"We're really looking good as far as donations go, but we could always use more"

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

"Several local groups have come together to run a drive to provide school supplies for needy area families. 

The Hockomock Area YMCA has partnered with the Franklin Elks and the Franklin School District to run the effort, aimed at assembling backpacks full of the supplies. 

Michelle Branche of the YMCA is coordinating the drive, which she said is in its second year. 

"Last year, we assembled 64 backpacks, but we had not partnered with the other groups," she said. "We have a scholarship program at the Y, and we reached out through that."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160801/franklin-backpack-drive-collects-supplies-for-needy-students

backpack drive

Additional info from the posting here during July
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/07/backpack-collection-underway.html

Suggested Supplies:

• Spiral Notebooks 
• Pencils 
• Erasers 
• Calculators 
• Crayons 
• Markers 
• Pocket Folders 
• Pencil Bag 
• Rulers 
• Highlighters 
• Scissors 
• Binders 
• Colored Markers 
• Glue Sticks 
• Pens 
• Loose Leaf Paper

Backpack Drive July 11-August 21, 2016

Made possible by the Bernon Family YMCA, Franklin Elk’s Lodge and the Franklin Public School District. We will be collecting supplies and backpacks through the month of July and August at the participating locations listed below. We are looking for the suggested school supplies as well as backpacks.

Supply Drop off locations:

• Bernon Family YMCA
• Franklin Municipal Building
• Remington Middle School
• Franklin Elks Lodge
• Jefferson Elementary School

Teddy Bear Picnic - Town Common - Wednesday

The Franklin Library will hold a teddy bear picnic on the Franklin Town Common Wednesday from noon to 2:00 PM.

Kids are requested to bring their favorite teddy bear or stuffie, bagged lunch and blanket. The winner of the Gummi Bear guessing contest will be announced.

Teddy Bear Picnic - Town Common - Wednesday

“We know that the arts bring economic prosperity”

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

"Roberta Trahan said she always has a song in her head as she makes her way through each day. 

On Saturday though, she said, that daily song was replaced with the music that was in the air at the Franklin Cultural Festival. 

“Today is all about whatever's on that stage,” said Trahan, a member of the Franklin Cultural District Steering Committee. 

Both inside and outside The Black Box theater on West Central Street Saturday afternoon, musical acts traded off the spotlight as the festival came to a close after four days of theater, art and food."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160731/franklin-cultural-festival-showcases-music-art-and-more

A sampling of photos from Saturday:

check the marquee for future events

Lori Diamond and Fred Abatelli

Jamie Barrett

Ferrara's Market was one of several offering a "Taste of Franklin" 

Susan Cattaneo, Jim Henry, Stephanie Marshall performing

the Franklin Cultural Festival closed with a rocking performance by Victims of Gravity

More photos and videos will be shared as they become available


Disclosure: I volunteer for the Cultural District Steering Committee that put together this Festival.

The PMC rides through Franklin on Saturday, Aug 6

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

"During its 36-year run, the Pan-Mass Challenge has raised more than a half-billion dollars to combat cancer - a feat likely far greater than Billy Starr, its founder and executive director, and dozens of friends would have expected when they started the annual bike ride in 1980. 

On Aug. 6 and 7, more than 200 locals from MetroWest are set to participate in the largest single athletic fundraiser in the country, according to PMC organizers. 

The two-day biking event raises money for adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund. PMC is Dana-Farber’s largest single contributor, raising more than 58 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160731/up-to-challenge


The Remington Jefferson School is a water stop for the 2-day riders. It has a reputation for being one of the better water stops on the route. The riders tend to arrive between 8:00 and 10:00 AM on Saturday morning, Aug 6

Screen grab of PMC water stop info for Franklin

The PDF of the Sturbridge to Provincetown route can be found here
http://www.pmc.org/sites/pmc.org/files/cue-sheets/sturbridge-to-provincetown_0.pdf

PMC riders arriving at Remington-Jefferson in 2013

Additional photos from the 2013 water stop can be found here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/albums/72157634927800798

Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry's Social Media

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry's Social Media Underscoring the importance of communicating directly with the citizens of Norfolk County, Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today reminded consumers about the various social media applications made available for their use through the Registry. O'Donnell noted, "Our mission here at the Registry of Deeds is to make important information readily available on a 24/7 basis to all consumers. After all, just because our doors close at the end of the business day doesn't mean the Registry has to stop working. Our website www.norfolkdeeds.org is a valuable resource to review scanned images of up to 5 million land documents dating back to 1793, as well as to learn about the latest consumer protection programs. I am proud to report that we recently completed a redesign of our website which has made it more user friendly for those using smartphones and tablets." For example, the register noted that residents can print out an application of the popular Homestead Act on its website, a law which provides a homeowner with limited protection against the forced sale of their primary residence up to $500,000, or sign-up directly on-line for its Consumer Notification System. This program will alert a person anytime a land document has been recorded or amended against their name in Norfolk County. Additionally noted Register O'Donnell, "There is valuable county real estate information that can be researched and tracked on the website based on the monthly and quarterly real estate statistical reports done by the Registry, such as the number of homes sold, average prices of property sold, mortgage discharges, homestead applications and much, much more." Other forms of social media utilized by the Registry of Deeds include Facebook, facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds, Twitter, twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram, instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds. "The Registry has had a robust presence on both Facebook and Twitter. We are very excited about joining Instagram which will capture the demographics of younger property owners and real estate professionals. We are really hopeful too that first-time homeowners will avail themselves of these social media platforms. They can learn more about home ownership, and consumer initiatives like protecting against Deed Scam rip-offs, along with other Registry outreach services," said O'Donnell. The Registry has also filmed multiple public service announcements (PSA's) which are available on the Registry's website and YouTube. These PSA's have touched on a variety of issues such as assistance for residents who have received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lender. Videos highlighting the Registry's various philanthropic initiatives, such as its Annual Holiday Food Drive or its Suits for Success program which helps people who are attempting to re-enter the workforce, can also be viewed. Concluding, Register O'Donnell stated, "My office continues to focus on ways the Internet and social media can provide Registry access and services to Registry users. If you have questions related to real property, we urge you to take a look at our social media offerings." 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 and/or instagram.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

https://twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds/status/759116602025664512

Economic Development Committee meeting 8/10/16

The next Economic Development Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 10th at 5:30 PM in room 205. The meeting should complete before the Town Council meeting starts at 7:00 PM that night.

The agenda was published as follows:

1. Discussion

a. Rural Business Zoning
b. Residential Zoning – R5, R7
c. Sign Bylaw Corrections
d. Marketing Update
e. Discussion on Business Awards
f. Attracting more TIFS

The agenda was shared from the Official Town of Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0246A548-000F8513

Franklin Municipal Building

New "Healthy Heart Trail" at Franklin State Forest

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

"The Department of Conservation and Recreation has announced a new Healthy Heart Trail at Franklin State Forest. 

This trail is one of more than 70 Healthy Heart Trails that DCR has designated across the commonwealth to promote good health and a connection with nature. Park supervisor Tom Ashton and his staff have marked the 1.2-mile trail that covers several rolling hills. Ashton encourages visitors to access the trail at the entrance adjacent to the Hockomock YMCA, as well as the gate along Grove Street. 

Covering 843 acres in the Forge Hill area, Franklin State Forest is a minimally developed property managed for passive recreation. For maps or information: mass.gov/dcr."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160730/department-of-conservation-announces-new-franklin-state-forest-trail

on a trail in the Franklin Town Forest off Summer St

• You can go directly to the Franklin State Forest page

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/f-gilbert-hills-state-forest.html#Franklin SF

• Or check out the Southern New England Trunk Trail (SNETT) off Grove St

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-central/southern-new-england-trunkline-trail.html