Pineapple pizza? Yes or No?

How divisive have we become online? Very.

"What does pineapple pizza have to do with interference by Russia and other trolls in U.S. elections? 

Everything, the head of an American cybersecurity agencies says. Because foreign governments, trying to create divisiveness, want Americans to argue and will go after low hanging fruit, like pizza toppings. 

From a little-known conference put on by Fordham University and the FBI this week, DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Christopher Krebs tweeted his own hot take on pineapple pizza: Thumbs down.

....

CISA breaks down the playbook of foreign influencers into five steps: targeting divisive issues (see: pineapple pizza), moving accounts into place, amplifying and distorting the conversation, making the mainstream (see: NBC News story about pineapple pizza), and taking the conversation into the real world.

Krebs said his agency is trying to strengthen the national immune system for disinformation. "How do you take the tactics, techniques, and procedures of the bad guys, and educate the American people? How do you explain, 'This is how you’re being manipulated, this is how they’re hacking your brain?'"

Continue reading the article online: 
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-cybersecurity-agency-uses-pineapple-pizza-demonstrate-vulnerability-foreign-n1035296

Pineapple pizza? Yes or No?

Who’s reporting robocalls?

Who's reporting robocalls? by Paul Witt, Lead Data Analyst, Division of Consumer Response & Operations Have you ever reported an unwanted call to the FTC, whether it's a robocall (where you hear a recorded message) or call from a live person? If so, thank you.  Reporting, I'm sorry to say, won't end these annoying calls, but it helps the FTC and other law enforcement agencies investigate and bring cases against scammers and businesses that aren't following the law. In fact, the FTC's recent actions against robocallers show what your report can do.  Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/07/whos-reporting-robocalls?utm_source=govdelivery  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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MA Walking Tour Concert (video)

We shared the Massachusetts Walking Tour schedule here in June. This video shares some highlights of the walk as well as the concert that took place in Norfolk.

"The Massachusetts Walking Tour -- this year highlighting the local area’s Ten Mile River Watershed -- runs June 17 through 29. All on foot, the traveling musicians give a free concert in each community they stop at and host daily community hikes to bring awareness to local natural resources. In each town, they invite local performers to share the stage with them, promoting local arts and culture in the process.

Like traveling minstrels of old, songwriters Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards are getting ready to pack up their instruments and other gear and take their show on the road.

The pair is marking the 10th year of their Massachusetts Walking Tour - this year highlighting the region’s Ten Mile River Watershed."

From June 2019
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/06/in-news-massachusetts-walking-tour.html




Visit the Mass Walking Tour page for details on the route and concert schedule
http://masswalkingtour.org/2019-tour/

Massachusetts Walking Tour - 2019

FM #168 - Joint Budget Subcommittee Mtg 7/24/19 (audio)

FM #168

This internet radio show or podcast is number 168 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. The joint budget subcommittee is comprised of members of the Town Council, School Committee, and Finance Committee and is supported by members of the Town Administration as well as the School District Central Office.

Plans started for an override to be put before the voters for the FY 2021 budget at the meeting held in June meeting. This meeting picks up and provides some updates on events since the prior meeting. (Audio recording of the June meeting is linked below)

The Legislative Conference Committee has submitted their budget to the Governor who has 10 days to review, modify and approve the whole, or parts thereof. What went to the Governor is looking good for Franklin’s budget situation given the word from Senate President Spilka and Representative Roy. (Both their letters were share here earlier, links also provided below)

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Sara Ahern jointly authored a memo to the Governor regarding Franklin’s interest in the FY 2020 budget. (Copy attached)

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen also walked through an abridged version of the Five Year Fiscal Forecast for Franklin. (Copy attached)

There will be an open planning session on Sep 11 at the Senior Center at 6:30 PM. Additional details will be included as that announcement comes out.

Without further ado, here is the audio recording (approx 45 minutes).


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Additional References:
The Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of June 2019
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/06/fm-167-joint-budget-subcommittee.html

Senate President Spilka letter
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/legislature-passes-balanced-budget-with.html

Representative Roy letter
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/this-consensus-fiscal-year-2020-budget.html

The joint memo to the Governor
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lNwBM3PwuDbx7D03ys_DPZouGOoVHqVZ/view?usp=sharing

The abridged 5 Year Fiscal Forecast
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FZiTDKj0sOVFi9tdcYLObOayEq8id8kN/view?usp=sharing


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help?

In particular, if you have an interest in real estate, zoning, or construction, I would like someone to help us by following the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and or the Conservation Commission meetings. I’ll provide the guidance on note taking and sharing. You need to bring an inquisitive, open mind, and willingness to learn and share.

Overall:

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
• If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

 

1950's Car Show - August 10

A car show featuring vehicles from the 1950's is scheduled for the Benchmark Senior Living Center on Forge Hill Aug 10. Additional details in the flyer image.

1950's Car Show - August 10

Register O'Donnell Answers the Question - Where is My Deed?

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Answers the Question - Where is My Deed? When interacting with the general public, Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell and the staff of the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds are asked many questions relative to land documents. One of the most common questions asked is where is my deed? Register O'Donnell noted, "When a property transaction in Norfolk County takes place, a new deed is recorded here at the Registry of Deeds. This deed is a legal document affirming that a piece of property has been transferred from the seller (grantor) to the buyer (grantee). The filing fee for recording a deed, set by state statute, is $126.00." After a deed is recorded, Registry of Deeds personnel enter and scan the document into the Registry's computer system. The deed is then available for viewing via the Registry's website www.norfolkdeeds.org. In addition to viewing the deed, anyone can print a non-certified copy of the deed, free of charge, from the website. A certified copy of the deed will cost $1.00 per page plus an additional $1.00 per document for postage if the request is made by regular mail. Further information about obtaining a copy of a certified deed can be had by calling the Registry's Customer Service Center, Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM, at 781-461-6101. Register O'Donnell pointed out that while the recording, online storing, viewing and printing a copy of a deed is pretty straight forward, there are some private companies that take advantage of a property owner's desire for a copy of their deed. "Norfolk County residents," stated O'Donnell, "are receiving solicitations from private companies stating they can obtain a copy of their deed for an outrageous fee of $86.00. Under no circumstances should someone fall for this deed scam. As stated above, viewing of all land documents, including deeds, recorded in Norfolk County are available online via www.norfolkdeeds.org. A non-certified copy of a deed can be printed free while a certified copy can be obtained for a nominal fee. If someone gets one of these deed scam solicitations, throw it away or if you have a question, contact our Customer Service Center at the 781-461-6101 number." In conclusion, Register O'Donnell noted, "For most individuals, a home is the most important economic possession they have. They want to make sure their deed is recorded accurately and is easily accessible if needed. In Norfolk County, we achieve these goals each and every day. While many people want a certified copy of their deed for peace of mind, the important thing to note is that it is available online via our website www.norfolkdeeds.org." 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: 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 email marketing for free today!

Register O'Donnell Answers the Question - Where is My Deed?

“The way that the pills came to New England wasn’t from the local prescription pad”

Following up on the database released by the Washington Post with the opioid pills by manufacturer and distributor, the Boston Globe has an article on the single pharmacy in MA doing the most volume. The story within the data has many factors. The article also quotes Dr Ruth Potee who has been featured by the SAFE Coalition.

"Little about the appearance of the only CVS store in this picturesque old mill city of 17,000 suggests anything remarkable.

The cream-colored 24-hour pharmacy occupies a plaza wedged between a brick public elementary school and a storefront business that prepares tax returns.

But this CVS in the northern part of the state’s Pioneer Valley bears a dubious distinction: From 2006 to 2012, the pharmacy received the largest number of opioid painkillers of any neighborhood drugstore in Massachusetts, taking in 5.3 million hydrocodone and oxycodone pills from pharmaceutical distributors, according to recently released federal data.

The data, which The Washington Post and other media outlets recently obtained from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, has stirred concerns about the painkillers that poured into this Western Massachusetts city."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/07/28/one-drugstore-dispensed-lot-painkillers-but-that-not-whole-story/knyhZsDzpA8gbHL8WggXEM/story.html

The post from last week

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/how-much-hydrocodone-and-oxycodone-went.html

 

 

Dr. Ruth Potee noted that many pills arrive in New England from places other than local pharmacies.(Steven G. Smith for The Boston Globe)