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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
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"Two weeks ... I’ll be back @ La Cantina Winery from 6:00 - 8:30 PM! I had such a blast last time and I’m really looking forward to performing there once again!"
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Jamie Barrett at LaCantina Winery - July 28 at 6 PM |
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Planning for Medicare |
BlueCross BlueShield of Massachusetts is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® Registered Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. © 2016 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc., and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO Blue, Inc.
Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell appeared as a guest speaker at the Norwood Council on Aging building June 12, as part of his ongoing efforts to bring the Registry of Deeds directly to the residents of Norfolk County.
"We appreciate that the register was able to come and speak about homestead protection and deed scams, it’s important that seniors and the public stay informed," said Nanci Kelleher, Program Director for the Norwood Senior Center. "I wish more people knew about this information, especially now that there are scams out there taking advantage of people."
Register O’Donnell gave an overview of the Registry of Deeds, which is the principal office for real property records in Norfolk County, cataloging and housing more than 10 million land documents dating back to 1793.
"I welcome any time I can get out into the community and have the opportunity to speak with people about some issues that homeowners might face," said Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell. "It is especially meaningful, having grown up in Norwood, to come and speak at the Norwood Senior Center and provide valuable information to our seniors who may be vulnerable to scams and frauds."
Register O’Donnell spent time warning those attending the event about an ongoing deed scam that is being perpetrated against all citizens of Norfolk County, young and old. Norfolk County residents continue to receive direct-mail solicitations offering them a certified copy of their property deed for exorbitant fees. The average price for a mailed homeowner’s certified deed by the Registry, usually two pages, is $3.00.
Register O’Donnell Appeared as Guest Speaker at Norwood Council on Aging
"Don’t fall victim to this deed scam. These companies are making outrageous profits. If a consumer knew that the Registry of Deeds would provide them a certified copy of a property deed for a charge of only $1.00 per page, plus an additional $1.00 for postage, they would never agree to pay these companies such an outrageous fee for service," stated Register O'Donnell.
Register O’Donnell discussed the advantages of the Massachusetts Homestead Act. The Homestead Act is an important consumer protection tool for homeowners, as it provides limited protection against the forced sale of an individual’s primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000.
"Homeowners can have peace of mind knowing that with a Declaration of Homestead recorded at the Registry of Deeds, their primary residence cannot be forcibly sold to satisfy most debts. This is especially important when you consider that for most of us, a home is our most valuable asset," said O’Donnell.
The Register also reminded attendees about the importance of filing a mortgage discharge after their mortgage has been paid off. A discharge is a document (typically one or two pages) issued by the lender, usually with a title such as "Discharge of Mortgage" or "Satisfaction of Mortgage".
"When a mortgage has been paid off, a mortgage discharge document needs to be recorded with the Registry of Deeds to clear a homeowner’s property title relative to that loan," said O’Donnell.
The Register elaborated on mortgage discharges for the attendees, who seemed particularly interested in the topic.
"In some cases," noted O’Donnell, "discharges are filed directly by banks or settlement closing attorneys with the Registry as part of a property sale or as a result of a refinancing transaction. In other instances, the mortgage discharge is sent to the property owner, who then becomes responsible for making sure the document is recorded. Whether or not a discharge is recorded by the lending institution or the individual property owner, it is important that the property owner makes sure all necessary documents have been recorded at the Registry of Deeds."
Concluding his remarks, O’Donnell stated, "I first want to thank those who attended the event. They asked great questions, and their attendance was greatly appreciated. I also want to thank Kerri McCarthy, [Executive Director] for inviting me to speak, Nanci Kelleher, [Program Director] for helping coordinate the event, the members of the Norwood Council on Aging board, and all the staff who do an outstanding job advocating for and serving the seniors of Norwood."
If you would like to stay up-to-date on upcoming Registry of Deeds events, programs, and real estate information, you can sign up for our Registry email updates at www.norfolkdeeds.org, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/norfolkdeeds, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/norfolkdeeds.
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities, and others with a need for secure, accurate, and 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 at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.
There is lots happening this week at the Franklin Senior Center!
Explore Nantucket, enjoy a luau, practice yoga, learn what to expect when enrolling in Medicare, and so much more!!!!
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Senior Center events for the week of July 17, 2023 |
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Senior Center events July 17, 2023 |
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Senior Center events July 18, 2023 |
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Senior Center events July 19, 2023 |
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Senior Center events July 20, 2023 |
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Senior Center events July 21, 2023 |
Residents are reminded that the Franklin Health Department has COVID-19 self test kits available. Residents can call the Public Health Nurse at (508) 613-1341 to check for availability and coordinate curbside pick up outside of the Senior Center. https://t.co/rLrMz5RuUZShared from -> https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1680578209543225344
Town of Franklin, MA: COVID test kits available |
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
a. May 25, 2023b. June 7, 2023c. June 21, 2023
a. Agricultural Commission
i. Nick Capoccia
b. Cultural District Committee
i. Sue Cassii. Patrick Conlan
c. Design Review Commission
i. Amy Adamsii. Jim Bartro
d. Finance Committee
i. Lauren Nagel
e. Franklin Cultural Council
i. Carol Fletcherii. John Ristainoiii. Jean Wolf
a. License Modification - Change of Officers/Directors/LLC Managers: Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc., d/b/a Shaw’s, Located at 255 East Central Street
a. Discussion: Legislative Delegation: Senator Rebecca Rausch, Representative Jeffrey Roy
a. Capital Budget Subcommitteeb. Economic Development Subcommitteec. Budget Subcommitteed. GATRA Advisory Boarde. Master Plan Committeef. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee
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FHS Panthers |
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Biennial Town Election 1 |
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Biennial Town Election 2 |
Via Franklin Police Dept:
"Please join us in congratulating all of the graduates of the 2023 Leadership Camp"
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Franklin Police graduate students from the "2023 Leadership Academy" |
"On July 5, 2023—160 years after the Battle of Gettysburg—the unthinkable happened.We came to @Gettysburg to launch a movement, bringing together 650 conservatives and liberals on equal terms to clarify differences, find common ground where it exists, and strengthen our nation.It was hard to pull off.How do you bring people of opposing viewpoints together during such an intense time of division?We leaned on a small, scrappy staff and a dedicated group of volunteers who put everything they had into making the convention happen.And then, it did."
Read the full thread in this PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/188dE76N8YydAEV743jbqwyZ-aDyTAgwb/view?usp=drive_link
witf.org, the public news service for 17 communities in Central PA provides some video of some of the conventions goers. -> https://www.witf.org/2023/07/14/hundreds-gather-at-gettysburg-college-to-bridge-political-divides-through-constructive-conversations/
For more about Braver Angels, the group that organized this event -> https://braverangels.org/our-mission/
"We were led by our two co-Chairs, Erica Manuel ( @ericut ), CEO & Executive Director of @InstLocGov and Wilk Wilkinson (@wilksopinion ), host of @DeratetheHate podcast" |
Wednesday, August 9,Thursday, August 10 orFriday, August 11 between 9 AM and NOON.
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Get rid of gently used, CLEAN clothing for a worthy FUSF Savers FUNDrive |
a. Historical Materials & Studies on Davis-Thayeri. Study for the Davis-Thayer Elementary School (2013) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2013_davis_thayer_study_final.pdfii. Franklin School Department Studies
1. Townwide Comprehensive Facilities Assessment Report (2020) https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/franklin_comprehensive_facilities_assessment_-_final_updated_12.1.2020_1.pdf2. School Department Davis-Thayer Website (2021) https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis