Department in the budget. Thank you. 

Very truly yours,

Ludwig Alban

For Norfolk County Registry of Deeds IT Dept

Letter from Register O'Donnell: Appealing for Commonsense Action on Registry IT

April 25, 2022

Dear Registry Stakeholders and Citizens,

AN APPEAL FOR COMMONSENSE ACTION ON REGISTRY IT

Please listen to the professional staff that runs the Norfolk Registry of Deeds as to why the Registry needs its Information (IT) Technology Department. (click here to listen to the Registry staff at a Norfolk County Commissioners Meeting). The Registry staff who did a compelling job in arguing on behalf of all Registry users in this video have over 149 years of legal and land document recording experience.  Shouldn't the words of a professional Registry staff that takes care of the land records to your house count more than some consultant who come in like "a hired gun" to say whatever they get paid to say?  Doesn't the words in this video of staff that has given reliable service mean something when assessed against consultants who have never visited a Registry of Deeds or knew anything about Registry operations until they got paid as a consultant?

On May 4, 2022 there will be a vote by the Finance Committee of the Norfolk County Advisory Board made up of Avon, Randolph, Plainville, Brookline and Milton from the attached list of Advisory Board members (click here for a list of members). Please tell these Finance Committee representatives and the Advisory Board representative from your community who will be voting on May 11, 2022 to vote to keep the on-site direct report high level Registry IT staff in place.

Commonsense in this day and age would mean the Norfolk Registry of Deeds would keep its on-site direct report in the Registry budget Registry IT staff.  This Registry IT Department has been in existence at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds for well over 35 years paid for by the Registry of Deeds.

Commonsense would say why jeopardize the land records that authenticate the legal title to your home.  Commonsense would take note of all the fraud and cybersecurity risks in today's world and keep the Registry IT Department as is.  Commonsense would say we use the Registry of Deeds dedicated revenues to pay for this IT technology staff which has played a key role in the modernization initiatives implemented at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds. 

The Norfolk County Commissioners chose Plymouth and Bristol counties as the "benchmarks" to compare Norfolk County.  The Registries of Deeds in these counties do have on-site direct report IT Departments.  This should logically mean that Norfolk Registry should keep its on-site direct report IT Department. It did not.  Why not?  If this was a fair and impartial process the fact that the Registries in Plymouth and Bristol have on-site Registry IT staff should have ended all debate about the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds not keeping its on-site IT Department.  Why should residents and taxpayers of Norfolk County get less service than what the people of Plymouth County and Bristol County get?

Thank you for your attention to this very important issue.  Any action you take is appreciated by all who use and rely on the operations and services of your Norfolk Registry of Deeds.

Sincerely yours,

William P. O'Donnell
Norfolk Register of Deeds

Appealing for Commonsense Action on Registry IT