Tuesday, May 14, 2019

MBTA Update: Commuter Rail schedule change effective May 20

"Spring/Summer Commuter Rail schedules go into effect on Monday, May 20, 2019 and are now available on the MBTA website at mbta.com."

For convenience, I have the new Franklin schedule here. I don't see any real changes to the actual schedule (focusing on the morning and evening peak hours). They seem to have removed the winter conditional statements from this. If I did miss something, please let me know.


You can get the current and future schedules online
https://mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/schedule

The schedule beginning May 20:



MBTA Update: Commuter Rail schedule change effective May 20
MBTA Update: Commuter Rail schedule change effective May 20

It's not too late to do something incredABLE!



It's not too late to do something incredABLE!

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Dell | 50 Constitution Blvd., Franklin, MA

8:30 am - Registration Begins
10:00 am - Race and Walk Start
Help us celebrate the ABLE in all of us!
HMEA's incredABLE 5k is less that a week away!
It's not too late to register to walk or run!
HMEA's incredABLE 5K
There is still time to get involved!
Whether you register to run or walk, volunteer or donate, your support of HMEA's incredABLE 5K is helping children and adults with developmental disabilities to live meaningful lives and reach their fullest potential.
Slyde
An incredABLE Family Day
There is so much to see and do at the incredABLE 5k!

Music, food, entertainment, raffles, games, giveaways, wellness and more!
clown
Red Sox mascots
Red Sox showcase
Fun for all
A great big thank you to all of the supporters who have already registered,
donated, and volunteered to make this an incredABLE day!!!

We can't wait to see you on Sunday!
Click here to join us!

HMEA | 8 Forge Park East, Franklin, MA 02038

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Metacomet Land Trust Annual Meeting - Sunday, May 19

Hello!

To help you through this cold, wet spring we've scheduled an exciting speaker for our land trust annual meeting on Sunday, May 19 at the Nipmuc High School.

Doug Harris will present Let the Landscape Speak and will delve into the characteristics and possible meanings behind the Indigenous Ceremonial Stone Landscape that surrounds us in New England. Often hidden in plain sight in our forests and fields, these enigmatic stone structures can be remnants of a network built by Indigenous Americans for ceremonial and other purposes. 

Doug Harris, Deputy Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Narragansett Indian Tribal Historic Preservation Office, has been Tribally certified in the identification of ceremonial stone features for 16 years. Harris will present an illustrated talk showing the various types of Indigenous ceremonial stone features found in the region.

Won't you join us with a preview of our silent auction items at 1 PM with our program starting at 2 PM? A visit to Upton's Chamber will be offered depending on the weather.

Please be sure to join us and invite friends and family as well!

Find more info at https://metacometlandtrust.org/event/metacomet-land-trust-annual-meeting/

If you cannot make it please consider sending your proxy ballot for the annual meeting to me at this address. It can be found in our annual report here

https://metacometlandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/2018-Metacomet-Land-Trust-Anual-Report-1.pdf


In conservation,
Lisa


Lisa Mosczynski
President
Metacomet Land Trust
508-341-4876

Metacomet Land Trust Annual Meeting - Sunday, May 19
Metacomet Land Trust Annual Meeting - Sunday, May 19

Monday, May 13, 2019

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 14, 2019

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.

A G E N D A
“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
a. Review of Agenda
b. Citizen’s Comments
i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH

c. FHS Student Representative Comments
d. Superintendent’s Report

2. Guests / Presentations
a. FHS School Improvement Plan Update
b. MS School Improvement Plans Update

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. School Choice Vote
I recommend that the School Committee vote to not accept any new School Choice students for the 2019-2020 school year.
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/discussion_actiona_-_school_choice_vote_0.pdf

b. 2019-20 School Committee Meeting Schedule
I recommend adoption of the 2019-20 School Committee meeting schedule as detailed.
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/discussion_actionb_-_19-20_sc_mtg_schedule.pdf

c. Amego School Approval
I recommend approval of the Amego School as recommended by Paula Marano, Director of Student Services as detailed.
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/discussion_actionc_-_amego.pdf

d. School Start Times Advisory Committee
I recommend the Franklin School Committee vote to discontinue the School Start Times Advisory Committee
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/discussion_actiond_-_sstac.pdf

e. Policy – First Readings
I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading:
1. JKAA – Physical Restraint of Students
2. ID – Emotional Support Dogs

4. Discussion Only Items - None

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports 
(e.g. Budget; Community Relations; Policy; Transportation; Public Schools Advocacy; Ad Hoc Superintendent’s Evaluation)
b. School Committee Liaison Reports 
(e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse Task Force; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; School Start Times Advisory Committee
[SSTAC], MASC)

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your April 23, 2019 School Committee meeting as detailed.
b. FHS Scholarship
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Peter Baglioni for the Fernando Baglioni Scholarship as detailed.
c. Solutions Gifts
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1,000.00 for Supplemental supplies for the Solutions Program as follows:

  • Franklin Cultural Council $500.00
  • Middlesex Savings Bank $500.00

d. Parmenter Gifts
I recommend acceptance of three checks totaling $900.00 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips as detailed.
e. Music Gifts
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $2,950.00 for in-house enrichment for the Music Department as follows:

  • Franklin Music Boosters $2,700.00
  • Music Drives Us.org $ 250.00

f. Oak St. Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,748.00 from the Oak Street PCC for Field Trips as detailed.
g. RMS Field Trip – RW Zoo
I recommend approval of the request to take RMS 7th graders to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI on June 4, 2019 as detailed.
h. RMS Field Trip – Stadium Theater
I recommend approval of the request to take RMS 6th Graders to Stadium Theater for the Imagination Series in Woonsocket, RI on June 5, 2019 as detailed.

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence
- Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

11. Adjournment


The documents released for this meeting can be found online:
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-14-2019-school-committee-packet

(Note: Not all the documents are released before the meeting. Some are posted after the meeting (Weds AM))

Davis Thayer playground in the rain
Davis Thayer playground in the rain

Franklin Public Library: The Etiquette Expert of 1890 - May 14

The Etiquette Expert of 1890, Tuesday, May 14, 6:30 PM
"Ladies, raise your skirts (ankle-high only, please) 
Gentlemen, tip your hats - we are stepping into Victorian America! Join us for a promenade through the era of corsets, calling cards and decorum. 
Escorted by Mrs. Russell Parsons, a proper Victorian lady, you will learn all the essentials needed to conduct yourself appropriately in the Age of Gentility. Topics included tea etiquette, fan language, fashion, courtship scandals and more.. 
The Etiquette Expert of 1890 will be performed by Janet Parnes of Historical Portrayals by Lady J, Millis."

Franklin Public Library: The Etiquette Expert of 1890 - May 14
Franklin Public Library: The Etiquette Expert of 1890 - May 14

This was shared from the Franklin Public Library newsletter
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/may-2019-franklin-public-library-newsletter

9th Annual Franklin & Bellingham Franklin Fives Road Race results

The fund raising event for the 9th Annual Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail committee was held in sunshine on Saturday morning, May 11. Approximately 80 runners and walkers covered their choice of the three different courses: 5M, 5K or 1.5 mile.

Full results can be found on CoolRunning
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/19/ma/May11_Frankl_set4.shtml

It was announced before the race start that the race would be renamed in honor of David G Barber.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EDvz_D-PSmUaG0rnzfs2qJQC3I-SwBkA/view?usp=sharing


Race day photos:

Race Director David Labonte makes announcements before the race start
Race Director David Labonte makes announcements before the race start

Part of the runners and walkers
Part of the runners and walkers

Register O'Donnell Reports on April's Real Estate Activity in Norfolk County



Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register O'Donnell Reports on April's Real Estate Activity in Norfolk County

Registry of Deeds William P. O'Donnell stated that real estate sales remained sluggish in Norfolk County, but that the industry saw a slight increase in the volume of mortgage lending activity.

"During April 2019, a total of 1,378 real estate sales were recorded, an identical number to what was recorded in April of 2018. The average sales price, both residential and commercial, did decrease 9% year over year coming in at $802,656. In addition, total dollar sales volume for the month was $665 million, a 9% decrease from the previous year. Hopefully, in the upcoming spring and summer months, we will see a turnaround in these numbers."

One bright spot for April was in mortgage lending activity. A total of 2,022 mortgages were recorded in April in Norfolk County, a modest 2% increase compared to April 2018. Total mortgage borrowing came in at just over $1 billion. "These figures," noted the Register, "may have been stimulated by increased consumer confidence and the Federal Reserve Bank's decision to defer interest rate increases during the past few months."

An area of great improvement seen during April was the reduced amount of foreclosure activity. Register O'Donnell stated, "During April there was a 29% decrease in the number of foreclosures recorded. Even more significantly was the 35 Notice to Foreclose Mortgage filings, the first step in the foreclosure process, recorded during the month, resulting in a whopping 57% decrease year over year. I am very pleased the foreclosure numbers are continuing to trend in this direction."

The Register did note that for anyone experiencing financial trouble with their mortgage, there is help readily available. "The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds continues to partner with Quincy Community Action Programs, 617-479-8181 x376 and NeighborWorks Southern Mass, 508-587-0950. These non-profit agencies are equipped to help those who have received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage document. Another option is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400."

On the consumer front, Norfolk County homeowners continued to take advantage of the protections offered through the Homestead Act. A total of 933 Homestead documents were recorded in April, a modest 4% increase from the previous year. "The Homestead law provides limited protection against the forced sale of a homeowner's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. I urge Norfolk County homeowners to consider this important consumer protection tool," noted O'Donnell.

In conclusion, Register O'Donnell stated, "I was not discouraged by the number of real estate sales recorded in Norfolk County during the month of April. With the economy in eastern Massachusetts continuing to perform well, my hope is that we will see additional inventory hit the market, resulting in increased sales and lending activity. If this occurs, it would certainly help first-time home buyers who are having trouble securing properties due to limited inventory."

"Finally, I was also very encouraged by the foreclosure numbers. While one foreclosure is one too many, I am starting to believe that the worst is behind us."

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
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831

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Register O'Donnell Reports on April's Real Estate Activity in Norfolk County
Register O'Donnell Reports on April's Real Estate Activity in Norfolk County