Franklin Matters

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Franklin Cultural District Invitation - May 10, 2019

We hope that you will be able to join us for this celebration!

Franklin Cultural District Invitation - May 10, 2019

Tri-County Students to Perform “Antigone” = Apr 12-13

Antigone, a Greek tragedy by Sophocles, will be performed this weekend on Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13 at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in the high school’s auditorium at 7:00 PM.

Antigone is a tale of rebellion, loyalty, pride, and love. A rebellious young lady goes up against her stubborn uncle to defend her family and what she knows is right.

Tickets are free for Tri-County students and faculty, and $5.00 for general admission to be purchased at the door. Doors open a half-hour prior to each performance.

Students performing are Kara Ghisalbert, a senior from North Attleboro; Teagan LeBlanc, a freshman from Millis; Elizabeth Sicard, a junior from Seekonk; Madison Jacobs, a junior from North Attleboro; Brandon Lodi, a junior from North Attleboro; Michael Hulbig, a senior from North Attleboro; Andrew Highcove, a freshman from Blackstone; Izzy Fryar, a senior from Plainville; Jessica Nguyen, a sophomore from North Attleboro; and Julie O’Connor, a senior from Attleboro.

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

From left-right are: Kara Ghisalbert, Teaghan LeBlanc, Elizabeth Sicard,
Madison Jacobs, Brandon Lodi, Michael Hulbig, and Andrew Highcove

“I welcome this feedback as it can only make our consideration of the topic richer and fuller"

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

"Debate about school start times is heating up following the School Start Times Advisory Committee’s recent release of recommendations to alter the time school begins for the town’s elementary, middle and high schools.

Since that panel shared its findings at the end of March, a Facebook group opposing the suggested changes has emerged, growing to 730 members as of Monday and kicking off an online petition that, also as of Monday, had 1,041 digital signatures.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Sara Ahern is suggesting that the school board authorize her to move the study of the issue to a second phase with further analysis, followed by a vote at a later time to be determined.

“This second phase would build off of the work of the advisory committee by continuing to iterate the proposal as greater clarity is gained,” Ahern wrote in an April 4 letter to the School Committee.":

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190408/franklin-school-start-time-proposal-to-be-discussed-tuesday

Superintendent Ahern's Letter
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/04/superintendent-aherns-letter-to-school.html

The School Committee agenda for April 9
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/04/franklin-ma-school-committee-april-9.html

The School Start Times Summary
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/school-start-times-advisory-committee.html

The School Start Times Presentation (audio)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/fm-161-school-start-times-report-32619.html

The School Start Times Presentation (audio)

Monday, April 8, 2019

2019 Hydrant Flushing Program- Franklin Water Department

The Franklin Department of Public Works, Water Division will begin its hydrant flushing program on Monday, April 8, 2019. This program is conducted annually to improve Franklin's water quality and fire flows. Some hydrants will be flushed in the evening hours, while others will be completed during the day. Hydrant flushing will continue depending on water availability and system pressures.

Residents may experience temporary water loss or discolored water while hydrants are being flushed in their area. Even though the water may be discolored, it is still safe for human consumption.

Visit https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/hydrant-flushing to find out which streets we are working on today.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and we apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the DPW office at 508-553-5500

hydrant flushing in action on Cottage St a couple of years ago

Planning Board - Public Hearings scheduled for April 22

Planning Board - Public Hearing - Apr 22 - "Maple Hill"

"In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 7:30 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Preliminary Subdivision Plan application titled "Maple Hill" prepared by Bay Colony Group, Inc., dated January 15, 2019 and submitted to the Department of Planning & Community Development on March 25, 2019, by Canoll Construction Corp., PO Box 395, Foxborough, MA.

The site is located at 469 and 441 Maple Street Rural Residential H Zoning District (Assessor's Map 234, Lot 012, Map 235 Lot 142 & Map 242, Lot 027). The applicant is proposing to construct fifty-eight (58) single family residential building lots, with access from Bridle Path and Kimberlee Ave. A Conventional Subdivision and Open Space Development plans have been submitted."

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/public_hearing_notice_maple_hill.pdf

Planning Board - Public Hearing - Apr 22 - "Highland Village"

"In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 7:05 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Preliminary Subdivision application. titled "Preliminary Subdivision Plan Highland Village, West Central Street" prepared by Gueniere & Halnon, Franklin, MA, dated March 8, 2019 and submitted to the Department of Planning & Community Development on March 11, 2019, by Joel D'Errico, 72 Deer View Way, Franklin, MA 02038.

The site is located on West Central Street consisting of three parcels of land in separate ownership in the General Residential V Zoning District (Assessor's Map 278, Lots 31, 32 & 35). The applicant is proposing to construct a four (4) lot subdivision with a roadway and sidewalks."

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/public_hearing_notice_west_central.pdf

Planning Board - Public Hearing - Apr 22 - "Highland Village"

Planning Board - Public Hearing - Apr 22 - "79 Grove St"

"In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 7:10 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Special Permit & Site Plan Modification application titled "Change of Use Plan and Special Permit for 79 Grove Street, Franklin Massachusetts" and submitted to the Franklin Department of Planning & Community Development on March 18, 2019 by Patrick Weidman, 79 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038.

The site is located at 79 Grove Street in the Industrial Zoning District (Assessors Map 289, Lot 001). The purpose of the Special Permit is to grant a change in use under Chapter 185 Attachment 3, Use Regulation Part II 2.7 (c) to allow the applicant to operate an auto and truck repair business with overnight storage of towed and damage vehicles within an Industrial Zone for the entire building (9,600 sq/ft)."

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/public_hearing_notice_79_grove_st.pdf

FHS baseball comes from behind to top Milford 5-4

Via Twitter and HockomockSports.com we can report that FHS baseball comes from behind to top Milford 5-4 in a game on Sunday.

[Boys Sprg Varsity Baseball] Franklin HS defeats Milford HS, 5 to 4.
— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) April 7, 2019

Franklin 5, Milford 4. WP - Jake Fitzgibbons 4inn, 2H, 0R, 2K. Nice come from behind win. Floris knocks in Haba in the top of 7th w/ the GW RBI. Haba 2RBI 2R, Ross 2-3, RBI, Markowski 2-4, & Lizotte 1-2, R. Next up: Franklin vs Canton tomorrow (Mon. 4/8) Home Opener at 3:45pm.
— FHS Baseball (@FHSCoachZBrown) April 7, 2019

A photo gallery from HockomockSports.com for the game Sunday
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Spring-2019/Franklin-Milford-Baseball-4-7-19/

FHS Jack Nally at bat (HockomockSports.com photo)

Register O'Donnell Sees Reduced Real Estate Activity During 1st Quarter

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register O'Donnell Sees Reduced Real Estate Activity During 1st Quarter

Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell noted that the first quarter of 2019 (Jan-March) was marked by reduced real estate sales and lending activity for Norfolk County in comparison to the same period in 2018.

Register O'Donnell noted, "This year's 1st quarter saw real estate sales in Norfolk County, both residential and commercial, fall 4% year over year. There were 3,374 properties sold compared to 3,525 during the 1st quarter 2018. I believe these sluggish numbers can be directly attributed to the lack of available real estate inventory on today's market. Also, typically the winter months are not the busiest months when it comes to real estate."

The average sales price, again both residential and commercial, during the 1st quarter was $734,773, a 23% decrease from the 1st quarter of 2018. Additionally, the total volume of residential and commercial sales for the quarter was $1.3 billion, a 26% decrease year over year. These numbers were directly impacted by the 1st quarter 2018 sales of two commercial properties in Quincy totaling $80 million and $43 million respectively and also the $76 million sale of the former Reebox headquarters in Canton.

Furthermore, Norfolk County saw a reduction in the number of mortgages recorded during the quarter. A total of 4,532 mortgages were recorded during the 1st quarter 2019 compared to 5,155 during the same time period in 2018. "With a projected national growth rate this year of around 2.1%, one wonders what impact it will have on sluggish real estate sales and lending activity," noted O'Donnell.

On the consumer front, the number of Homestead filings was flat. A total of 2,209 Homesteads were recorded during the 1st quarter, representing no statistical change from the same time period in 2018. O'Donnell reminded homeowners, "The Homestead law provides limited protection against the forced sale of an individual's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. I urge Norfolk County homeowners to consider this important consumer protection tool."

"If there was a bright spot for the first quarter it was the declining foreclosure activity numbers," noted Register O'Donnell. "The number of foreclosure deeds recorded was 36, a 47% decrease from the 1st quarter 2018. Also, there was a 44% reduction in the number of Notice to Foreclose Mortgage filings, the first step in the foreclosure process."

The Register also noted, "While the foreclosure figures for the quarter were encouraging, my office continues to partner with Quincy Community Action Programs, 617-479-8181 x376, and NeighborWorks Southern Mass, 508-587-0950. These organizations have staff available to help anyone who has received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lender. Another option is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400. Each of these programs is staffed by knowledgeable professionals. I urge anyone who is facing a foreclosure to avail themselves of one of these excellent programs."

Register O'Donnell concluded, "The Norfolk County real estate market continues to be adversely affected by a lack of available inventory. I am particularly concerned this continuing trend will make it extremely difficult for prospective first-time home buyers to enter the market. On the plus side, I was elated with the dramatic decline in the foreclosure numbers."

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 is located at 649 High Street in 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 www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone 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

web: https://www.norfolkdeeds.org