Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Annual Report 2016: Franklin Advisory Committee


"The Committee met only three times in 2015 and most of our discussions and topics were related to ongoing issues and objectives begun in the preceding years. 

Updates and status reports, often from the Town Administrator, on a multitude of ongoing endeavors, such as: 
(1) the land swap with the Commonwealth at the recycle site; 
(2) improving maintenance and enhancing the appearance of the two train stations. There have been certain remedial repairs to walkways and parking lots, but little of significance since the building was painted and roofed two years ago; 
(3) South Franklin Congregational Church. Presently the building is secured and a decision how best to proceed and appropriate use remains with the Council. This historic property, along with the Ray Memorial library and Brick School are testament to the town's significant history and deserving of our attention and support; 
(4) The "Gateway" effort has materialized and we are witnessing new construction at the old town hall site with new roadway construction and removal of the temporary classrooms at Davis Thayer. Dean College continues to provide a positive image to the area with new buildings and landscaping. At the East end of town, an upscale housing development at the former Cook's Farm site along with land acquisition from the Country Club has dramatically enhanced the area so that entering from East or West projects a positive impression to our community;

Council actions that benefited the community in which we provided opinion or input, along with the work of the Town Administrator and staff, includes certain zoning and building issues, the Pond Street RFP and subsequent award for development, attempts to bring businesses into the downtown, supporting development of the former bowladrome and car dealership site on 140 as well as the former Thompson Press site, exploration of establishing a Neighborhood Commercial Development in South Franklin, and proposing the town move to acquire the land on 140/495, which currently houses a salt barn and storage site, and has significant potential and value to the community and was, at one time, acknowledged by the state as such. Obviously, the Council, Town Administrator and staff do the work and make the important decisions.

Our role is to create and/or add to the discussion, and to that end, I am obliged to the Committee and those members of the Council, staff and administration for their support and contribution; to the many municipal employees who are second to none; and the many volunteers and residents who help make our community a special place. 

Thank you all in behalf of the Committee. 

L.P. Benedetto, Chairman

Members:

  • Paul Cheli, Vice Chair
  • Judith Pond Pfeffer Vice Chair
  • Robert Ficco
  • Bruce Hunchard
  • Andrew Bissanti (2015)
  • Robert Avakian (2015)
  • Nancy Rappa (2015)


Associate Members:

  • Joseph Halligan
  • Paul Compton
  • Rick Circone
  • Deborah Pellegri (2015)"


view of the Cook's Farm development on Norfolk side of Franklin along RT 140
view of the Cook's Farm development on Norfolk side of Franklin along RT 140


Download and read the full Annual Report for the Town of Franklin FY 2016

Prior year annual reports can be found
http://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/annual-reports


In the News: Senior Center expansion nears completion; MassDOT seeks input; Franklin Man OUI

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The senior center's renovation project passed a milestone last week, and officials are preparing for a grand opening of its new space next month. 
Town Councilor Thomas Mercer, who serves as the chairman of the renovation's building committee, said the state inspected and signed off on the center's elevator on Jan. 18, one of the final steps in the $1 million project. 
"We're down to punch list items," he said on Friday. "In the next 10 days or two weeks, we're hoping to get an occupancy permit." 
Mercer said the elevator had been one of the factors delaying the project, as rock at the site forced a relocation of the elevator shaft."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170123/franklin-senior-center-work-nears-completion

the rear view of the Senior Center shows the new elevator shaft popping up above the roof line before the cupola
the rear view of the Senior Center shows the new elevator shaft popping up above the roof line before the cupola


"Citing a successful input process last year, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will once again seek public comment and suggestions on its five-year capital investment plan, which lays out projects for the state's highways to rail lines and the roadways in between. 
According to Trey Wadsworth, manager of the capital planning group, state officials hope to collect ideas on current projects and on new potential ones to be included in the department's 2018 through 2022 fiscal years investment plan. 
"There is always a desire for new ideas," Wadsworth said Monday. "Every community and region has a particular need." 
---Those seeking to provide comment online for the 2018-2022 plan can do so at http://www.mass.gov/massdot/cip or by emailing masscip@state.ma.us. Comments will be accepted through March 17.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170123/massdot-seeking-comments-on-capital-investment-plan

screen grab of MassDOT Capital Investment Plan
screen grab of MassDOT Capital Investment Plan


"A Franklin man was passed out drunk behind the wheel of his car for more than a half hour on Sunday in the parking lot of a West Main Street convenience store, authorities said. 
Hopkinton Police arrested Michael J. Martin, 27, at the Cumberland Farms, 91 West Main St., at 1:53 a.m. 
According to a police report filed in Framingham District Court on Monday, a police officer encountered Martin in the parking lot of the store. He appeared to be asleep behind the wheel of a Toyota SUV that had been running for 35 minutes."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170123/franklin-man-charged-in-hopkinton-oui

"Are Your Kids Addicted To Their Phones? 'Screenagers' Wants to Help"


"Are you watching kids scroll through life, with their rapid-fire thumbs and a six-second attention span? Physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston saw that with her own kids and learned that the average kid spends 6.5 hours a day looking at screens. She wondered about the impact of all this time and about the friction occurring in homes and schools around negotiating screen time—friction she knew all too well.

In SCREENAGERS, as with her award-winning documentaries on mental health, Delaney takes a deeply personal approach as she probes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including her own, to explore struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, SCREENAGERS reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions on how adults canempower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance."


SCREENAGERS (Official Trailer) from Delaney Ruston on Vimeo.

More info can be found on their webpage  http://www.screenagersmovie.com/

Monday, January 23, 2017

Superintendent Search Public Forum - Jan 30, 2017

The Franklin School Committee along with four individuals representing school principals, town officials, teachers, and parents has narrowed the superintendent search down to three candidates: Dr. Linda Hirsch, Ms. Susan Kutska and Dr. David Thomson. 

To be as inclusive as possible we are encouraging citizens to meet the candidates and bring your questions and concerns! Beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 30, the three candidates will be available in thirty minute time slots to address those questions/issues. 

Your input is valued and appreciated:


When: 
Monday evening, January 30 from 6:30 p.m to 8:00 p.m.

Where: 
Town Council Chambers
Franklin Municipal Building
Second Floor, 355 East Central Street



Horace Mann/Oak St early in the morning before school opens
Horace Mann/Oak St early in the morning before school opens

Dean College Announces 2017 Summer Camp Schedule

Dean College is pleased to announce the creation of four summer camp options for high school students ages 14 and up, including sports broadcasting, sport management, forensics and stage combat.

Upon completion of the two-week camp, students will not only walk away with a unique learning experience, but will have earned three college credits.

“We are excited to offer these amazing programs that truly are one-of-a-kind opportunities. The camps are both fun and educational and having the chance to earn college credit really adds to their appeal,” says Gregg Chalk, Dean’s Vice President of Marketing and Business Development.

Each camp is designed to provide students with unmatched experiences, including instruction by leaders in their respective field, advice on the college admissions process from a Dean College admissions counselor (one-on-one consultation), college credit for successful completion of the course/camp, and behind the scenes access to Gillette stadium, WEEI Sports Radio, McCoy Stadium and other locations appropriate to the respective camp.

Both Sport Management camp and Stage Combat camp will take place July 10-21, 2017, with the Sports Broadcasting and Forensics camps happening July 24th through August 4, 2017.

“Every camp will have customized experiences embedded into them,” says Chalk. “For example, Sports Broadcasting will have the campers creating their own demo reel, announcing on Power 88 FM and actually doing live play-by-play at a Pawtucket Red Sox game. Similar experiences will be weaved into each camp.”

Overnight and day-only options are available. Housing for overnight campers will be provided by Dean College, with night and weekend activities included with room and board.

For pricing and to learn more information about Dean College summer camp offerings, visit www.dean.edu/summercamps.

summer camp is a warm thought in midwinter at a snowy Dean College campus
summer camp is a warm thought in midwinter at a snowy Dean College campus

Dean College is a private, residential New England college grounded in a culture and tradition that all students deserve the opportunity for academic and personal success. A uniquely supportive community for more than 150 years, Dean has woven together extensive student support and engagement with exceptional teaching and innovative campus activities. Our graduates are lifetime learners who thrive in their careers, embrace social responsibility and demonstrate leadership. This is The Dean Difference.

Franklin Almanac - Episode 1 features Franklin Matters

If you missed the first episode of the newly developed Franklin TV program, Franklin Almanac, you can now view it via YouTube.







At about 14:00 minutes, I sit with Polikseni to tell her the Franklin Matters story.

http://franklin.tv/
http://franklin.tv/

Register of Deeds Highlights 2016 Year



Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register of Deeds Highlights 2016 Year

"It was a year where history came alive, consumer milestones were reached and legislative successes were achieved," noted Register William P. O'Donnell in referring to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds operation in 2016.

The Register noted that in 2016, the Registry was indeed an extraordinarily busy time when it came to real estate transactions. The Registry collected more that $55 million dollars in revenue and recorded more than 160,000 transactions, including processing approximately 12,500 homestead applications, a 4% increase from 2015.

The Registry in 2016 also hit a couple of milestones. The first was its completion of its 34,000th book of land transactions. "Today for the sake of security and convenience," noted Register O'Donnell, "we maintain documents in 3 forms; hard copy, electronically and on microfilm and our materials are backed up and stored 3 different ways."

On the consumer front, the Registry reached its 500th subscriber milestone for its Consumer Notification Program. The free program allows any county resident to opt in and be alerted when any document is recorded against their name. To sign-up, please see the Registry's website at www.norfolkdeeds.org.

One of the programs brought online this year that the Registry is quite proud of is its "History Comes Alive" transcription project. The initiative, the first of its kind for a New England Registry, makes land recorded documents written in the 18th and 19th centuries in the old cursive handwriting style much easier to read by converting the words to text. This is a great breakthrough for historical commissions and societies as well as genealogists who want to trace their family's history. Famed historian David McCullough sent a note to Register O'Donnell expressing his belief that this project was, "a large and important contribution."

Register O'Donnell noted that public accessibility is a key focal point to the Registry's operation. "In 2016, you didn't need to come to the Registry to get your work done. You could view all documents online from your home or work computer. Additionally, we have added resources to our Customer Service Center which you can call from 8:30AM to 4:30PM, Monday-Friday at 781-461-6101."

In 2016, the Registry focused on upgrading its computer security network, along with educating its workforce not to fall victim to a cyber-attack. On the capital improvement side, it also made several extensive renovations to its historic building opened in 1903.

Register O'Donnell noted that the Massachusetts Registries of Deeds were the recipients of 3 major victories on Beacon Hill in the last year. "We were able to have our tech fund extended through the year 2020 which pays for our projects and initiatives. We were also able to provide input to the Legislature with regards to the Public Records Law so that we can remain responsive and cost efficient in our operations. Lastly, the Governor just signed into law legislation designed to modernize and make more cost efficient how Registries store their vast documentation."

The Register concluded by stating, "The year 2016 was a productive and pivotal one for the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. What was accomplished last year will only make us better equipped to meet the challenges of 2017."

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 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

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
screen grab of Norfolk Deeds webpage
screen grab of Norfolk Deeds webpage