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Chocolate Factory Tours for kids available
Show them how to make it first hand with Wright Old School Production Tours!
This fun 45 minute Factory Tour will take them through the process & they’ll even leave with a treat or two.
Tap the link in our bio to schedule yours today!"
Via Escape Into Fiction
We made the month goals and a bit more!! Thank you #franklinma for ALL of your #shoplocal support and showing the love!
We are grateful to be in a wonderful #community and hope to continue to see the goal met each month going forward!!
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| "Keeping the bookstore here" status for August 2023! |
FM #1058 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1058 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Raye Lynn Mercer, founder and Director of the Franklin School for Performing Arts, and special guest FSPA alum Susana Cordon. We recorded this in the Franklin Public Radio Studio on Thursday, June 1, 2023.
Yes, this sat in the archives for a while due to some unforeseen events that held up the publication. Aside from the future view, now in the past, the pathways talked of still apply.
Susana tells her amazing story following her path through FSPA to Carnegie-Mellon and is looking forward to an exciting year with a performance in Violet (with FPAC), an alumni show with the Electric Youth European tour this summer, fall semester in Wales, followed by final semester and graduation in 2024. Definitely a commencement of whatever her future holds for her.
We cover a lot of ground in about 34 minutes with Raye Lynn and Susana.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1058-fspa-fun-pathways-06-01-23--------------
Tickets for Violet are available -> https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1597
Susana was quoted in a article about Carnegie-Mellon https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/carnegie-mellon-university-school-of-drama-star-factory-patrick-wilson-susan-tsu-john-wells-myhala-herrold-purnell-center/
FPSA post about Susan’s acceptance at Carnegie-Mellon
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fspa-senior-accepted-to-prestigious.html
Original conversation with Raye Lynn as we spend 38 minutes talking about 38 Main St and the evolution of FSPA to FPAC, THE BLACK BOX, et al …
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/09/raye-lynn-mercer-shares-some-stories-of.html
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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!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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Susana in the FPAC production of Tartuffe at THE BLACK BOX |
Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell reported that Norfolk County recordings indicate average property sales prices rose to a record high for the month of August as compared to previous years. This increase can likely be attributed to a limited inventory of new housing up for sale and a lack of existing houses on the market.
“Average property prices in August are up significantly this year compared to the same month in previous years,” stated Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell. “Seasoned homebuyers and those looking to purchase their first home are faced with the challenge of property values that are 19% higher than 2022 prices, 34% higher than 2021 prices, and 37% higher than 2020 prices, in addition to a mortgage interest rate that for some exceeds 7%.”
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| Average August Property Prices Reach Record Highs |
The average sale price of commercial and residential properties for August 2023 was $1,212,694, a 19% increase compared to August 2022 but a decrease of 17% from July 2023. The total dollar volume of commercial and residential sales is down, decreasing 6% from last year and 12% from last month.
“Looking at the numbers from August 2022, 2021, and 2020 shows that average property prices fell seasonally by 12% to 17% in August compared to July,” noted Register O'Donnell. “This means that while prices remain high, the seasonal fluctuations in the housing market month over month have remained constantly steady when you compare them to the ebbs and flows of previous years.”
Notwithstanding the increase in average property sales prices, the total number of deeds recorded for August 2023, which reflects both commercial and residential real estate sales and transfers, was 1,478, down 12% from August 2022 but up 16% from July.
“Overall real estate activity is on a downward trend compared to the previous year, driven by two likely factors: limited inventory and high interest rates, resulting in a reduction of the number of deeds and mortgages, which make up a large portion of the total document volume at the Registry.” Register O'Donnell continued. “A slight increase in the number of deeds from last July may suggest that some sellers are taking advantage of higher property values, increasing the number of existing homes on the market.”
The Registry of Deeds recorded 9,527 documents in August 2023. This was 18% less than in August 2022 but an 11% increase compared to July 2023.
Register O'Donnell noted, “Higher mortgage interest rates have an impact on the number of mortgages and deeds recorded at the Registry. Higher interest rates affect seasoned homebuyers' eagerness to refinance, which means fewer mortgages. It also affects a homeowner’s willingness to sell, which results in fewer homes on the market that can be bought. Higher interest rates also impact buyers.”
For the month of August, lending activity overall continued to decline from last year. A total of 1,328 mortgages were recorded, which is 33% less than last year but 6% more than last month.
“In addition to fewer people refinancing, the decline in lending activity can also be attributed to fewer first-time home loans,” said Register O'Donnell “High property prices and increased mortgage interest rates make it more challenging for first-time homebuyers to afford a mortgage and to keep up with payments.”
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds continues to closely monitor the foreclosure market. In August 2023, there were 4 foreclosure deeds recorded as a result of mortgage foreclosures taking place in Norfolk County, whereas in August 2022, there were 7 recorded. Additionally, this month, there were 25 notices to foreclose, the first step in the foreclosure process, less than the 33 recorded in August 2022.
“We hope to see this trend continue into the fall season, especially as the weather gets cooler. With that said, we cannot forget that foreclosure activity has a human face associated with it, and there are still a number of our neighbors who have lost their homes, and even more are dangerously close to losing their homes,” said Register O'Donnell. “I would urge anyone struggling to pay their mortgage or who knows someone who is struggling to contact one of the non-profit organizations listed on our website, www.norfolkdeeds.org.
For the past several years, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has partnered with Quincy Community Action Programs (617-479-8181 x376) and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions (508-587-0950) to help anyone facing challenges paying their mortgage. Another option for homeowners is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400.
Register O’Donnell concluded, “We have seen some increases in the number of property sales and in the total number of documents compared to last month, but with record property prices for this month and a limited housing inventory, we are seeing significant decreases in overall real estate activity compared to 2022.”
To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, “like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/norfolkdeeds. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @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.
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FM #1059 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1059 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee (EDC) held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 in the Council Chambers.
The EDC talked about snow removal on a hot Wednesday in the Franklin Council Chambers for their regularly scheduled meeting.
The proposed reintroduction of the sidewalk snow removal bylaw which was rescinded in 2017 was initially discussed at the August EDC meeting at which one member was absent. All four participated this time, 3 present in Chambers, one via remote connection.
That the bylaw hadn't been present for 6 years apparently had wrought enough interest to make it to the Council's objectives, hence this discussion.
The committee could have decided to do more research before forwarding to the Council, or done nothing (effectively continuing the status quo of the past 6 years). They did end up moving it forward without recommendation for a full Council discussion. Some additional research will be done by Town staff in prep for a future Council meeting.
Quick recap:
What some folks would want is for the Town to clear the sidewalks, however the DPW is not staffed to do this and their other priorities. The community (commercial, retail and residents) should be able to help which is what the proposal lays out. It will create some inequity and hardship particularly among some of the elderly and disabled residents.
What kind of community and area do we want to live in is the real question?
There are pros and cons, and no easy answer. Where is Solomon when we need him?
The recording of the meeting runs just about 70 minutes. Audio file ->
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1059-franklin-ma-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-09-0623Full agenda doc ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_agenda_9.6.23.pdf
Franklin TV Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/DLFDj9HEyRU?si=4_o_8sYPiFQqWhLZ&t=105
My notes taken via Twitter and captured via a single PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rOTVhHzvrppkmJB3HmmyqbJHaq6LTXj7/view?usp=drive_link
--------------
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"
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| Proposed sidewalk snow removal map |
Via Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC):
"Just a quick reminder, we have an amazing raffle coming up, $10 per ticket for 32 chances to win, and you can purchase it online from the link in the first comment, or by going to our webpage, www.franklinsepac.org.
Seriously, who doesn't want a personal visit with police pup Ben Franklin, or a couple of tickets to Santa's Village, or a signed Red Sox baseball...I could go on but there are too many to list!"
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| SEPAC amazing raffle calendar for October 2023 |
"The Franklin Community is invited to attend our annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 9 AM on September 11th, 2023 at the Franklin Senior Center.
The program will run about 30 minutes, and retired New York City Police Sergeant Paul Faenza will serve as our keynote speaker."
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| The Franklin Community is invited to the 9/11 ceremony at the Senior Center |
