ArtWalk in Planning Stages, if businesses are interested please respond by Feb 19

Dear Franklin Cultural District Partners,

The mission of the Franklin Cultural District is to foster and encourage culture and the arts in our community.

To support this mission the Franklin Cultural District Committee (FCDC)  and the Franklin Art Association (FAA)  are working collaboratively to plan an ArtWalk event through the Franklin Cultural District. These groups are excited to feature several local Franklin artists and to support our local businesses.

The hope is that by offering this visual art display we will encourage more foot traffic through the Franklin Cultural District and the downtown area.

At this point in time the project is in the planning stages. We will have more details to share when we hear about the plan of our Cultural District Partners.

Currently the FCDC and the FAA are looking for:

• Merchants/business owners who would be willing to have artwork displayed in their storefronts. The FCDC and the FAA will connect merchants with the artists
• Although most of the artwork will be hung in the storefront windows, individual businesses could also have artwork inside their establishments if agreed upon with an artist
• The artwork would be displayed by June 11th and would remain in store windows for the remainder of June and if possible during July as well
• Any materials needed to have the artwork displayed will be taken care of by the FCDC

If you would be interested in participating in this event, please contact Nancy Schoen at nschoenfranklinculture@gmail.com  by Friday, February 19, 2021.

We hope that many of you will be willing to participate!

Regards,

The Franklin Cultural District Committee and The Franklin Art Association

ArtWalk in Planning Stages, if businesses are interested please respond by Feb 19

Changes at the Franklin Food Pantry

Greetings!

We hope this email finds you well and you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. Life at The Pantry remains as busy as ever as we continue to provide our neighbors with fresh fruit and vegetables, proteins, and shelf-stable items. We are so grateful for your continued support over the past year, we could not continue to do the good work we do without you. While things may look a little different at The Pantry right now, our community is still such an important part of our organization and we wanted to share some internal changes with you.

We are pleased to announce that the Chair of the Board of Directors, Tina Powderly, will become our Executive Director and that Lynn Calling will move to the newly created position of Director of Development and Community Engagement. 

Tina Powderly

In her new role, Lynn will be spending her time on the new building Capital Campaign as well as work more closely with the individuals, groups and corporations who contribute to our mission. Tina will be responsible for the day-to-day Pantry operations and long-term strategic goals. Besides Tina’s move, our Board will remain the same with our current Treasurer, Jim Roche serving as the Interim Chair. These changes will take effect on March 1, 2021.

While this past year has been a challenge, we are proud of how we have continued to serve our neighbors. We surprised our neighbors with restaurant and supermarket gift cards, fresh flowers, special treats, and a choice table. We instituted weekly kids bags for families during the pandemic and still were able to do our annual Thanksgiving and winter holiday distribution. We continued a twice weekly drive-up distribution service so that even during the darkest days of the pandemic, our neighbors did not go hungry.

If you have any questions about The Pantry or just want to say hello, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at either: Tina Powderly or Lynn Calling. We look forward to a bright future and a reimagined Pantry!

Regards,

Tina Powderly and Lynn Calling 
Franklin Food Pantry

• Tina's email => tpowderly@franklinfoodpantry.org
• Lynn's email => lcalling@franklinfoodpantry.org

Changes at the Franklin Food Pantry

“The pandemic really laid bare just how critical a role childcare plays"

 

"A COALITION OF early education advocates will introduce an ambitious proposal Tuesday to completely overhaul the state’s early education system. The legislation would provide universal, affordable early education in Massachusetts, turning childcare from a system that is now largely private pay to one that is primarily publicly funded. 

The plan would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and the coalition has not yet proposed how to pay for it. At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has shed a spotlight on the importance of childcare to the economy –– and the fragility of the existing childcare system – the plan, while unlikely to pass, could provide a foundation for broader discussions about how to make childcare more accessible. It is being introduced at the same time as new powerful coalitions – a business organization and a philanthropic group –– are beginning to focus intensely on how to improve early education."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/advocates-push-universal-publicly-funded-early-education

 

Help determine the future of MA mass transit

 

"SOME OF THE MOST encouraging news coming out of the pandemic has been the ability of Massachusetts companies to quickly pivot and meet suddenly changing needs.  Shoe manufacturers are making face masks. Distillers are producing hand sanitizer.  A greeting card company is using it’s die-cutters to produce face shields.  Companies quickly pivoted, found ways to utilize their assets and kept their skilled employees working.

Commuter rail needs to follow the example of these firms and pivot by finding new uses for the skilled workers and the equipment that are being made surplus by the reductions in service currently taking place.  Commuter rail should be experimenting with new services, particularly with extending service to additional communities outside its current service area."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/commuter-rail-should-be-experimenting/ 

"The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will hold a virtual public hearing Feb. 24 to discuss temporary schedule changes that will go into effect in March and April, the agency said in a statement

The meeting, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., will allow participants to ask questions and give feedback on the changes, according to the statement."

Boston Globe coverage (subscription may be required)  

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/17/metro/mbta-hold-feb-24-public-meeting-transit-changes-due-covid-19-pandemic/

Register for the Feb 24 meeting https://www.mbta.com/events/2021-02-24/spring-2021-service-changes-virtual-public-meeting

"It’s the megaphone that makes the government work better"

Rep. Lori Ehrlich (@RepLoriEhrlich) tweeted on Tue, Feb 16, 2021:

Terrific article by @KamiRieck with insight from @dankennedy_nu @BrendanCrighton & @jasonpramas. TY Speaker @RonMariano for this important new law and for appointing me to the new 23-member commission. I look forward to digging in! https://t.co/unm9Wgo3jF

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RepLoriEhrlich/status/1361729045491236871

"The growth of “news deserts” in Massachusetts and the possible solutions to improving local journalism in underserved communities will be the focus of a new commission approved in the final hours of the last legislative session.

The initiative by Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, and Sen. Brendan Crighton, D-Lynn, was part of the massive economic development bill approved by lawmakers and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker last month. It will examine the sustainability of local press business models and the sufficiency of news coverage in communities across the state.

“Local journalists tell the community stories that bind us together,” Ehrlich said. “They tell us who we are, and where we’ve been and where we’re going. Local news is also essential to ensuring a healthy democracy.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.gazettenet.com/Journalism-task-force-38783093?fbclid=IwAR0cBSONXdL2PwMv17xgH0a8NQ7nBcnKFO4OJz9uQs2SnEGhSOQVAX8bWu0

"Talk Franklin" features vaccine distribution readiness, Davis Thayer, stormwater, "Hearts of Kindness" and #Project Envoy

FM #463 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 463 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• Vaccine distribution readiness
• Recent School Committee Davis Thayer decision 
• The Stormwater discussion continues
• A preview of Town Council meeting 
• Complete streets
• Community Preservation Committee appointments possible
• "Hearts of Kindness" on the Town Common
• #thinkfranklinFirst, #ProjectEnvoy

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie.  Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2eee4090-a465-4a7b-a5bd-49edf5d9825e

--------------
Town of Franklin COVID-19 page = https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/vaccination-and-covid-19-data 

Storm water Division page = https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division 
Check your impervious coverage = 
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5 

My notes from the Feb 3, 2021 Town Council meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-meeting-recap-020321-town.html 

#Project Envoy - February schedule = https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/project-envoy/ 

#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards = https://franklingiftcard.com/ 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/ 

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"

"Talk Franklin" features vaccine distribution readiness, Davis Thayer, stormwater, "Hearts of Kindness" and #Project Envoy 

Roy appointed Chair of Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy

State Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) was named by House Speaker Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy) as the new House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy. The committee considers all matters concerning the exploration, exploitation and development of energy sources, including the siting of energy facilities, public utilities, wind farms, and the bottle bill.

“It’s a great honor to have been chosen for this assignment,” noted Roy, who is serving his fifth term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. “These are challenging times and the sustainability issues, including the climate crisis, energy needs, and pollution are top priorities. I am humbled and honored that the Speaker entrusted me with this leadership post to face these challenges and help build a sustainable future.”

In the last session, Roy chaired the Higher Education Committee and led efforts to address financial issues on our campuses with the enactment of an act to support improved financial stability (Chapter 113 of the Acts of 2019) and make them safer with the enactment of an act relative to sexual violence at colleges (Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2020).

He also served on the special commission studying veteran’s tuition and the Harm Reduction Commission which addressed prevention and access to appropriate care and treatment of addiction. In addition to those duties, he serves as the House Chair of the Manufacturing Caucus which promotes making it in Massachusetts.

State Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy

During his years in office, Roy has also served as Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Finance, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Ethics, and as a member on the Committees on Ways and Means, Judiciary, Education, Mental Health, Substance Use, & Recovery, and Labor & Workforce Development.

Since 2013 Roy has been part of the legislative efforts that have addressed the issues of education, economic development, the coronavirus pandemic, health care, substance use disorder, criminal justice, veteran’s services, seniors, housing, tax relief, civil rights, social equity, gun safety, energy, and the environment.

Also appointed to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy were Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-N. Reading), and Reps. Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth), Joan Meschino (D-Hull), Jim Hawkins (D-Attleborough), David Robertson (D-Wilmington), Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose), Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn), Steven Owens (Watertown), and Len Mirra (R-Groveland).

Looking for something to read? How about the School Committee policy manual?

Looking for reading material during school vacation? Have you checked out the policy manual for the School Committee?

 

"THE PEOPLE AND THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Franklin School Committee has the dual responsibility for implementing statutory requirements pertaining to public education and local citizens' expectations for the education of the community's youth. It also has an obligation to determine and assess citizens' desires. When citizens elect delegates to represent them in the conduct of public education, their representatives have the authority to exercise their best judgment in determining policies, making decisions, and approving procedures for carrying out the responsibility.  

The Franklin School Committee therefore affirms and declares its intent to:

• Maintain two-way communications with citizens of the community. The public will be kept informed of the progress and problems of the school system, and citizens will be urged to bring their aspirations and feelings about their public schools to the attention of this body, which they have chosen to represent them in the management of public education. 
• Establish policies and make decisions on the basis of declared educational philosophy and goals. All decisions made by this Committee will be made with priority given to the purposes set forth, most crucial of which is the optimal learning of the student enrolled in our schools. 
• Act as a truly representative body for members of the community in matters involving  public education.  The Committee recognizes that ultimate responsibility for public education rests with the state, but individual School Committees have been assigned specific authority through state law.  The Committee will not relinquish any of this authority since it believes that decision-making control over the student’s learning should be in the hands of local citizens as much as possible. "

Reviewed; no revisions 4/8/2008;  Reviewed; revised 5/3/2014

Shared from the Franklin Public Schools page: https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual/pages/ab-people-and-their-school-district

Top level of the policy manual  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual

Washington Post: What is "the future of transportation funding?"

"Bruce Starr spotted the problem right away: The hydrogen-powered cars General Motors was showing off on the Oregon Capitol grounds wouldn’t need gas. And if they didn’t need gas, drivers wouldn’t be paying gas taxes that fund the state’s roads.

It was 2001, and the problem seemed urgent. GM predicted the cars would be on the market in a few years. Starr, then a Republican state representative, created a task force to figure out the future of transportation funding."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/interactive/2021/electric-mileage-tax/?itid=hp-more-top-stories

Public Hearing Notice - Amendment to Franklin Planning Board Subdivision Rules Chapter 300, Sections 11 & 12

Public Hearing Notice - Amendment to Franklin Planning Board Subdivision Rules Chapter 300, Section 11

Monday, February 22, 2021 at 7:10 PM

Language to bring section into compliance with the current MS4 stormwater permit

For the specific language and changes:
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/public_hearing_notice_-_s-21-01.pdf

Public Hearing Notice - Amendment to Franklin Planning Board Subdivision Rules Chapter 300, Section 12

Monday, February 22, 2021 at 7:10 PM

Language to bring the sections up to date with current LED lighting terminology 

For the specific language and changes: 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/public_hearing_notice_-_s-21-02.pdf
 

Public Hearing Notice - Amendment to Franklin Planning Board Subdivision Rules Chapter 300, Sections 11 & 12

Neighbor Brigade: Save the Date for our 10 Year Celebration!

Neighbor Brigade has been a part of the Franklin community since 2012! We are grateful to work along side many of the great resources in Franklin in helping our neighbors. 

To sponsor, make an auction donation or learn more about Neighbor Brigade in its 10th year, you can go to www.neighborbrigade.org or email the Franklin chapter- Franklinma@neighborbrigade.org.

Thank you,

Cheryl Ferri and Linda Gagnon,

Franklin chapter co-leaders

We'd love to see you

We're looking for great auction items and sponsorships, email us for details!

Neighbor Brigade | PO Box 735, Maynard, MA 01754 Sent by polly@neighborbrigade.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!

new webpage to explore -> Industrial History New England

"This new website is a celebration of New England as a landscape of work and innovation and a portal for exploring the American birthplace of a revolution that triggered the most profound set of social and environmental changes in human history."

Shared from Twitter:   https://t.co/A6zJj5rzrU

Explore the web page -> https://industrialhistorynewengland.org/

new webpage -> Industrial History New England

FM #462 - Franklin's Acting Town Clerk - 02/10/21 (audio)

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin’s Acting Town Clerk Nancy Danello along with her assistant Susan Merullo.

We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• What is your Franklin story?
• Almost 6 months already, including two elections (Nov, Dec 2020)
• What else are you doing?
• What does the 2021 year hold (beside November elections)?

Links to the Town Clerk web page is included in the show notes. The recording runs about 22 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Nancy and Susan.

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7541a85e-30d4-4916-bb7f-1a078094ad77

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

Town Clerk page = https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk 

Updated official directory (as mentioned) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/2021_directory_of_town_state_and_county_officials_0.pdf 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/ 

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"

Acting Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides an update to a Town Council meeting in 2020

Medway Marches invites you to "Allies in Action" - Feb 24

Medway Marches invites the community to a free virtual event on February 24 from 7:00-8:00 pm. This “Allies in Action'' event will focus discussion on becoming an active ally, the role of race and history in allyship, and how community organizations can affect change through allyship.  Based in Medway, Medway Marches is an organization whose vision is to build an inclusive community for people of color through education, engagement, and empowerment. This presentation and discussion feature renowned Victoria Alexander, a diversity educator, and critical race scholar.  Alexander will lead a discussion for allies of BIPOC, answering such questions as, “How can I help?” and “What can I do as a non-BIPOC person?” This informative and open discussion will address these questions and more under the expert guidance of Alexander, an experienced diversity educator.  To register, visit https://bit.ly/MMALLIES for Zoom log in info via email. The free event will also be live-streamed on the Medway Cable Access Facebook Page. More about Victoria Alexander: Victoria conducts critical research challenging myths regarding the distribution of power and the role of racism and anti-racism in social, professional, and educational spaces. She empowers people to analyze their own social identities and positions within power systems.  Follow her on Instagram @victoriaalxndr.  For more information about Medway Marches and its mission to engage, enable, and empower our community, join its Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/medwaymarches).

Medway Marches invites you to "Allies in Action" - Feb 24

MetroWest Visitors Bureau to Offer Mini-Grants - applications open Feb 15

The MetroWest Visitors Bureau (MWVB) announced today a new mini-grant program funded through the MWVB and the Mass Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT). The MWVB will consider mini-grant applications for projects devoted to marketing a MetroWest event, attraction, business, service, or cultural or recreational offering including virtual and online projects.

Grant applications open Feb. 15, 2021, and close April 1, 2021. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2021. Grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $15,000.

One of sixteen Regional Tourism Councils in Massachusetts, the MetroWest Visitors Bureau participates in the state’s MyLocalMA campaign encouraging Massachusetts residents to eat, shop and stay local. The Bureau’s mini-grant program aligns with that mission and calls for marketing proposals that will increase revenue generation for MetroWest’s designated region: Ashland, Bellingham, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland and Westborough.

“Many of our region’s attractions, hospitality and retail operations have been hard hit during the Covid pandemic. These grant funds provide some much-needed assistance as we work together to promote local businesses and stimulate economic recovery,” says Erin Lynch, Executive Director of the Visitors Bureau. “Unlike previous years, there is no match required for grant funding, making it even easier for organizations to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Grant applications and program information can be found online at http://bit.ly/MWVBmini-grants. For questions or more information, please email Erin Lynch at erin@metrowestvisitors.org.

About the MetroWest Visitors Bureau — As the only regional organization with the mission of stimulating the MetroWest economy by marketing the region's assets, the MetroWest Visitors Bureau has served hundreds of businesses, nonprofit agencies, and municipalities since its founding. This independent nonprofit organization markets the region’s cultural and recreational venues, retailers, restaurants, accommodations, and educational and other services to visitors and residents alike. These marketing efforts also serve to brand the region, to build collaborations across sectors and towns, to support jobs-producing enterprises, and to celebrate the diverse and vibrant MetroWest community. Learn more about the MWVB by visiting www.metrowestvisitors.org or by following on social media @visitmetrowest.

 

MetroWest Visitors Bureau to Offer Mini-Grants

What's with Complete Streets?

The memo to the Franklin, MA Town Council and the "Complete Streets" presentation document scheduled for discussion at the Feb 17, 2021 meeting.

Link to the doc on the Town of Franklin page

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._complete_streets_web.pdf

Full agenda for the Town Council meeting Feb 17, 2021

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/february-17-town-council-agenda

 

MA Complete Streets Program - Overview for Town Council from Franklin Matters

What's with Complete Streets?

FHS Gymnastics: Saturday meet results

FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) tweeted on Sun, Feb 14, 2021:

Another great win for these girls!! 💙#undefeated @FHSSports @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters  @MetroWestSports @HockomockSports @MyFM1013 @KatCornetta @FHSTrainingRoom 

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/MAXRE8EWED

FHS Gymnastics: Saturday meet results 1

FHS Gymnastics: Saturday meet results 2

FHS Gymnastics: Saturday meet results 3

A Good Deed by the Dedham Fire Department

As past readers of these “Good Deeds” articles know sometimes the subject matter deals with real estate and home ownership issues.  Other times a current event, a matter involving history or just something of interest is written about.  With this article due I started looking at and writing about Groundhog Day which occurred on February 2, 2021.  This is the day a groundhog, most notably Punxsutawney Phil, comes out of his home and predicts how much time is left of winter.  There is even a movie film entitled “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray where everyday he wakes up reliving the same day over and over again.  How many of us have felt that this is what has been taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic?

There is a saying “Life is what happens as you are making plans”.  My plan and words for the “Good Deeds” article went right out the door when I received a call at 6:50 A.M. on Saturday morning February 6, 2021.  I will get into what happened – but this “Good Deeds” message first and foremost is “Thank you to the Dedham Fire Department for responding to and knocking down a fire that took place at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Building.”

That early Saturday morning call I received was to get to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds building in Dedham.  There was not only a fire alarm sounding but there was a fire in the building.  The fast and timely response of the Dedham Fire Department was crucial in preventing what could have been a disastrous fire at the beautiful and historic Registry building in Dedham square.  No one got hurt in the fire.  No firefighter nor other first responders got hurt.  Property can be replaced but individuals not getting hurt or worse is what is most important.

How many times do firefighters respond to fire alarms going off and it was nothing?  Not in the case of this call to the Registry building during the early hours of a Saturday morning.  Firefighters, police officers and all first responders have to be ever vigilant and on top of these calls because the situations they walk in to may not be “false” or “routine”.  In this case what was later to be determined to be an electrical fire caused by a light fixture ballast was taking place in a first-floor basement area of the Registry building.  The firefighters of the Dedham Fire Department were on top of things as they came into the Registry Building using their training and skills.  The fire personnel did a wonderful job in containing the fire and putting the fire out.  You also see the work the Fire department does after a fire is put out.  The firefighters start sorting through debris, putting items on a separate tarp while other fire personnel as well as police personnel start reviewing evidence left behind by the fire.  Thank you to Dedham Deputy Police Chief Mike Buckley and Massachusetts State Police Detective Sergeant Tom Berteletti of the Office of the State Fire Marshall for their admirable professionalism and thoroughness after the fire was put out.

The words I kept repeating when I was at the Registry the morning of the fire was “It could have been worse.”  These are the words I continue to repeat when asked since about the fire.  Some might say what is the big deal of putting out a fire at the Registry of Deeds Building.  As Register of Deeds with a responsibility to make sure land records get recorded and preserved that deal with the biggest asset most of us have, our homes, my biggest concern and fear over the years has been the Registry of Deeds due to fire burning down.  Many hours of staff time have been spent looking at disaster recovery and business continuity planning. 

Dedham Fire Department

This beautiful and historic edifice built in 1903 has received extensive repairs and renovations culminating with a building rededication in 2019.  A fire that destroyed this building would be a loss from a historical and preservationist perspective.  But what about the records, indexes and land information dating back to Norfolk County’s founding in 1793?  What about the modernization initiatives that have brought computers, servers and other technological equipment into the Registry Building?  Be assured the records have been backed up on off-site computers as well as put on microfilm that is also stored at off-site facilities.  However, the business impact of not having a Registry of Deeds Building in a key component of our economy, the real estate sector, would be incalculable.  Buyers of homes, sellers of homes, lenders and banks, carpenters, developers, house builders, real estate brokers, attorneys, title examiners, engineers, house appraisers, home inspectors, tradesman and so many others have livelihoods that depend on what takes place at the Registry of Deeds Building.  So, to me putting out a fire at the Registry of Deeds Building is a real big deal as it saved the Registry of Deeds Building and all that takes place, as well as the ripple effects of what takes place, in that building.

My thanks to all first responders everywhere for what you do everyday especially with the difficulties the Coronavirus pandemic has brought on.  I am so grateful to the Dedham Fire Department for their professionalism in putting out this fire.  In thanking these first responders that morning I could tell that they felt they were “Just doing their job”.  For the Dedham firefighters it may be just doing their jobs but the effect of what they prevented is so much more.  The firefighters of Dedham did and do their jobs exceptionally well.  THANK YOU DEDHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT.