"the fight against phosphorus is ongoing"

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

"Water bodies such as the Charles and ponds in MetroWest and the Milford area may have problems with proliferation of a variety of plants, including Eurasian water milfoil, algae, phragmites and white water lilies, said Alexandra Ash, the association's director of communications and events. 

Ash said Franklin has taken many steps to create green infrastructure such as rain gardens that help stormwater filter into the ground rather than run off into the river. 

Ash said officials try to treat stormwater naturally, mimicking what nature does.
Franklin DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi said the town, among other steps, tries to reduce the amount of roads and sidewalks that are impervious to water by decreasing road widths and eliminating sidewalks where they are not needed. 

Franklin pulls its drinking water from the ground, so it is important to direct as much water into the ground as possible, he said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160807/region-dirty-water-getting-cleaner

rain garden doing what it is supposed to, catch the rain and let the ground soak it in

The article also mentions the Rain Garden Tour being held on Aug 17th with registration required by Aug 10th
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/rain-garden-tour-register-by-aug-10.html

Norfolk County Shows Unexpected Real Estate Results for July

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Norfolk County Shows Unexpected Real Estate Results for July Running counter to recent reports of robust real estate activity in Massachusetts and Greater Boston in particular, Norfolk County showed reduced levels of real estate sales and mortgage financing for the month of July. Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell noted, "Last month the total number of deeds recorded, both residential and commercial, decreased 13% across Norfolk County from the previous July. The average sales price for these properties was $668,688, an 11% reduction." In addition, the total volume of real estate sales, again both residential and commercial, fell 24% year over year. The Register went on to say, "at first glance, the numbers are surprising, especially when considering the warm weather for the month and the continuing low interest rates. We are hearing from real estate professionals that the reduced volume is a result of low inventory and buyers being concerned about overpaying on properties." Lending figures also came in well below last year's numbers. "During July, a total of 2,798 mortgages were recorded, a 5% reduction from July 2015. Total mortgage financing took a hit of 13% from the same time period," noted O'Donnell. One shining spot for July was the reduced level of foreclosure activity. A total of 17 foreclosure deeds were filed last month compared to 22 in July 2015. Also, the total number of Notice to Foreclose Mortgage filings, the first step in the foreclosure process, closed at 43, a nice reduction from the 65 recordings for the same time period of last year. "While one foreclosure recording is one too many, I am encouraged by the reduced numbers. I am hoping that this is the start of a positive trend," stated the Register. The Registry continues to partner with Quincy Community Action Programs at (617) 479-8181 x-376 and Neighbor Works Southern Mass at (508) 598-0950 to help anyone who has 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 regards to an important consumer protection tool available to property owners, Homestead recordings also experienced a 10% dip for the month of July. The importance of filing a Homestead, O'Donnell noted, "is to provide limited protection against the forced sale of your primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000." Register O'Donnell concluded, "July's sluggishness was not what we were expecting. Clearly the evidence seems to indicate low real estate inventory has dampened the market. Potential buyers are concerned that they may be overpaying for property. On the other hand, sellers appear to be reluctant to put their property up for sale afraid that they will not be able to find something for themselves once their home is sold. Hopefully, an increase in real estate inventory can eliminate these concerns." 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

screen grab of Norfolk Deeds webpage

Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda - Tuesday, Aug 9, 2016

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which

may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed

and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent

permitted by law."

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the July 19, 2016 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Dr. O’Malley
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations:
a. K-12 Handbooks
b. District Improvement Plan
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CTZDO2KcvjQINE3OZ8PzPV8aFom16NTZzTNv-5-YdfI/edit?usp=sharing

3. Discussion Only Items
a. none

4. Action Items:
a. I recommend acceptance of two checks for Davis Thayer as detailed:
1. DT PCC - $1,101.00 Supplemental Supplies
2. Target - $100.00 In-House Enrichment
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $825.00 from SEPAC for districtwide supplemental supplies.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $327.00 from All American Publishing for Supplemental Supplies for FHS.
d. I recommend adoption of the ECDC Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
e. I recommend adoption of the Davis Thayer Student /Parent Handbook as presented.
f. I recommend adoption of the Jefferson Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
g. I recommend adoption of the Keller Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
h. I recommend adoption of the JF Kennedy Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
i. I recommend adoption of the Oak Street Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
j. I recommend adoption of the Parmenter Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
k. I recommend adoption of the Horace Mann MS Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
l. I recommend adoption of the Remington MS Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
m.I recommend adoption of the Annie Sullivan MS Student / Parent Handbook as presented.
n. I recommend adoption of the Franklin High Student / Parent Handbook as presented.

5. Information Matters:
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
a. Community Engagement
School Committee Liaison Reports
a. SAFE Coalition

6. New Business:
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Motion to enter into Executive Session and not return to Open Session (Roll Call Vote)
Personnel Update

the key to learning

Another LIttle Free Library in Franklin

Representative Jeffrey Roy joined the Franklin Housing Authority to celebrate the opening of the "Little Free Library" recently.

"Joined my friends at the Franklin Housing Authority for the grand opening of Little Free Library number 41,689. It was a great effort to bring books and reading to the community, with some creative assistance from the students in the Bi-County Collaborative. 

The mission is to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations. 

There are nearly 40,000 Little Free Library book exchanges around the world, bringing curbside literacy home and sharing millions of books annually. The library is open to all Franklin residents, so please drop by and share some knowledge."

This at least the 3rd one in Franklin. The first one shared here is located on Lincoln St.

Little Free library - Lincoln St

The 2nd is found at the Franklin Federated Church.

Franklin Federated "little free library"

And now #3

new little free library on East Park St

To find additional Little Free Libraries visit their webpage
http://littlefreelibrary.org/

• Lincoln St post

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/the-free-little-library-franklin.html

• Franklin Federated Church

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/05/reporting-by-walking-around-franklin.html

Rain Garden Tour, register by Aug 10

Did you know that the Town of Franklin is committed to including rain gardens in each of their public projects? Join us for a rain garden tour on Wednesday, August 17th to see some of these rain gardens first hand.

If you've ever wondered what was special about the gardens at Parmenter Elementary School or the Franklin Department of Public Works, now's your chance to find out.

Participants will meet at the Department of Public Works and travel together by van to each rain garden site. The tour will return to the Department of Public Works at approximately 6pm.

The tour is free and open to all Franklin residents and employees of the Town of Franklin. Please register by August 10, 2016. Space is limited.

http://www.soakitupfranklinma.org/rain-garden-tour.html

rain garden doing what it is supposed to, catch the rain and let the ground soak it in

Find the Facebook event here
https://www.facebook.com/events/280094492369237/

In the News: gypsy moths, elderly mental health

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

"August trees are looking more like November trees in some areas after gypsy moth caterpillars devoured leaves more aggressively than they had since the 1980s. 

A recent aerial survey completed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) revealed that damaged caused to trees by gypsy moth caterpillers feeding in 2016 was more than nine times greater than the damage in 2015. 

Each year, the DCR Forest Health Program conducts an aerial survey to measure the extent of damage caused to forests by different agents. 

The 2016 survey, conducted the second week of July, revealed 362,254 acres of damage from gypsy moths, crypt gall wasps and conifer discoloration.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160806/state-gypsy-moth-damage-nine-times-greater-than-in-2015

MA DCR aerial survey - tree damage from gypsy moths 2016

"Working out of an unassuming building on Maple Street in Bellingham, Gail Bourassa has started a difficult job: getting mental health care to senior citizens, a group that has traditionally been reticent to seek help. 

Bourassa, a counselor, is the new regional program manager for a project - running across Franklin, Bellingham, Blackstone, Medway, Milford and Mendon - that looks to reach seniors where they live. 

"Young people often self-refer (to these services) when they need it," she said. "For elders, it's more difficult - they rarely self-refer."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160806/aging-population-creates-challenges-for-mental-health-care

Downtown construction continues (photos)

While the traffic has been changed to two-way, the remaining work to finish the Downtown Improvement Project has been happening every day.

The sign has been returned to the narrowed island.

The sign acknowledges the work of the Downtown Partnership to foster the renovations downtown

Benches and trash/recycle barrels have been placed.

new benches and trash/recycle containers

Crosswalks are being completed with more polymer coating.

polymer crosswalk in place

Among the places where the polymer remains to be placed is at the Main and Dean St intersection

polymer to be paced at the intersection

And while not part of the Downtown Project, work on the new building at 150 Emmons St continues, including work on the green space where the new statue to honor Horace Mann will be placed.

Horace Mann green space

And as a reason to come downtown, the new Irish pub, Teddy Gallagher's, is getting ready to open. No opening date is set at this time.

Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub