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Thursday, August 11, 2022
Fall Registration is OPEN at Lifelong Community Learning
CommonWealth Magazine: "Here’s what Baker signed, amended, and vetoed"
"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Wednesday took a slew of legislative actions, clearing his desk of many of the major bills that were sent to him in the final days of the legislative session.Baker signed an $11.37 billion transportation infrastructure bond bill, with some vetoes, and signed a $164 million bond bill to modernize technology at the judiciary. He signed a bill improving mental health care by ensuring parity in insurance coverage, addressing long emergency room waits, and shoring up mental health services in schools. He agreed to tighten the state’s gun licensing laws in response to a US Supreme Court ruling."
Continue reading the article online ->
Boston Globe coverage of the Governors Actions on Wednesday (subscription may be required) https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/10/metro/baker-signs-sports-betting-bill-into-law-you-cant-legally-wager-patriots-red-sox-bruins-or-celtics-yet/
For the full listing of the Governor's actions on Wednesday
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| CommonWealth Magazine: "Here’s what Baker signed, amended, and vetoed" |
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, Aug 11, 2022
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Thursday
9:00a/12:00p/6:00p A Priest, A Minister and a Rabbi
10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey and Jim Derick
11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = Thursday
7:30 am Cooking Thyme: Apple Crisp
8:00 am Veterans' Call: Monuments
9:00 am Metrowest Symposium: Festivals & Community Celebrations
10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Task Force
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs
12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs
1:00 pm Physician Focus: Alzheimer's
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 7
3:00 pm Battleship Cove: 3D Print Lab
3:30 pm Cooking Thyme: Apple Crisp
4:00 pm Once Upon A Town: Franklin 500
4:30 pm Frank Presents: Cathleen Liberty
5:30 pm FAA: Art From The Heart
7:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 1 - Tweed funk
8:00 pm Metrowest Symposium: Sharing Identity on Social Media
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = Thursday
7:00 am Public School Event: Concert Hour Day 1
9:00 am Cultural District: Brent Selby
11:30 am FHS Oskey 2022
2:00 pm Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 1 03-14-18
3:40 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey: v Winchester 11-11-21
6:10 pm Battleship Cove: 3D Print Lab
7:00 pm Arts Advocacy: How-Tos
8:00 pm FHS Varsity Football: v Braintree 11-05-21
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = Thursday
8:00 am Conservation Commission: 08-04-22
2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 08-04-22
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
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| Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) |
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
Franklin Cultural District: #arts happen here!
The weather is scheduled to turn for the better (so long heat wave) and in time for more #artshappenhere events in Franklin.
Thursday, August 11
6:00pm - Dave Penza (live music) (La Cantina Winery)
6:00pm - Dave Penza (live music) (La Cantina Winery)
Friday, August 12
1:00pm - Book Sale (Public Library)
2:00pm - Farmers Market (Town Common)
3:00pm - Concerts on the Common: Pub Kings (Town Common)
4:00pm - Food truck Pangea Cuisine (Town Common)
4:30pm - Raina's Plate (food truck) (67 Degrees Brewery)
5:30pm - Concerts on the Common: It's a "J" Thing (Town Common)
6:00pm - David Rak Music (67 Degrees Brewery)
6:00pm - Fourtet (live music) (La Cantina Winery)
8:00pm - Movie Night: "Moana" (Town Common)
1:00pm - Book Sale (Public Library)
2:00pm - Farmers Market (Town Common)
3:00pm - Concerts on the Common: Pub Kings (Town Common)
4:00pm - Food truck Pangea Cuisine (Town Common)
4:30pm - Raina's Plate (food truck) (67 Degrees Brewery)
5:30pm - Concerts on the Common: It's a "J" Thing (Town Common)
6:00pm - David Rak Music (67 Degrees Brewery)
6:00pm - Fourtet (live music) (La Cantina Winery)
8:00pm - Movie Night: "Moana" (Town Common)
Saturday, August 13
9:00am- Book Sale (Public Library)
10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
10:30am – Will Parker Concert (live music) (Public Library)
1;00pm - Bag Sale (Public Library)
9:00am- Book Sale (Public Library)
10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
10:30am – Will Parker Concert (live music) (Public Library)
1;00pm - Bag Sale (Public Library)
4:00pm - Emily & Nick (live music) (La Cantina Winery)
6:00pm - Patrick Durkin Music (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)
6:00pm - Patrick Durkin Music (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)
Sunday, August 14
Caribbean Press (time to be confirmed, possible appearance at 67 Degrees)
1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
1:15pm - Second Sunday Speaker: Firestorm: A Childhood Amidst the Ruins of War (Historical Museum)
Caribbean Press (time to be confirmed, possible appearance at 67 Degrees)
1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
1:15pm - Second Sunday Speaker: Firestorm: A Childhood Amidst the Ruins of War (Historical Museum)
Tuesday, August 16
6:30pm - Documentary Film: Love Between the Covers (2015)
6:30pm - Documentary Film: Love Between the Covers (2015)
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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)
Find the full calendar https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html
If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6
The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26
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| Franklin Cultural District: #Artshappenhere |
Annual Report Of The Franklin Police Department - FY 2021
Note: FY 2021 is last year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). The report was prepared to cover the business for the FY 2021 period. This year’s report FY 2022 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022) is in preparation now and is normally available for distribution at the polls for the November election. Updated - 08/15/22
This past year continued to be dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic the department has issued fourteen (14) Special Orders that changed the department’s operations and how we conducted business. Officers were required to wear masks while on calls and eventually at all times. Interactions with the public were decreased in an effort to minimize contact and keep everyone healthy. Traffic enforcement was significantly reduced and officers took many complaints over the phone instead of in person. As the vaccines began to be administered in January/February to public safety personnel and then eventually became available to all, the department slowly began to return to normal operations. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Health Director Cathleen Liberty, Facilities Director Michael D’Angelo and their respective staff for their tireless efforts to keep the town and its employees healthy and safe.
On December 31, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker signed, “An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth”. Commonly referred to as the Massachusetts Police Reform law, the new law includes a certification system for police officers and departments, the creation of a Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) commission, public access to police misconduct investigation records and addresses many other issues. The department has been working to implement the changes as the various commissions formed through the law issue directives. Many of the expected changes the law requires are already included within the standards necessary to meet certification by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. As you will see later in this report, the FPD was awarded certification in May, 2021
I want to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of the men and women of the Franklin Police Department who have continued to demonstrate tremendous fortitude throughout this difficult and tumultuous year. They embraced the challenges and changes with the utmost flexibility and continued the mission of the agency without pause or complaint, providing excellent services to the community.
Even with all the challenges the department needed to deal with, we continued to work diligently to accomplish the goals we set for FY21. Many of our previous and current initiatives are familiar and have been discussed in past annual reports as they are multi-year projects due to the complexity involved in their implementation.
For the past several years, through the combined effort of the Franklin Police Department, Franklin Fire Department, Facilities Department and private vendors; we have been working to expand and modernize our public safety communications system. Enhancements to existing communications facilities and the addition of new locations with modern and advanced equipment throughout town will increase the coverage, reliability and clarity of the system.
These enhancements will increase the communications ability and safety of our public safety personnel while answering calls for service. We expect to go live with the new equipment in October, 2021.
The Franklin/Medway Jail Diversion Program (JDP) was launched in 2018 and pairs specially trained crisis clinicians from Advocates Inc, with police officers at the Franklin/Medway Police Departments. These embedded clinicians respond to calls for service and 911 calls with patrol officers; providing immediate on scene de-escalation, assessment and referrals for individuals in crisis. The primary goal of the JDP is to re-direct individuals committing non- violent offenses out of the criminal justice system and into more appropriate community based behavioral health services.
On-scene crisis interventions are facilitated through the dual response of police and clinician to calls for service involving individuals in crisis. During FY21 the JDP clinician has been involved in 651 on-scene crisis interventions and follow-up referrals from Franklin/Medway police officers. The program successfully diverted twenty-seven (27) low-level offenders from the criminal justice system at an estimated cost savings of $68,040 ($2,520 per arrest event). A secondary goal of the JDP is to decrease the frequency of individuals with behavioral health conditions being referred to the hospital emergency department for psychiatric assessment by the police department. In FY21 seventy-three (73) individuals were diverted from unnecessary emergency department hospital admissions due to the JDP clinician being on scene to facilitate assessment and treatment recommendations at an estimated cost savings of $292,000 ($4,000 per diversion).
The opioid epidemic and drug overdoses continue to impact communities throughout the United States and Franklin. The Department responded to 33 reported overdose incidents during FY21, two (2) of which were fatal. Public Safety personnel administered Narcan at 23 of the incidents. In FY20 there were 23 overdose incidents, two (2) of which were fatal. The FPD continues to collaborate with our federal, state, local and private partners (SAFE Coalition) in our efforts to provide those suffering from substance use disorders with resources, referrals, assistance and support in their efforts to get well.
In 2019 all Norfolk County municipal law enforcement agencies and the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office joined in collaboration to form the Norfolk County Outreach Program (NCOP). This multi-jurisdictional effort includes the real-time reporting of overdoses and the identification of at- risk individuals throughout the county through the use of a shared data management system. Follow-up visits by law enforcement officers and our JDP clinician are conducted within 48 hours of the event to provide individuals with substance use disorder and/or their loved ones with appropriate resource information and access to treatment. In June, 2020, the NCOP expanded its outreach by instituting a cross jurisdictional notification system that shares data with six (6) other counties in eastern Massachusetts. This achievement truly provides the FPD with the ability to have a more complete approach to identifying substance abusers in our community and offer them the services they need. FPD personnel conducted 28 follow-up visits in FY21. Although we responded to 28 reported overdose incidents in Franklin, we received an alert that four (4) Franklin residents had an overdose event in a community outside Norfolk County. Without this initiative we may have never known about these events and would not have been able to offer these Franklin residents resources and services.
In September, 2019, the department initiated a Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Unit within the Operations Division. Using a proven problem-solving method known as SARA (Scanning, Analysis, Response and Assessment), POP officers would identify or be assigned to investigate repetitive calls for service and develop strategies and solutions to reduce/eliminate such problems and behaviors. The POP philosophy is to “think outside the box” in an effort to reduce crime, identify issues at their roots, and improve the quality of life of the residents affected by the problem. The unit has worked on a number of issues over the past year and has had great success solving problems.
On May 20, 2021, after several years of tremendous effort, the Franklin Police Department joined a select group of law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts when we received a Certificate of Certification from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. The Certificate states the following, “Be it hereby known that the Franklin Police Department having taken extraordinary steps to demonstrate its pride and professionalism by living up to a body of critical law enforcement standards in areas of management, operations, and technical support activities to deliver quality police services to its community, is hereby recognized as a certified police agency for a period of three years upon the recommendation of the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission, Inc.”
Accreditation/certification is a self-initiated evaluation process by which police departments strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession, by the profession. These carefully selected standards reflect critical areas of police management, operations and technical support activities. They cover areas such as policy development, emergency response planning, training, communications, property and evidence handling, use of force, vehicular pursuit, prisoner transportation, and holding facilities. The program not only sets standards for the law enforcement profession, but also for the delivery of police services to citizens. There are currently 98 fully accredited and 19 certified law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts. The FPD is diligently working toward attaining full Accreditation.
The Police Report continues with some tables of data and information, please continue to read the report on Page 159
The full Annual Report for 2021 can be found
The collection of Annual Reports can be found online
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| Annual Report Of The Town of Franklin - FY 2021 |
Notice from the Office of the Town Clerk regarding Early In Person Voting
The State Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 6 AM - 8 PM at Franklin High School Gymnasium. In person early voting will take place August 27 - September 2 at the Franklin High School Gymnasium (218 Oak Street) or Franklin Municipal Building (355 East Central Street).
The Franklin High School in person early voting dates are as follows...
August 27 9am-3pm
August 29 9am-3pm
August 30 9am-3pm
August 31 9am-5pm
September 1 9am-3pm
September 2 8am-12pm
You may also vote early in person at the Franklin Municipal Building Monday through Thursday from 8am-4pm and Friday from 8am-1pm, now until September 2nd, 2022.
Shared from Town of Franklin Town Clerk ->
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Franklin Senior Center: summer luau - Aug 12 at 11 AM
Join us this Friday for our August Monthly Party: LUAU STYLE with Live Steel Drum Entertainment with Justin
This Friday, August 12 at 11:00AM.
$6.00 per person. Call to Register 508-520-4945
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| Franklin Senior Center: summer luau - Aug 12 at 11 AM |
#seniorcenter #luau #monthlyparty #seniorswhoparty
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/FranklinSrCntr/status/1556987958548463617
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, Aug 10, 2022
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Wednesday
9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio/FPS Voice – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)
- This slot features recording of two conversations with Franklin's Town Clerk, Nancy Danello. The first covers the State Primary. The second covers the overall election process. (1) https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/multiple-updates-discussed-with-town.html (2) https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/08/nancy-danello-franklin-town-clerk-talks.html
10:00 AM 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points
11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)
This hour features my conversation Ted McIntyre and State Rep Jeff Roy as they help me Make Sense of Climate https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/08/why-you-need-to-call-governor-baker.html
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY
7:30 am It Takes A Village: Lifelong Learning
8:30 am Metrowest Symposium: Sharing Identity on Social Media
10:00 am Care For Ukraine
11:30 am Whole Health Visions: Cheryl Bagangan
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs
12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs
1:00 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Repeat Offenders
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 7
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 1
3:30 pm Veterans' Call: Monuments
4:30 pm Metrowest Symposium: Festivals & Community Celebrations
6:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Apple Crisp
6:30 pm 4th of July 2022: Mo Bounce
9:30 pm Concerts on the Common: Matt Zajac
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY
7:00 am Public School Concert: Lifelong Music Pt. 2 05-14-19
8:30 am FHS Oskey 2022
10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Task Force
11:00 am Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22
1:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Soccer: v Reading High 11-06-21
3:00 pm Battleship Cove: 3D Print Lab
3:30 pm Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 1 03-14-18
5:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Soccer: v Framingham 11-06-21
7:30 pm Public School Event: Concert Hour Day 1
9:30 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey: v Winchester 11-11-21
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY
8:00 am Town Council: 07-20-22
2:00 pm Town Council: 07-20-22
5:45 pm Economic Development: LIVE, Chambers, 878 4094 5089
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
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| Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) |
Franklin Residents: Breaking and Entering Northern Area of Franklin - Police looking for help & information
The Franklin Police are currently investigating several B&E's that occurred in the northern area of town. Bellingham and Medway Police are also investigating several breaks under similar circumstances. We have established a timeline between Saturday, August 6th at 9:00 AM and Sunday, August 7th at 8:00 AM. The vehicles in question are a white Ford Edge and a dark colored SUV; possibly a Jeep Cherokee. The operator is believed to be a male wearing a white shirt that would walk from his vehicle after parking a far distance from the target homes.
We are looking for assistance from town residents and requesting anyone who observed any suspicious activity or anyone with a home security system that recorded useful footage to contact Detective Landry of the Franklin Police Department.
Please remember to lock all doors and windows in your home when you are away and refrain from posting travel details on social media. Have someone check your home while you are away.
Thank you
Detective Landry
508-440-2761
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| Franklin Residents: Breaking and Entering Northern Area of Franklin - Police looking for help & information |
Hold the date -> Franklin.TV Open Board Meeting - Aug 27 - 3 PM
It’s Happening. August 27 at Our Studio
by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 07/24/2022
Join us, Saturday, August 27 at 3:00 PM.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP by August 15 to: info@franklin.tvIt’s open to all Franklin businesses and residents. We’ll meet-and-greet and enjoy the day starting at 3:00 PM. Come hungry and enjoy some great food and music. You can also tour our studios and learn about Franklin●TV and wfpr●fm. We’ll also review our progress during the past year and discuss plans for the future. At our meeting you may cast a vote for new and/or renewing board positions.
Excerpt from FCCA bylaws: (Available on our website.)Section 15. Election of Director by the Membership (a) Members shall be notified by the Clerk of the election of a director by the Membership at the Annual Meeting. Said notice shall be in accordance with the notice provisions of Section 4 of this Article IV. (b) Any eligible voting Member may be nominated for election to the position of Director by:(i) Written notification to the Clerk no later than seven (7) days prior to Annual Meeting; or (ii) By nomination from the floor of the Annual Meeting made and seconded by no less than three (3) eligible voting members.
Thanks to our board members who contribute their time and energy to help make Franklin●TV all that a public access studio can be. If you would like to become involved either as a volunteer or to create your own TV or radio programs at Franklin●TV and wfpr●fm, just send an email to: info@franklin.tv with your contact information. You can also call us to discuss and explore your ideas. 508-541-4118.
Please join us at our Franklin●TV event. Again, it’s Saturday, August 27 starting at 3:00 PM. Our brief open board meeting begins at 4:00 PM. Come meet, greet, and learn all about local TV and radio in Franklin.
See you then.
And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.
And, thank you for watching.
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.
And, thank you for watching.
DPW Notice - Paving Schedule for August 9, 2022 (East Central, Ruggles, Lewis, corner of Chestnut & RT 140)
DPW Notice - Paving Schedule for August 9, 2022
Will impact East Central Street, Ruggles Street and Lewis Street.
Notice from the Franklin Department of Public Works
Paving will begin on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 and will impact the areas from East Central Street to Ruggles Street and Lewis Street.
Delays are anticipated. Please seek alternate routes and proceed with caution in construction areas.
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/dpw-notice-paving-schedule-august-9th-2022
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| DPW Notice - Paving Schedule for August 9, 2022 (East Central, Ruggles, Lewis, corner of Chestnut & RT 140) |
Annual Town Report Of The Town Clerk’s Office - FY 2021
Note: FY 2021 is last year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). The report was prepared to cover the business for the FY 2021 period. This year’s report FY 2022 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022) is in preparation now and is normally available for distribution at the polls for the November election. Updated - 08/15/22
The Town Clerk’s Office is dedicated to providing friendly, professional service to all our residents. I am extremely proud of how well my staff performs and responds to the demands of the office. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Dyan Fitzgerald to the department. Dyan, a resident of Bellingham, has joined us from Holliston, MA., where she had been the Assistant Town Clerk for 20 years. Please stop in and welcome Dyan to Franklin!!
The Town Clerk’s Office is also very fortunate to employ Susan Merullo, Elections Administrator. Susan has been an a tremendous asset to our office since 2017.
HISTORY TOWN CLERK OFFICE
“The office of town clerk is probably one of the oldest in municipal government. It appears in the Bible in the Book of Acts, Chapter 19, and verse 35 written in A.D. 58. A search of other early written records would no doubt reveal other instances in which mention of this office appears. In Massachusetts, town clerk was one of the earliest offices established in colonial towns although the title itself may not appear in the earliest records. The settlers were well aware of the importance of keeping accurate written records of their agreements and actions including grants of land, regulations governing animals, the collection of taxes and the
expenditure of town funds. If your town records date back to the first half of the 17th century, you will probably find that a person was given the specific duty of writing down town orders and will see many entries in the record which include the words “It is ordered by the inhabitants,” or some similar words. Indeed, in Massachusetts, the town clerk was one of the earliest offices established in colonial towns.”
ONLINE SERVICE
Our online service continues to be a success!! This has been a convenient way for the public to request and purchase birth, death and marriage certificates especially during the year of covid. This improvement has also been a great success for our dog owners who need to license a new dog or who must renew their yearly dog license. These document requests and payment options are available online anytime of the day, 7 days a week. To use this service, visit the town website at franklinma.gov and follow to the Town Clerk’s Department.
NOTARY SERVICE
The Town Clerk’s office provides Notary services as a courtesy. Residents seeking Notary Services should call the Town Clerk’s office prior to their visit to ensure that the Notary is available. The following guidelines will be followed in the provision of Notary Service: - Notary Services are available during the normal business hours. Notary Service is provided on a first-come, first service basis. Please be sure to have valid government-issued photo id if you are seeking this service. Remember, the document must be signed in the presence of the Notary.
Notary Service is not available for deeds, mortgages, wills, living wills, living trusts, power of attorneys, or depositions. Certain public documents cannot be copied and notarized. For more information please visit our website. The Town Clerk , Nancy Danello, and Deputy Town Clerk, Dyan Fitzgerald are also Commissioners to qualify, which means if you are a Notary Public or a Justice of the Peace and need to be given the “Oath of Office” we can perform this service for you free of charge.
There is a whole lot more to the Town Clerk's section of this annual report but the tables and other info were not easily copied for this format.
Find the remainder of the Town Clerk's report on page 19
The full Annual Report for 2021 can be found
The collection of Annual Reports can be found online
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| Annual Report Of The Town of Franklin - FY 2021 |
Annual Report Of The Town Attorney - FY 2021
Note: FY 2021 is last year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). The report was prepared to cover the business for the FY 2021 period. This year’s report FY 2022 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022) is in preparation now and is normally available for distribution at the polls for the November election. Updated - 08/15/22
The Town of Franklin has an in-house attorney, Mark G. Cerel. Attorney Cerel has an office in the Town Administration Offices and works three days a week. In addition, he attends regular Council sessions and meetings of town boards and commissions on an as- needed basis. His responsibilities include providing legal advice to the Town Administrator and other town officials, review and drafting of legal documents, and representation of the town in negotiations and litigation other than labor-related matters. Having an in-house attorney has enabled the town officials to obtain prompt legal review and advice; it has also expedited various town projects which require legal input.
During the past year, Attorney Cerel has continued to be successful not only in resolving actual litigation but also in resolving disputes prior to litigation on terms favorable to the Town; he has also continued to draft proposed legislation and to be involved in contract and real estate negotiation. In addition, he has continued to work with the staff to review and update the Town’s zoning and general bylaws. During the COVID-19 Pandemic Attorney Cerel worked remotely and attended Town Council and all other relevant meetings using the “Zoom” virtual platform. He was readily available to all Town Staff throughout the pandemic for legal advice and guidance. The Town Attorney also played a key role in ensuring that the Town accurately exercised its Right of First Refusal on Chapter 61A land that became available for purchase near Maple Hill at the end of FY21.
Our in-house attorney plays an essential role in limiting the town's legal exposure. He assists in resolving matters before they result in legal action and he provides the town with a strong legal presence that discourages people from frivolous lawsuits.
The Town Attorney represents the town and is only available to consult with individual residents if the Town Administrators prior approval is obtained.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Cerel,
Town Attorney
The full Annual Report for 2021 can be found
The collection of Annual Reports can be found online
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| Annual Report Of The Town Attorney - FY 2021 |
Annual Report of the Norfolk County Registry Of Deeds - FY 2021
Note: FY 2021 is last year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). The report was prepared to cover the business for the FY 2021 period. This year’s report FY 2022 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022) is in preparation now and is normally available for distribution at the polls for the November election. Updated - 08/15/22
Fiscal year 2021 was an extraordinary year in all our lives. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted all of us. Certainly, some were impacted worse than others. Lives were disrupted with some losing loved ones, small businesses scaled back or in worse case scenarios closed for good. While many sectors of our economy were impacted by the pandemic, I am pleased to report the Norfolk County real estate economy was able to remain viable following the COVID-10 state of emergency declared by Governor Baker on March 10, 2020.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, I am proud to report the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds was able to remain open operationally for the recording of land documents. While the Registry of Deeds building was closed to the general public, Registry personnel were able to continue recording land documents. We utilized social distancing, split work shifts, remote access, and used our disaster recovery site to record documents. We also utilized electronic recording for our institutional users such as banks, law firms and title companies. In addition to electronic recording, users had the option to submit documents via regular mail, Federal Express or placing documents in our drop-off box located just outside our main entrance at 649 High Street, Dedham, MA.
The results of these efforts were a viable Norfolk County real estate market benefitting sellers and buyers of real estate, lending institutions, the real estate legal community and all others with a vested interest in the local real estate economy. By keeping the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds open, recording fees collected were forwarded to the state and county helping to pay for important public initiatives including education, health care, and police and fire expenses. We are so thankful to our partners in the real estate community and most importantly the citizens of Norfolk County. Their patience with us has been critical to the Registry of Deeds being able to continue its core mission of recording land documents in a safe and secure environment.
The Registry of Deeds is the principal office for real property records in Norfolk County. Its mission is to maintain and provide for accurate, reliable and accessible land records to all residents and businesses of Norfolk County. The Registry receives and records hundreds of thousands of documents annually. It houses more than 8.5 million land documents dating back to 1793 when George Washington was President. The Registry is a primary and indispensable resource for title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipal officials, homeowners, title examiners, real estate attorneys, genealogists and others with a need for land record information.
The Registry operates under the supervision of the elected Register, William P. O’Donnell, who has held the position since 2002.
2020 Registry Achievements
• The Registry of Deeds Customer Service and Copy Center continues to provide residents and businesses with quality service. These requests included the filing of Homesteads, accessing deeds, verifying recorded property documents and assisting those in need of obtaining a mortgage discharge notice. Customers can contact the Customer Service and Copy Center at 781-461-6101, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30AM to 4:30PM.
• In calendar Fiscal Year 2021, the Registry collected approximately $81 million in revenue.
• The Registry of Deeds continues to address legislative issues to benefit consumers. In 2021, we again filed legislation to advocate for mortgage transparency by requiring mortgage assignments be recorded at the appropriate Registry of Deeds.
• This year saw a record number of electronic recording filers, approximately 2,320. The Registry is approaching 75% of its recorded land recordings being done electronically.
• Norfolk Registry of Deeds was the first registry in Massachusetts to record electronically registered land documents. This started in the Land Court section of the Registry of Deeds in 2017 and was crucial in remaining operational during the coronavirus pandemic. At the onset of the pandemic, 25% of the registered land documents recorded were done via electronic recording which has grown now to 60%.
• In Fiscal Year 2021 we hit a record high of recording our 38,889 Registry of Deeds book. For the sake of security and redundancy, we store our documents 3 different ways: hard copy, electronically and by microfiche.
• In Fiscal Year 2021, the Registry processed over 13,000 Homestead applications. The law Chapter 188 (M.G.L.) provides limited protection of one’s primary residence against unsecured creditor claims.
• The internet library of images, accessible to the public through the Registry of Deeds’ online research system at www.norfolkdeeds.org continues to expand. Today, all documents dating back to the first ones recorded in 1793 are available for viewing.
• Our website includes a genealogy page and a section highlighting land records of notable people – United States Presidents, military heroes, noted authors and leaders in their fields of education, environment and the law
• The Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org routinely updates the public on such news as real estate statistics, answers to frequently asked questions, along with detailing of our consumer programs. Additionally, we also write a monthly column for various Norfolk County newspapers and their online websites. We also distribute a weekly press release to alert residents of the latest happenings as well as to remind them of our consumer services.
• The Registry’s free Consumer Notification Service allows any county resident to opt in to this free notification service and be alerted when any land document – fraudulent or otherwise – is recorded against their name. For more information, please see our website at: www.norfolkdeeds.org. Currently, over 2,130 Norfolk County residents are signed up for this program.
• Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Registry was forced to suspend its community outreach programs. We are hopeful that in 2021 we will be able to visit each of the Norfolk County communities for office hours and renew our partnerships with Interfaith Social Services of Quincy, Father Bill’s & MainSpring of Quincy, the VA Boston Healthcare System, Voluntary Service Program and InnerCity Weightlifting on our ‘Suits for Success’ program, and New Life Furniture Bank of MA in Walpole to assist those who are in need of household items. We also look forward to renewing our Annual Holiday Food Drive and Toys for Tots campaigns in 2021.
Franklin Real Estate Activity Report July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021
During Fiscal Year 2021, Franklin real estate activity saw decreases in both total sales volume and average sales price.
There was an 29% increase in documents recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds for Franklin in Fiscal Year 2021, resulting in an increase of 2,236 documents from 7,630 to 9,866.
The total volume of real estate sales in Franklin during Fiscal Year 2021 was $46,187,001, a 15% decrease from Fiscal Year 2020. The average sale price of homes and commercial property was also down 18% in Franklin. The average sale was $775.828.23.
The number of mortgages recorded (2,763) on Franklin properties in Fiscal Year 2021 was up 37% from the previous Fiscal Year. Also, total mortgage indebtedness decreased 40% to $1,127,005,689 during the same period.
There were 2 foreclosure deeds filed in Franklin during Fiscal Year 2021, representing a 78% decrease from the previous year when there were 9 foreclosure deeds filed.
Homestead activity increased 13% in Franklin during Fiscal Year 2021 with 705 homesteads filed compared to 626 in Fiscal Year 2020.
Finally, our objective at the Registry will always be to maintain, secure, accurate and accessible land records for the residents and businesses of Norfolk County. It is a privilege to serve you.
Respectfully submitted by,
William P. O’Donnell
Norfolk County Register of Deeds
The full Annual Report for 2021 can be found
The collection of Annual Reports can be found online
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| Annual Report Of The Town of Franklin - FY 2021 |
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