FHS baseball and softball teams post wins on Sunday

Baseball

• Franklin, 8 @ St. Peter Marian, 4 – Final 

– Franklin rallied from a 4-0 deficit in the sixth inning, plating eight runs in the top half to take the lead for good. Senior Nick Santucci went 2-4 with a double, a run scored and a pair of RBI, Ryan Hodgkins had an RBI and a double and Mike Skaza was 2-4 with a pair of RBI and a run scored. Bryan Woelfel, who had a pair of strikeouts, earned the win after an inning and two thirds in relief. Ryan Morse struck out one in 1.1 innings of work for the save.

Softball

• Foxboro, 2 @ Franklin, 14 – Final (6 inn.) 

– Junior Alexx Niss continued her hot streak for the Panthers, knocking in seven runs with a single, double and a three run home run. Olivia DiGiacomo went 2-3 with a double and two RBI and Maddie Connelly was also 2-3 with an RBI, scoring three runs. Allie Shea reached bases three times for Franklin and Rachel Cousineau went 2-2 with a pair of runs scored. Caroline D’Aprile struck out four, allowing just one hit in three innings of work for Franklin.


http://hockomocksports.com/sundays-schedule-scoreboard-051516/

FHS Panthers

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds: April '16 Real Estate Activity

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Reports on April '16 Real Estate Activity Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reported a mixed bag when it came to Norfolk County real estate activity for April 2016. The Register stated, "There was definitely some conflicting statistics when it came to comparing April 2016 versus April 2015. While we saw a 7% rise in the amount of commercial and residential real estate transactions in 2016, we also witnessed a 7% slide in the volume of dollars associated with these transactions. In addition, the average real estate sales price, both commercial and residential combined was $602,722, a surprising 22% reduction." "Additionally there was also a little softness in the mortgage financing market for the same period of time," noted Register O'Donnell. "The mortgage market was flat for the month of April. The total number of mortgages increased a slight 1% compared to the same time last year. Total mortgage financing dollars actually fell 2% to $1.02 billion compared to $1.04 billion figure posted in April 2015." On the consumer front, Homestead recordings, which provide limited protection against the forced sale of an individual's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000, decreased 2% from April 2015 to April 2016. A total of 884 Homesteads were recorded versus 905 during this comparative time period. Further information regarding the Homestead Act can be found on the Registry's website at www.norfolkdeeds.org. A disconcerting note regarding the April 2016 real estate activity was the continuing increase in foreclosure activity in Norfolk County. The total number of foreclosure deeds recorded during the month was 16, the same figure that was recorded during April 2015. However, the number of Notices to Foreclose Mortgages recorded, the first step in the foreclosure process, jumped to 68 for the month of April compared to 36 recordings in April 2015, a rise of 82%. "For many months," stated Register O'Donnell, "lending institutions have been working to process foreclosures dating back to the 2008 economic slowdown. While there is some evidence that there are more and more new foreclosures happening, we are still seeing foreclosure activity with residents that have been struggling with this issue for some time. My office continues to partner with Quincy Community Action Programs at (617) 479-8181 x-376 and Neighbor Works Southern Mass at (508) 598-0950 for those who have received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lender. Another option for homeowners is to call the Massachusetts Attorney General's HomeCorps program at (617) 573-5333. In conclusion Register O'Donnell stated, "The number of real estate sales transactions recorded during the month of April 2016 clearly tells us that Norfolk County continues to be a destination location for individuals and families to live and work. I would say, however, that prospective homeowners are being more cautious in making their real estate purchases. As long as the county's inventory levels do not fall significantly, I believe the late spring and summer months could produce solid real estate results for Norfolk County." To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, 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, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Register William P. O'Donnell Norfolk County Registry of Deeds email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-234-3336 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try it free today

screen grab of Norfolk Deeds webpage

In the News: no room for fireworks this year, environmental oversight budget cuts hurt

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Council member Thomas Mercer said the fields at the new high school - where the fireworks would be launched - were the holdup. 

"We have not accepted the fields from the contractor," Mercer said, adding that the town would have to take ownership of the fields before it could hold the display there. "As the chairman of the building committee, I'll tell you they're not ready." 

The town, said Nutting, did not have any other proper launch locations, which would include adequate parking, decent visibility and a certain amount of space. 

"We had the state fire marshal out here, and we went everywhere," he said. "We went from place to place to place with him, and couldn't get any satisfaction."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160515/franklin-does-not-have-place-to-launch-fireworks-officials-say

"Basic environmental protections for Massachusetts residents have unraveled in the last 15 years as deep budget cuts and shifting political priorities take hold. 

The state has slashed bacterial testing of lakes, rivers and other surface water by more than two-thirds in the last decade, according to state-reported data analyzed by The Eye. Inspections of contaminated properties and waste and water sites, meanwhile, have dropped 24 percent from fiscal year 2001."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160515/years-of-budget-cuts-disarm-massachusetts-in-environmental-fight

“Everything about Daily Table is not normal”

From the Boston Globe Magazine, one of the Game Changers for 2016

"As the executive chef of Daily Table, the nonprofit grocery in Dorchester that has been an experiment in bringing food rescue efforts to the marketplace, Samad is faced with these challenges every day. The store is the creation of Doug Rauch, the former president of Trader Joe’s, who worked at the company for 31 years. 

Daily Table receives shipments of excess food donations from groceries, suppliers, and food rescue organizations throughout Greater Boston, sometimes without much warning. Then, Samad and his team must find ways to make healthy food on the fly, using creative methods to prep, prepare, preserve, and serve inexpensive food for its low-income neighborhood store, all while ensuring as little as possible goes to waste (it’s like the Food Network’s hit show Chopped, only the one with the fewest leftovers wins). Adding to the challenge: All of their prepared meals must meet their strict nutritional guidelines. Remarkably, most meals cost from $2 to $4, allowing shoppers using food stamps to get the most for their money."

Daily Table turns donations of excess food into prepared meals, most costing $2 to $4.
(Globe photo: JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF/FILE)

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2016/05/13/daily-table-mission-stop-food-waste-and-feed-hungry/z7BtUqM6uhmsPAi6CUkgHO/story.html

• For more info about Daily Table, visit them on the internet  http://dailytable.org/

Find other Game Changers online
http://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2016/05/12/who-made-globe-list-game-changers/F8JzcyATcJSBoPFFXDVpxL/story.html

Recap: Town Council - May 11, 2016

The recap of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, May 11 can be found here.

• Franklin FISH

Barbara Steele presented on the Franklin FISH organization. It is an all volunteer non-profit organization that volunteers to drive folks to appointments. They have been providing this service for 43 years, number of rides has doubled over the past couple of years. Radius of about 20 miles but some do go to Boston, Providence etc. Call 508-528-2121 to volunteer.

• Council on Aging/Senior Center

Director Karen Alves provided several updates on program enhancements for the Senior Center. They are excited to be able to move upstairs to the new space in Sep/Oct timeframe. This will allow programing to be expanded. They will also conduct a survey this summer. 

Karen thanked the Town Council for their support. "We are the envy of all the Senior Centers in the area." The new space will include a conference room, a card room, the gift shop will be expanded downstairs. Upstairs there'll be a large multipurpose room. An elevator will provide access to the 2nd floor. There will also be a lending library in honor of Stella Jeon.

• Cottage Court

The issue here is that while the town has been providing some maintenance for the narrow roadway (it is still dirt/stone dust), there is no sewer service. The residences are all using septic systems. The water service is via a 'spaghetti pipe' that flows out from the center connection to each house. The residents have been paying taxes but getting services for a roadway that is private and legally the Town should not continue to do so. After discussion, the Council asked the Town Administrator to "look at our legal options."

• DPW water efficiency rebate to start June 1

The DPW will be offering rebates to residents to replace older toilets and clothes washing machine with more efficient (uses less water) models. It could be up to 200/rebate for the one clothes washer machine, or 2 toilets per household. Bring the purchase receipt to DPW to get the rebate. The program would start June 1. Links will be added to the DPW website to show what is eligible.


The published "Actions Taken" can be viewed here. The PDF contains active links to the documents for each blue link

• The Council approved funds for chip seal and crack seal work

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Council/May%2011%202016/Resolution%2016-31.pdf

• For reference, the listing of roads planned for rework during 2016 can be found here

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PublicWorks/Construction_Projects/S01426F5B

repairs to the playground were completed last week, assuming inspection confirms
they are good, the playground should be able to open after May 16

My notes from the meeting recorded live can be found here

• Live reporting: Legislation through Closing
• Live reporting: Town Council - May 11, 2016
• 
  

Recap: School Committee spends time on FHS updates and choses to keep school vacations as they are for 2017-2018

The School Committee meeting this past Tuesday was a long and good one finishing after 9:00 PM.

Franklin High School presented a number of updates on the following topics:

a. Math Team - Robert Akie, FHS Teacher  

b. Robotics at FHS -  Alyssa Taranto, FHS Teacher  

c. Computer Science Programming - Jason Chetlen, FHS Teacher  

d. Poetry Out Loud - Ron DiBona and Dan Hudder, FHS Teachers  

e. Video Production - Autism Awareness PSA, Heather Moreau, FHS Teacher  

f. Science NHS - Family Science Night, Ann Butler, FHS Teacher  

g. Empty Bowls - Partnership with Franklin Food Pantry, Brenna Johnson, FHS Teacher  

h. MASS Academic Excellence Awards - Emily Waite & Domenic Narducci

Details on each of the updates can be found in the live reporting section here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/05/live-reporting-fhs-update.html

Emily Waite, Dominic Narducci, School Committee Chair O'Malley, Superintendent Sabolinski

After all the high school updates, the School Wellness Advisory Committee provided an update on their work. (see link for details)

The school calendar discussion resumed with the choice between the two options. Option 1 was approved as the 'recommendation' by a vote of the committee as a whole. It was then voted to amend twice, one to make the Wednesday before Thanksgiving a full no school day, and two, to move the Professional Development Day from the Monday of the last week of August to the Friday before the Labor Day weekend. All three votes were approved 7-0. So after much ado, additional sub committee work, etc. the possibility of a change to one vacation (either Mar or Apr) from the Feb/Apr schedule the district has today will wait for the 'next time'.

When the 'final' 2017-2018 calendar is posted it should appear here
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_SchoolCalDocs/index


The detailed notes taken live during the meeting Tuesday can be found here

• Live reporting: to Closing
• Live reporting: Calendar discussion and action ite...
• Live reporting: School Wellness Advisory Committee...
• Live reporting: FHS Update
• Live reporting: School Committee - May 10, 2016
• 
  

Petition to the Franklin Town Council: Plastic Bag Ban for the Town of Franklin, MA

"A single use plastic bag takes 20-1,000 years to decompose. This means that a plastic bag used once can remain in the environment for up to 1,000 years. As the bag decomposes, the chemicals from the manufacturing process, such as high density polyethylene (also known as HDPE), leach into various environments such as land and sea. On land, HDPE clogs soil and prevents aeration, causing poor absorption of water and nutrients. In marine environments, animals often mistake these bags as food. Once these organisms consume the bags, they often clog the digestive system and lead to a slow, painful death. 

In Franklin, if improperly disposed, the bags contribute to visual pollution and accumulate in nearby landfills- contributing to the startling statistic that only .25%- 1/4 of 1%- of plastic bags get recycled per year in the US. The US uses over 100 billion plastic bags per year. 

Although it might seem like a small, insignificant step for one town to ban plastic bags, no step is too small in protecting our planet. An average consumer family goes through 1,500 of these single use plastic bags per year. We have upwards of 32,000 people living in Franklin. Evidently, this is a large number of bags NOT contributing to the startling national statistics of plastic bag usage. 

This is where YOU come in. By signing this petition, not only are you pledging your support to our cause, but you are also promoting global sustainability. Your actions can make a difference- so start by signing this petition."

You can sign the petition here:

https://www.change.org/p/franklin-town-council-plastic-bag-ban-for-the-town-of-franklin-ma?recruiter=22322018&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=mob-xs-share_petition-no_msg

screen grab of petition to ban plastic bags in Franklin, MA