Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Dr. Ruth Potee at King Philip High School - June 15

Did you miss Dr. Ruth Potee when she was here in March? 

She'll be back this coming week at King Philip High School Auditorium under the sponsorship of the Wrentham Public Health Nurses (508-384-5485). 

An expert on the physiology and pharmacology of drug abuse especially in adolescents, her talk is compelling, informative and of distinct value whether it is your first time hearing her or even if you have heard her previously. Thursday, June 15, 6:30-9:00 pm with presentation to start at 7:00 pm. 

All are welcome

Dr. Ruth Potee at King Philip High School - June 15
Dr. Ruth Potee at King Philip High School - June 15


Related posts
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/02/the-days-of-thinking-of-addiction-as.html

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - June 13, 2017

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."


the key to learning
the key to learning
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the open session and executive session minutes from the May 23, 2017 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Dr. O’Malley
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Sign off FEA/ESP Contract
b. Retirees

3. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,700.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment at FHS.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,073.32 from the Parmenter PCC for supplemental supplies.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from John & Elizabeth Ombelets for a FHS Scholarship.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $300.00 from the Jefferson PCC for supplemental supplies.
e. I recommend acceptance of several checks totaling $188.00 from the Class of 1967 for inhouse enrichment at FHS.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $262.76 from O’Connor Studios for Supplemental Supplies at Keller Elementary School.
g. I recommend approval of declaring 5 Wenger Choral Risers as surplus as detailed.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Franklin Library for a FHS Scholarship.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $375.43 from Ahold, USA for supplemental supplies at FHS.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Franklin Country Club for a FHS Scholarship.
k. I recommend acceptance of several checks totaling $1,375.00 from various donors for the Dr. Maureen Sabolinski Scholarship fund.

4. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

  • a. Policy Sub Committee – Ms. Scofield
  • b. Community Relations Sub Committee – Ms.Schultz

School Committee Liaison Reports

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

6. Motion to Adjourn 
– Dr. O’Malley


Monday, June 12, 2017

3rd Annual Cultural Festival to showcase the arts that happen here in Franklin

The Franklin Cultural District Steering Committee is in the final weeks of preparation for the 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival. The Festival will run from Wednesday, July 26 to Saturday, July 29, 2017. The Celebration will take place in key locations in Franklin including: THE BLACK BOX (inside and outside on its stage), the Franklin Historical Museum, the Town Common, Franklin United Methodist Church, and Franklin High School.

The Festival will showcase some of the artistic, musical, performance and culinary talent available in the Franklin area. The District Steering Committee is scheduled to make significant announcements during the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for 5:45 PM Wednesday, July 26 at the Town Common. It will be followed at 6:00 PM with a performance by FSPA’s Electric Youth. The Franklin Art Association will have sidewalk chalk art, face painting and other art activities on the Town Common beginning at 5:00 PM.

Thursday’s activities will feature musical performances on the Town Common, the wedding gown display and speaker at the Franklin Historical Museum, robots at the United Methodist Church and a performance of a 24-hour Play at THE BLACK BOX.

Friday’s activities will start at Franklin High School with student musical performances by the orchestra, band and choral groups. The Farmers Market will operate from noon to 6:00 on the Town Common. In addition, there will be musical performances and a yoga session on the Common. The first of two performances of Spamalot will be held at 8:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX.

On Saturday, the activities will be centered at THE BLACK BOX with Franklin Art Association art on display, performances alternating on two stages, one inside and one under the tent outside. The Circle of Friends will host the outdoor stage for several performers. The second performance of Spamalot beginning at 8:00 PM will close the Festival.

The complete schedule will be posted to the Cultural Festival page. There will be a tri-fold brochure with the schedule available for download at the beginning of July.

If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out webpage http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/ or follow the Festival on Twitter https://twitter.com/artshappenhere

We do maintain a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival but you should not rely on timely updates due to the way Facebook filters the information to followers.

To help financially support the Festival please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/FCF2017

3rd Annual Cultural Festival to showcase the arts that happen here in Franklin
3rd Annual Cultural Festival to showcase the arts that happen here in Franklin

FHS girls lacrosse to play in D1 State semi-final today; FHS girls 4x800 run 3rd in New England

Via Hockomock Sports .com and Twitter

Girls Lacrosse = D1 State Semifinal

#1 Franklin (E) vs. #2 Longmeadow (C/W), 7:00 (@ Babson College)

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers
https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-061217/










Register O'Donnell Reports Better Than Expected Real Estate Sales in May



Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register O'Donnell Reports Better Than Expected Real Estate Sales in May

Despite a monthly trend of limited inventory, total real estate sale in May 2017, both residential and commercial, showed a solid 10% increase year over year.

Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell noted, "Surprisingly, Norfolk County real estate sales for May totaled 1,706 compared to 1,554 in May 2016. What was unsurprising is the low number of properties on the market which has given rise to competition, particularly for first-time homeowners, bidding against each other, resulting in healthy increases in both the average sale price and total sales.

"The average sales price for May, again for both residential and commercial, was $766,499, a 14% increase compared to the previous year. Total real estate sales volume increased a whopping 25% for the month coming in at $850 million. In light of the continuing low levels of real estate inventory, it will be interesting to see if this growth can be sustained."

Lending activity for the month was a different story. A total of 2,426 mortgages were recorded during May, a 14% decrease from the previous year. Total mortgage financing for the month was $1.1 billion, a 3% reduction year over year. "An uptick in mortgage rates," noted O'Donnell, "triggered these downward numbers. With the Federal Reserve projected to increase rates during the second half of 2017, I see the mortgage lending activity trend lines continuing for the foreseeable future."

A bright spot for the month of May 2017 was Norfolk County homeowners continuing to take advantage of the Homestead Act. A total of 1,153 Homesteads were filed during May 2017, a 4% increase compared to the previous May. "The Homestead Act," stated the Register, "is an important consumer tool. A Homestead provides limited protection against the forced sale of a homeowner's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000."

Additional piece of good news was seen in the area of foreclosure activity. The total number of Notice to Foreclose Mortgage recordings, the first step in the foreclosure process was 60, a 28% reduction from the previous year. Foreclosure deed recordings, the final step in the foreclosure process, were flat. A total of 22 foreclosure deeds were processed in May, the same number recorded in May 2016.

"As I have said many times," noted Register O'Donnell, "one foreclosure filing is one too many. With that said, I am heartened by the reduced foreclosure activity seen in Norfolk County. Please be aware 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. These two non-profits are there to help anyone who has received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lender. Another option is to call the Massachusetts Attorney General's HomeCorps program at (617) 573-5333."

Register O'Donnell concluded, "Considering where we are in Norfolk County with low real estate inventory, I was pleasantly surprised by the upsurge in May's real estate sales numbers. However, an important factor we need not overlook is the continued desire of individuals and families to live and work in Norfolk County. The strong quality of life and sound economy in eastern Massachusetts should be able to sustain the local real estate market through the rest 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 is located at 649 High Street, Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.


Register William P. O'Donnell
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org
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


In the News: Pleasant St neighborhood; Library taking shape

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

"With Dean College, the Franklin Town Common, and a train station within walking distance of the Pleasant Street neighborhood, local residents are offered a unique front row experience to things happening in town. 
“We walk down to the town green all the time for farmers markets, festivals, and carnivals,” said Elise Stokes, 38. “For those types of events, they usually shut down the main roads.” 
Stokes said she noticed a lot of her neighbors are either parents of young children in their 30s, or grandparents. She said her neighborhood is so friendly, planning play dates for her children is not difficult at all, and all of the neighbors help each other out whenever they can."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170611/neighborhood-series-franklins-pleasant-street



"The new addition to the Franklin Public Library has begun to take shape, reminding local leaders of a tree house amid the greenery of downtown Franklin. 
The Main Street building - completed in 1904 - is now well into an extensive, $10 million renovation and addition project, aimed at expanding the spaces within and upgrading its systems. 
There are evident signs of progress inside the building - new lighting has been installed, and the building’s frescoes, which were previously covered, can now be seen in their original state. The change is most striking in the new portions of the building - what had been a shell of steel beams is now enclosed, with new windows bathing the space in sunlight. 
Town Councilor Judith Pfeffer, chairwoman of the Library Building Committee, said Friday that the addition’s windows allowed for an excellent view of the trees around the library. She predicted that the west-facing windows - which will eventually have seats and tables along them - would be a popular spot on winter afternoons."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170611/franklin-library-renovation-taking-shape

windows are being installed in the new wing of the Library
windows are being installed in the new wing of the Library

Pond St - 140 foot buffer or ??? (video)

I took a walk along the frontage of the former Franklin land on Pond St to record a video on Sunday, June 11. It was just after noon time and the traffic speed and noise adds to the video.

Trees are being cut as the land is prepared for construction. It looks like a new access road is being added to the property. This accounts for the most open section of the tree cutting.

You can see through to i495 and BJ's across the way from several points along Pond St.

What it will look like when finished remains to be seen. There are several threads of comments on Facebook about whether the developer is remaining within the 150' buffer the Town Council had agreed to with the neighbors.

Stay tuned for more on this as the story and details are revealed.




markings for what appears to be a new access road to the development
markings for what appears to be a new access road to the development