Monday, July 25, 2016

Reminder: Traffic patterns change downtown on Tuesday

After several months of construction to prepare, the traffic patterns downtown will change from one way for sections of Main St, Emmons St, and West Central to two way.

My walk downtown Sunday night shows there is still work that remains to be done. Crosswalks remain to be coated with polymer, the trees remain to be planted and the fire station entrance is only half done. 

The roadway striping appears complete and the signals all seem to be operational. The change over seems ready to go.

West Central in front of Dean College and Davis Thayer School
West Central in front of Dean College and Davis Thayer School

crosswalk at East Central and Summer St remains to be filled in
crosswalk at East Central and Summer St remains to be filled in

The fire station entrance has been half done
The fire station entrance has been half done

Be aware of the change in traffic on Tuesday and stay alert for continuing construction downtown. We're not done yet!


  • Related posts on the traffic change

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/07/franklin-traffic-change-rescheduled-to.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/07/alert-downtown-traffic-pattern-change.html


"I think we got to a really good outcome"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The school district has reached agreements with its secretaries, van drivers and cafeteria workers, putting those employees under contract for the next three years. 
The School Committee signed those contracts at its meeting last week. Each of the pacts will run until June 2019. 
Committee Chairman Kevin O'Malley briefly discussed the negotiation process. 
"We met with people who are indispensable to who we are as a district," he said. "We have, after negotiation, come to some agreements that we are now prepared to sign."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160724/franklin-schools-sign-worker-contracts

summer wishes on the Parmenter School sign
summer wishes on the Parmenter School sign

Register O'Donnell Highlights Registry Customer Service Center



Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register O'Donnell Highlights Registry Customer Service Center

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reminds consumers if they have a question or concern about a land document related issue, the answer is just a phone call away by dialing the Registry's Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101. The department is open Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM.

"The Customer Service Center is a one-stop consumer shop," said O'Donnell. "It provides homeowners and real estate professionals alike with detailed information about a wealth of land document related issues. These subjects include questions you might have about confirming current ownership of a particular property, and verifying to see if a discharge of a property's mortgage has been filed after the loan has been paid off. We are glad to help, whether you come through the doors of the Registry or call us by phone."

Register O'Donnell further noted, "The department can also inform customers about the cost of filing land documents. Also, upon a customer's request, whether by visiting us here at the Registry or by direct mail request, we can provide copies of documents for a fee of $1.00 per page, plus an additional $1.00 per document to cover postage cost. The Registry only accepts cash or check for payment. In addition, Customer Service Center staff are happy to answer questions about the Homestead Act, which provides limited protection against the forced sale of a homeowner's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000," noted Register O'Donnell.

Register O'Donnell went on to say, "For many, trying to decipher information on land documents can be a very frustrating experience. Our trained customer service staff are well versed in all areas of land document research. By utilizing our state-of-the-art land document research system, which is also available to members of the public via www.norfolkdeeds.org, we can get people the answers to their property questions."

Notary services are also offered by the Customer Service Center. "All staff members are notary publics. We are more than glad to notarize any land document provided the person requesting the service appears before us and presents satisfactory proof of identification by showing either their driver's license or passport," said O'Donnell.

In conclusion, the Register stated, "Providing first-class customer service is a core objective of the Registry's mission to serve the public. The residents of Norfolk County deserve nothing less than a positive experience when interacting with us. The bottom line is: We are glad to be of service to you."

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

phone: 781-234-3336
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831

Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact

Sunday, July 24, 2016

#shopFranklin - Hillside Nursery

Sarah Mabardy, the chief instigator behind #shopFranklin, has started a Franklin TV series to highlight the local businesses of Franklin. In this episode Sarah talks with Chris Depoto of Hillside Nursery. We find out how Hillside started with chickens and the development of i495 brought about the relocation to their current Washington St store. 

"#shopFranklin - supporting small business speaks with Chris Depoto of Hillside Nurseries. Hillside Nurseries has been in Franklin for three generations and is a true independently owned local family business. 
Specializing in landscape/hardscape design, retail plant selections and custom floral design - Hillside has been serving the Franklin community with knowledgeable and personalized service."





#ShopFranklin can be found on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/shopFranklin/

and on the web at   http://www.shopfranklinma.com/

#shopFranklin
#shopFranklin

In the News: Pokemon Go, golf tournament, MetroWest jobs a reverse commute

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Aspiring Pokémon masters were out in force in the town common Saturday afternoon. 
The Franklin Federated Church, which sits just opposite that grassy expanse, set up some amenities for Pokémon Go players on its front lawn. Volunteers underneath a small tent offered water, some frozen treats and a recharging station to the trainers. 
Pokémon Go, a smartphone app in which players seek the eponymous creatures in the area that surrounds them, has been downloaded millions of times and has become a bona fide cultural phenomenon."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160723/franklin-stop-for-those-on-pokemon-go



"A golf tournament to benefit the S.A.F.E. Coalition will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Franklin Country Club, 672 E. Central St. 
The tournament will support the outreach programs of the S.A.F.E. Coalition in Franklin, Medway, Milford and surrounding communities in Norfolk and Worcester Counties. It will include a barbecue lunch and awards."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160723/safe-coalition-to-hold-golf-tournament-benefit


"While many commuters rely on the train to go from homes in MetroWest to jobs in Boston, Chris Walsh and Cathal Dodd take it the other way. 
Lured by the availability of a website-related job, Walsh, 29, said he’s happy to commute out from Boston to the suburbs. 
“I actually don’t mind the commute,” he said, as he waited on a recent afternoon at the Framingham commuter rail station for a train home to Boston. 
He said he has found a higher-paying job in MetroWest than closer to the city."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160724/transportation-issues-help-determine-economic-health-of-region

Airbnb taxes




MassBudget  Information.
  Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center  Democracy.



Should Hotel Taxes Cover Short-Term Rentals Through Services Like Airbnb?
A new factsheet from MassBudget examines how several states across the country have changed their rules to extend room-occupancy taxes levied at hotels to include short-term rentals made through Airbnb and similar companies.
Airbnb and Taxes: What Other States are Doing and How Much Revenue Might Be Raised in Massachusetts examines how 11 other states apply short-term rental taxes to bookings made through platforms like Airbnb. The factsheet explains the current exemption for short-term residential rentals and how taxing these bookings would work. It explains recent research on how rentals booked through companies such as Airbnb can compete with traditional short-term accommodations like hotels. It also presents data on people and businesses renting out through Airbnb full-time and with multiple units. It examines how much revenue the room occupancy tax currently generates and Massachusetts Department of Revenue estimates of the additional revenue that would be raised with new rules extending the tax to short-term residential rentals.
You can read the new fact sheet (HERE).

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER

15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108
TwitterFacebook
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108

Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact

MassBudget - Airbnb taxes
MassBudget - Airbnb taxes

Senator Ross: Summer 2016 State House Update



Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, Summer 2016

View this email in your browser
Facebook
Twitter
Website
LinkedIn
State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District.

State House
Room 419
Boston, MA 02133

Ph: 617-722-1555
Fax: 617-722-1054
Email:richard.ross@masenate.gov
Dear Friends,

The summer is in full swing, yet the legislature is still at work on the FY17 budget. These are uncertain times, but please know that I am working hard to make sure we craft a budget that addresses our most important needs, while protecting your hard earned tax dollars.

Please read my newsletter for recent pertinent updates and what to expect in the coming months.


Sincerely,
FY 17 STATE BUDGET

A big portion of the summer involved working to finalize the fiscal year 2017 state budget. In the midst of annual budget debate, Governor Baker filed a precautionary budget to cover July spending. The governor signed the $5.3 billion, one-month spending bill in order to allow the state to maintain its services as the annual budget was not expected to be on time.

Throughout the finalization of the budget, the conference committee was aiming to address the issue that revenues next fiscal year could be below estimates. At the end of June, the Legislature enacted a $39.146 billion state budget for FY 17 that invested in areas related to local aid, education, children's health and safety, housing, health and human services, workforce training and economic development. The budget also included $139.2M in total funding to fight the opioid epidemic in support of substance abuse education, prevention and treatment programs.

With tax revenues down sharply, serious decreases in funding were necessary. On July 8th, Governor Baker signed a $38.92 billion annual budget which cut $256 million in spending from the plan approved originally by the Legislature. The budget signed by Governor Baker only increases spending over the current fiscal year by 1.3 percent. In the newly signed budget, the governor hopes to allocate money towards local aid, education, Medicaid and pensions.

As your senator, I have worked to maintain the programs and services you hold dear while being certain to balance our state budget and maintain long term fiscal responsibility.

The newsletter was shortened for publication here, view the full newsletter here