Norfolk County Registry of Deeds: House Bill 3971 Testimony (video)

Plymouth County Register of Deeds John Buckley and Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell testified in support of House Bill 3971 (An act directing a study on the feasibility of placing registries of deeds for county governments that have not been abolished under the oversight of the secretary of the Commonwealth) in front of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Click the flowing YouTube link to watch a five-minute video of the testimony: https://youtu.be/tNFdJIek-eM

Click here to see a list of reasons to support HB3971 submitted to the Joint Committee: https://www.norfolkdeeds.org/wp-content/uploads/Reasons-to-support-HB3971.pdf

If you see fit, please feel free to contact the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight or your local State Senator or State Representative.

To learn more about Registry of Deed’s events and initiatives, like us on Facebook® at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on Twitter® at twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram® at Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, 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 via telephone at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

Another County Law Suit: Register Wins Again

The Norfolk Superior Court in a Judgment dated October 1, 2025 entered a Decision and Order in favor of Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell.  This ruling in the Norfolk Superior Court against County Commissioner Quincy Attorney Peter H. Collins from Milton, County Commissioner Joseph P. Shea from Quincy and former Canton Selectman and Attorney County Commissioner Richard R. Staiti and other officials of Norfolk County was part of a second law suit that William P. O'Donnell as Register of Deeds had to bring on behalf of those who use the Registry as well as the residents and taxpayers of Norfolk County.  

Another County Law Suit:  Register Wins Again

This October 1, 2025 Judgment confirms a Decision and Order dated June 28, 2024 by another Norfolk Superior Court Judge ruling for the Register of Deeds see the judgment at https://www.norfolkdeeds.org/wp-content/uploads/Judgment-10-1-25-from-Judge-Leighton.pdf.

The Norfolk County Defendants acted in direct defiance of general laws and statutes intended to protect and preserve the operations of the Registry of Deeds. The Norfolk Superior Court in both the Decision and Order dated June 28, 2024 as well as the Judgment dated October 1, 2025 concluded the defendants have violated Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 64D, Section 11 and Section 12.  Judge Cloutier wrote "The plain language of these statutes clearly establishes two mandatory and distinct sources of funding exclusively for the Registry, with no temporal limitations on the Registry's use of the funds."

"This win in the Norfolk Superior Court will help ensure the recording of legal land documents that give homeowners title to their homes and that the services Registry users have come to expect from the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds will continue.  No elected or appointed County Officials are above the law" said Register of Deeds Bill O'Donnell.

This ruling for the Norfolk Registry of Deeds strikes down the illegal taking by the County Defendants and misappropriation of monies initiated by the Norfolk County Commissioners.  This litigation tries to halt the unlawful interference into Registry operations coupled with the misappropriation of millions of dollars in a strategy quarterbacked by County Director John J. Cronin and supported by elected and appointed officials including the three Norfolk County Commissioners. County Director John J. Cronin was hired by the three Norfolk County Commissioners in 2021.  

The decision and policies of County Director John J. Cronin and the three Norfolk County Commissioners have led to the law suits that have been filed. The Norfolk Superior Court Judge wrote "While not dispositive the court notes that prior to 2020, the County's interpretation of the statutes was largely consistent with the court's interpretation."

"The actions of the Norfolk County Commissioners are not in the best interest of the residents and the taxpayers.  Taxpayer monies are not being spent wisely by the Norfolk County Commissioners" stated Register O'Donnell.  The Norfolk County Commissioners, two of the three are attorneys, have spent over a half million dollars in legal fees to justify and defend their illegal decisions, votes and actions.  Register O'Donnell argued the case that led to the October 1, 2025 Judgement by representing himself as Register on behalf of all Registry users as well as the taxpayers and residents of Norfolk County.  

With Register O'Donnell trying this litigation pro se or on his own no Registry legal fees had to be paid by the taxpayers when there is not an attorney representing the Registry of Deeds.  However, the Norfolk County Commissioners continue to spend taxpayers monies to pay Attorney Scott Lopez of the Boston Law Firm of Lawson and Weitzen who represents the Norfolk County Defendants.

Register Bill O'Donnell stated "I along with Registry staff and Registry operations have been retaliated against for standing up to elected and appointed officials who break the law and abuse power. I am especially grateful that the Norfolk Superior Court found that the defendants County Commissioners exceeded their authority by voting against appointing the Registry's candidate for the Registry's Chief Information Officer.  In a time of cybersecurity fraud and threats that was such a poor and unsound decision by the Norfolk County Commissioners."

The Judgment of Judge Leighton of the Norfolk Superior Court dated October 1, 2025 can be viewed at https://www.norfolkdeeds.org/wp-content/uploads/Judgment-10-1-25-from-Judge-Leighton.pdf.

The Decision and Order of Judge Cloutier of the Norfolk Superior Court dated June 28, 2024 can be viewed at https://www.norfolkdeeds.org/decision-6-28-24-from-judge-cloutier.

Have you taken the FREE Hands Only CPR Class yet? Next one is Nov 19

The Franklin Fire and Health Department is hosting another FREE hands only CPR class for the Franklin community this month on November 19th from 4 PM - 5/5:30 PM at the Fire Station on 40 West Central St. 

SIGN UP LINK: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAF2EAAF9C25-60310913-hands

Have you taken the FREE Hands Only CPR Class yet? Next one is Nov 19

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wPj2Z_8r6K-rhP2ZPF-pw2T2T-6BEHp1/view?usp=sharing

HFA Architecture + Engineering Acquires TRIA, Expanding into Science and Technology Sector

"HFA Architecture + Engineering, a nationally recognized, employee-owned design firm, has acquired TRIA, a Boston-based architecture firm specializing in life sciences and laboratory design.

The acquisition marks HFA’s official entry into the science and technology sector, broadening its national footprint and diversifying its portfolio into one of the fastest-growing industries in design and construction.

Founded in 2015, TRIA has built a strong reputation in the Greater Boston area—the epicenter of life sciences innovation—by designing state-of-the-art research laboratories, biomanufacturing facilities, and workplace environments for leading biotech, pharmaceutical, and research organizations.

HFA said the integration of TRIA’s technical expertise with its own architecture and engineering capabilities will enable the combined firm to deliver comprehensive, “future-ready” solutions for clients across the entire innovation pipeline—from discovery to deployment.

“This partnership is about bringing together people who care deeply about the impact their work has on the world,” said Dave Wilgus, CEO of HFA. “TRIA’s expertise in science and technology adds an exciting new dimension to what we do. Together, we’ll continue designing spaces that help our clients solve complex challenges and push innovation forward.”

TRIA’s leadership team, including President and CEO Sherwood Butler, will remain in place following the acquisition to ensure continuity for clients and employees. Butler said that the two firms share a strong cultural alignment centered on people and relationships.

“From my first meeting with HFA leadership in 2024, I knew our missions were aligned—relationships first and people-centric,” Butler said. “I’m honored to continue what we started more than a decade ago: building the country’s leading Science + Technology architecture firm. HFA gives us the strength and support to keep excelling and growing alongside our most valued clients.”

The acquisition launches HFA’s Life Sciences and Technology sector, adding to its growing portfolio in Industrial, Healthcare, and other specialized AEC markets. With offices in Baltimore, Bentonville, Boston, Fort Worth, and Franklin, Massachusetts, the combined firm is positioned to support clients nationwide, from early-stage R&D facilities to full-scale production campuses.

HFA is a 100% employee-owned, multidisciplinary architecture and engineering firm with more than 30 years of experience and over 500 professionals. The firm provides integrated design solutions across Retail, Hospitality, Industrial, Healthcare, Multi-Family, and now Life Sciences and Technology sectors, with offices in Bentonville, Boston, Fort Worth, Baltimore, Springfield, Franklin (MA), and Mexico City."

HFA A & E, Franklin, MA office

Based in Boston, TRIA practices what it calls the “architecture of discovery.” The firm combines deep expertise in science-driven organizations with decades of design experience to create environments that foster innovation, collaboration, and discovery. Its portfolio spans life sciences, corporate workplace, and mixed-use projects that support research and development success.

Shared from -> https://www.hfa-ae.com/blog/hfa-tria

HFA had been one of the six proposals to respond to the RFI on the Davis Thayer Reuse Project which is still sitting in the Town Council's 'pending decision bucket' (likely pending resolution on site selection for the protentional police station)   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/06/davis-thayer-building-reuse-advisory.html

Franklin Fire Dept hosted training for the Regional Tech Rescue Team

Via Franklin Fire Dept:

"We were happy to host a training drill for our regional tech rescue team this week. Members of the department are assigned to this team."

Franklin Fire Dept hosted training for the Regional Tech Rescue Team

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/16Zx556Xh5/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday, November 10, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin 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

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

Franklin TV schedule for Monday, November 10, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = MONDAY

7:00 am Aging Boldfully: Steve Sherlock

8:00 am Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament

9:00 am Antisemitism Panel 10-28-25

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Sweet Corn Risotto

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: French Toast

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Shrimp, Tomato & Greens Pizzetta

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 7

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 4

3:30 pm Franklin Interfaith Thanksgiving 2024

4:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith

5:30 pm Jon Mitchell & Randy LaRosa: 12-Tone Music

7:00 pm Frank's Musings: Gaza

8:30 pm Circle of Friends: The Kennedys

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

7:00 am FHS Winter Band 2022

8:30 am SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins

9:30 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts

10:30 am FHS Winter Music: Band 2024

11:30 am Public School Event: FHS Chorus & Orchestra 2023

12:30 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey v Waltham 11-06-25

2:00 pm FHS Varsity Volleyball v Taunton 10-14-25

8:00 pm FHS Varsity Football v Leominster 11-07-25

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

8:00 am Planning Board 11-03-25

12:00 pm Economic Development 10-29-25

2:00 pm Planning Board 11-03-25

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, November 9, 2025 ???

Sunday, November 9

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free) 

1:00pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

What's happening in Franklin, MA

**   NO Town Meetings today   **

-----------

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

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Volunteers Needed For Winter Decorating Downtown November 22

The Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Franklin Garden Club are getting ready to decorate the downtown for the holidays and winter on Saturday, November 22 from 9 AM to 12 PM. Volunteers are needed to help clean, prep and decorate.  

Volunteers Needed For Winter Decorating
Downtown November 22

Eileen Mason of RE/MAX Executive Realty and Sandy Sauer of Franklin Tile Carpet One co-chair the FDP Beautification Committee. Please email Eileen Mason at emason4234@gmail.com to sign up. 

Students: if you have community service hours to satisfy, this is a great time to earn your hours. You will get a note documenting your service.

“We are dedicated to making the downtown area festive during the holiday season,” said Mason, who is also a member of Franklin Garden Club. “The decorations make Franklin even more inviting to residents and visitors who go downtown to enjoy our shops and restaurants.” 

Franklin Downtown Partnership thanks the following sponsors of Winter Decorating Day. 

Platinum: D.G. Ranieri Real Estate; Doherty, Dugan, Cannon, Raymond & Weil, P.C.; Eileen Mason-RE/MAX Executive Realty; G & C Plumbing & Heating; Glen; Meadow Apartments-Schochet Companies; Middlesex Savings Bank. Gold: Dean Bank; Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc.; Notturno Home Services; PEEL microspa. Silver: Connell Roofing, Inc.; Elizabeth's Bagels; Fenton Financial Group; Friends of the Franklin Elders, Inc.; Oteri Funeral Home; Pisini Shoes; Simon's Furniture; Vet Med Pet Supplies

Stay up to date and follow the Franklin Downtown Partnership on Instagram and Facebook at:  https://www.instagram.com/franklindowntownpartnership/  and  https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/

The Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of more than 350 business owners, residents, and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. Residents can join the Downtown Partnership for $25. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival, and initiatives such as spring beautification, streetscape design, greenspace, alley murals, and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org

Agenda for First Meeting of the newly elected Franklin (MA) Town Council - Nov 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Franklin Town Council 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

November 12, 2025 6:00 PM 

Meeting will be held at the Franklin Municipal Building

355 East Central Street - 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Link to the agenda doc PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1knfNyfDKUUgHkLWqCG1S0DTaLVItwT8L/view?usp=sharing

 

Agenda for First Meeting of the newly elected Franklin (MA)
Town Council - Nov 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Audio recording of the Franklin (MA) Board of Health Mtg - Nov 5, 2025 (audio)

FM #1576 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1576 the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The meeting agenda was held in the 3rd floor training room as well as via Google Meet. All 3 board members were present. 

Quick Recap:

• Current chair Jeff Harris opens meeting

• Reads protocol statement re: Google meet

• Welcomes new member Diane Daddario

• Approval of minutes, June 4 moved, second, passes 2-0-1 (1 abstain)

• July 23 moved also by 2-0-1 (1 abstain)

• Reorganization

• Motion to make Kim as chair passes, Jeff as vice chair, passes 3-0 for both

• Tobacco control agent appt required. 

• Motion to make MHOA, second, passes 3-0

• Discussion on tobacco regulations, need to adjust the Franklin regs to along with State changes;

• C Liberty offers to provide info on neighboring communities and how they handle it

• Issue with the difference between tobacco vs other retail store opportunities, could affect their market

• Issue with menthol cigarettes prohibited in MA, folks traveling to RI to purchase

• Next meeting to review again, decision likely in Dec, public hearing to be scheduled in January

• Motion to adjourn passes, 3-0

The meeting runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting November 5, 2025.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1576-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-11-05-25/

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The Board of Health agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11052025-1990 

My notes captured in one PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CkWYFXT-obacJrhnXt8jOb8auxYKb0zW/view?usp=drive_link 

Audio recording of the Franklin (MA)
Board of Health Mtg - Nov 5, 2025 (audio)

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

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 

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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"

FHS boys soccer playoff run ends in Framingham on Saturday 1-2 in OT

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, November 8, 2025

Boys Soccer = Division 1 = #22 Franklin, 1 @ #6 Framingham, 2 – Final (OT)

Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qNsIesLrv4

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required) 

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-11-08-25/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com