Monday, August 11, 2025

Norfolk County Real Estate Market Shows Continued Growth in Summer

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell reported that real estate activity in Norfolk County for the month of July 2025 showed strong growth across several key indicators, including total property transactions and mortgage activity, when compared to both June 2025 and July 2024.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds recorded a total of 10,696 documents in July 2025. This represents a 9% increase from July 2024 and an 18% increase compared to June 2025.

“In July, we saw a continued upward trend in overall recording activity,” stated Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell. “This increase in total documents reflects a robust level of engagement in the real estate market across Norfolk County.”
Norfolk County Real Estate Market Shows Continued Growth in Summer
Norfolk County Real Estate Market Shows Continued Growth in Summer

The total number of deeds recorded for July 2025, which includes both commercial and residential real estate sales and transfers, was 1,676, up 10% from July 2024 and 14% from the previous month. Looking at just real estate sales, 941 properties were sold in July, representing a 5% increase compared to both the same time last year and the previous month.

“The increase in the total number of deeds recorded compared to last month and last year is a strong indicator of sustained real estate activity,” noted Register O’Donnell. “It shows that buyers and sellers continue to move forward with property transactions despite broader economic conditions.”

The average sale price of commercial and residential properties in July 2025 was $1,353,367, an increase of 41% from July 2024 and 17% from June 2025. The total dollar volume of commercial and residential sales in July was $1.27 billion, a 48% increase compared to July of last year.

“The continued rise in average sale prices and total sales volume highlights the strength of the market,” noted Register O’Donnell. “These figures suggest that buyers remain active and willing to invest in Norfolk County properties.”

Lending activity also saw a notable increase. A total of 1,695 mortgages were recorded in July 2025, up 17% from July 2024 and a 22% increase from June 2025.

“The sharp rise in mortgage recordings is a clear indicator of increased borrowing,” stated Register O’Donnell. “This trend reflects both the rising property values and the willingness of buyers to secure financing in today’s market.”

Foreclosure activity in July 2025 remained relatively low. There were 2 foreclosure deeds recorded as a result of mortgage foreclosures taking place in Norfolk County, down from the 7 recorded in July of 2024. However, 32 notices to foreclose were filed, an increase from the 25 notices recorded in July of last year.

“The reduction in foreclosure deeds is encouraging, but the increase in notices to foreclose reminds us that some homeowners are still facing financial challenges,” said Register O’Donnell. “We urge anyone struggling with mortgage payments to reach out for help.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds continues to partner with local non-profits such as Quincy Community Action Programs (617-479-8181 x376) and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions (508-587-0950), as well as the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400, to assist residents in need.

Register O’Donnell concluded, “The July 2025 data reflects a robust and active real estate market in Norfolk County. As we move through the summer, we remain optimistic about continued growth and stability in the months ahead.”

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.org.

Election Collection - 2025

The collection of posts and information leading to the Biennial Election for Franklin, MA scheduled for November 4, 2025. Most recent up top, older posts as you scroll down.



Biennial Election Candidate Nomination Papers Filing - Aug 8, 2025

Annual Report of the Town of Franklin Board of Health - FY 2024

Voices of Franklin: Melanie Hamblen calls out misinformation

Annual Report of the Town of Franklin Board of Assessors - FY 2024

Biennial election Candidate Nomination Papers Filing - Aug 6, 2025

Annual Report of the Town of Franklin Planning Board - FY 2024

Annual Report of the Town of Franklin School Committee - FY 2024

Franklin Town Clerk walks us through the timeline for the Biennial Election Nov 4, 2025 (audio)

Nomination papers available

Annual Report of the Town of Franklin Town Council - FY 2024

Annual Report of the Town of Franklin Town Clerk’s Office - FY 2024

Election Collection - 2025
Election Collection - 2025

Franklin gets additional ARPA funds via Norfolk County

The Norfolk County Commissioners voted at their regular weekly meeting today held in Dedham to approve two (2) ARPA awards to the Town of Franklin and to the city of Quincy as part of the second round of ARPA grants. 

The American Rescue Plan of Action (ARPA) was voted by Congress in 2021. Norfolk County received over $137,000,000 from the ARPA Act which was distributed to the twenty eight (28) cities and towns in Norfolk County by the County Commissioners over the past several years. 

Under the Second Round of ARPA, towns that had an excess leftover from any grant in the first round could re-apply to use said funds on projects for their town in round two.  To qualify for a second round grant, towns had to complete and file an application with the county no later than Dec. 31, 2024.

Franklin was awarded a grant in the amount of  $86,000.00 for additional stormwater management improvements. This excess money came from a previous award to Franklin for Mental Health. 

Quincy was awarded a grant in the amount of $12,900 for additional infrastructure improvements. The excess money came from a previous grant in the amount of  $2,300,000.00.

Several other towns are currently under review at this time.

Congratulations to the Franklin and Quincy for their diligence and efforts in obtaining additional funds for their community.

The most recent Franklin First (volume 9) is ready

You can read the one page newsletter here ->

The most recent Franklin First (volume 9) is ready
The most recent Franklin First (volume 9) is ready




Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday, Aug 11, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday - Franklin Public Radio
wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday - Franklin Public Radio


Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule

Franklin TV schedule for Monday, Aug 11, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = MONDAY
7:00 am Riffin' on Main Street: Jacob Juncker
8:00 am SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins
9:00 am 4th of July 2025: GQ and the Lady
11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Fish
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Scones
12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Party Chicken
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Deep Dish
2:02 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 3
3:02 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 10
4:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 2
5:30 pm United Methodist Church: Lola Richardson
6:30 pm Horace Mann PSA
7:00 pm Frank Presents: Cliff Winters
8:30 pm Concerts on the Common: The Reminisants

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = MONDAY

8:30 am SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins
9:30 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 2
10:30 am Cultural Council: BT ALC Big Band
12:00 pm FHS Spring Jazz 2025
1:30 pm All-Town Showcase 2024: Band
3:00 pm FHS Varsity Baseball v Bridgewater Raynham 04-11-25
6:00 pm Franklin Fury Softball v Dedham 07-23-25
9:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Legally Blonde

  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = MONDAY

8:00 am Planning Board 07-28-25
2:00 pm Planning Board 07-28-25
7:00 pm  Finance Committee  CHAMBERS  814 2213 4939

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 


Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Sunday, August 10, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, August 10, 2025 ??

Sunday, August 10

11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)
1:00pm 24th annual Bill Capen Memorial Golf Tournament (Wentworth Hills Country Club)
1:00pm Sunday Fundays (Fairmount Fruit Farm)
1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
1:15pm Second Sunday Speaker -A Deep Dive Into the Rayner Postcard Collection
 (Franklin Historical Museum)
7:00pm Sunday at Sunset (St John's Episcopal Church)


** NO Town Meetings today   **


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


What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 
Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

Franklin, MA: Town Council - agenda for Meeting August 13, 2025

Franklin Town Council
Agenda & Meeting Packet
August 13, 2025  6:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers 

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others
b. Chair to identify members participating remotely
c. Upcoming Town Sponsored Community Events

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Council cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Council may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the Town Administrator from correcting a misstatement of fact

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None Scheduled

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Franklin, MA: Town Council - agenda for Meeting August 13, 2025
Franklin, MA: Town Council - agenda for Meeting August 13, 2025
a. Proclamation: John “Jay Bird” Simons
b. Proclamation: Saumy Jani & Andrew Bairos


5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Appointments and Reappointments of Town Board and Committee Members
i. See “Committee Appointments” in packet for member names  
https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6509/5a-Appointments

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM - None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
a. Pledge of License of a Section 12 All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License: Santa Fe Burrito Grill, LLC, Located at 28 West Central Street, Franklin, MA, 02038  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6510/7a---LICENSE-TRANSACTION---Santa-Fe-Burrito-Grill
8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION -

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 25-52: FY26 Budget Amendment (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-52 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6514/9a-LINK-ONLY---NOT-FOR-PDF-PACKET---Budget-Presentation---Fin-Com-Materials-1

b. Resolution 25-53: Acceptance of Gift to the Town of Franklin to Restore Part-Time Health and Wellness Nurse Position  (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-53 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6512/9b-25-53---Donation-for-Senior-Center-Nurse-Salary

c. Resolution 25-54: Approval of the Installation of a Sign on Public Property in Recognition of Nello P. Bassignani (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-54 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6518/9c-25-54---Approval-of-Naming-of-Public-Property-in-Recognition-of-Nello-P-Bassignani

d. Bylaw Amendment 25-942: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic - First Reading  (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 25-942 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6520/9d---25-942---Lewis-Street-Parking-Restrictions

e. Resolution 25-55: Acceptance of Gifts - Senior Center ($1,571), Library ($970), Historical Museum ($90) (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-55 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6517/9e-25-56--Gift-Acceptance---Sr-Ctr-Library

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
a. Franklin Ridge Senior Housing Complex Update
b. National Grid Smart Meter Announcement

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Economic Development Subcommittee
c. Joint Budget Subcommittee
d. Police Station Building Committee
e. GATRA Advisory Board

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. To review and approve minutes from Town Council Executive Sessions. 
b. Exemption #3: Collective Bargaining (The Franklin Police Association) - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares. 
c. Exemption #6: Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Public Body: CSX Land. 
d. Exemption #6: Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Public Body: Other Property. 
e. Exemption #2: Contract negotiations with non-union personnel: Town Administrator.
15. ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting 

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info

Franklin TV: Flying Lights?

Our Main Studio Update

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 08/10/2025

They say ‘Time flies when you’re having fun.’ Our sense of time is suspended when we’re engrossed in activities that we enjoy deeply. When the work is fun? All the more so. It’s five already? Where’d the day go? It’s Friday? Where’d the week go? It’s 2025? Where’d a whole decade go? Tempus fugit! Srsly!

Franklin TV: Flying Lights?
Franklin TV: Flying Lights?

We moved into our studio building at the start of 2015, and time has indeed flown. Our main studio is a big space. Big spaces become cluttered. We have de-cluttered. Now, after ten years, we are purging, cleaning, updating. In this final phase of studio we’re starting (again) from scratch. We’re pulling, cleaning, reprogrammimg, and remapping all of our studio luminaires (lights).

These broad ‘softbox’ lights will provide the base illumination for two studio sets. We will fly as many PAR and Fresnel lights for color accents and key areas. Each luminaire will fly again as we upgrade our studio to support the latest production techniques for staging virtual reality sets. Our new lighting layout will afford us more flexible, ample ‘fire power’ to stage more creative projects. We’re working as quickly as we can to fly all of our lights this week – because time is indeed flying.

And – as always –
Thank you for watching. 
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.
And staying informed at Franklin●news.


Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 


Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Children's Museum of Franklin to open doors September 18, 2025

Children's Museum of Franklin to open doors September 18, 2025
Children's Museum of Franklin to
open doors September 18, 2025

"We’re overflowing with joy to announce that the Children’s Museum of Franklin officially opens its doors at 157 Cottage St on September 18!
Get ready for hands-on fun, imagination, and discovery - perfect for curious kids and playful hearts. Mark your calendars: the countdown is ON!"

Shared from ->

For more about the Museum visit their webpage ->  https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/

Seniors Helping Seniors opens for business to serve Franklin

"We change people’s lives®

What We Do
Seniors Helping Seniors opens for business to serve Franklin
Seniors Helping Seniors opens
for business to serve Franklin
At Seniors Helping Seniors® Franklin-Brockton in-home care services, we understand and appreciate the unique challenges that come with age. That’s why our companionship and daily assistance offerings exclusively focus on the specific needs of seniors. We’re devoted to supporting you or your loved one, while enhancing your total quality of life. Whether you’re looking for an extra set of hands around the house, personal care support or a friend to lean on, we’ll be by your side. Discover the difference a dedicated senior caregiver can make!

Love is in our Care®
Our mature, friendly caregivers lead with compassion, offering comprehensive home assistance and companionship. We take time to get to know our clients and senior caregivers – that way, we can find a perfect match. Through our exclusive pairing process, you’ll connect with a relatable friend who will always be there to support you. From light housekeeping and cooking meals to running errands around town, your caregiver will handle needed tasks, bringing ease into each day."




More Perfect Union: D. E. I. (video)

In this episode, the group and guest Dr. Bell, as well as the audience from the Senior Center discuss DEI, or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace, and how it as a concept has been around, and it's important to provide opportunities and fairness to all people.

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGe7POQRUmQ


More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Jeff Roy, and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Looking for health insurance? Make sure that’s what you’re getting


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By BCP Staff

Are you looking to get or switch your health insurance? Know that some dishonest marketers might lie about what your plan would cover, make it seem like they're selling health insurance when you're really just getting a discount plan, or try to sell you something else entirely.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/08/looking-health-insurance-make-sure-thats-what-youre-getting?utm_source=govdelivery



    

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, Aug 10, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:
 
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday


Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday