Monday, January 13, 2020

Register O'Donnell Reports on 2019 Norfolk County Real Estate Activity



Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register O'Donnell Reports on 2019 Norfolk County Real Estate Activity
The 2019 real estate market in Norfolk County saw ups and downs characterized by flat residential and commercial property sales, but on the bright side there was a large spike in the number of mortgage documents recorded due to low interest rates.

Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell stated, "During 2019, a total of 18,325 residential and commercial real estate sales transactions were recorded, resulting in a modest 1% increase compared to the previous year. However, the total real estate dollar sales, again both residential and commercial, actually fell 6% to $9.2 billion. The average real estate sales transaction price, combining both residential and commercial sales, was $807,730, a decrease of 4% from the previous year."

The Register noted there was a total of 150,899 land documents recorded at the Registry during 2019, a 7% increase compared to the previous year. "Much of the land document recording increase in 2019," noted O'Donnell, "was attributed to the 21% increase seen in the number of mortgages recorded, including mortgage refinances and home equity loans. Specifically, a total of 29,740 mortgages were recorded during the year versus 24,504 recorded in 2018. Total mortgage financing actually saw a slight 1% dip coming in at $17.6 billion for the year."

Last year saw Norfolk County property owners continue to avail themselves of the protections provided by the Homestead Act. A total of 12,546 Homesteads were recorded, a 4% increase from 2018. O'Donnell again spoke about the importance of having Homestead protection. "A Homestead provides limited protection against the forced sale of a homeowner's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. For more information about the Homestead, including information on what is and is not covered, please consult the Registry's website www.norfolkdeeds.org."

The 2019 calendar year also saw encouraging signs relative to foreclosure activity. A total of 146 foreclosure deeds were filed in Norfolk County last year compared to 221 in 2018, a significant 34% decrease. Additionally, Notice to Foreclose Mortgages, the first step in the foreclosure process, decreased by 24.3%. "While this is good news, we must always remember even one foreclosure is one too many," stated Register O'Donnell.

Specifically, for those who are struggling paying their mortgage, the Registry continues to work in partnership with Quincy Community Action Programs, 617-479-8181 x-376 and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions at 508-587-0950. These organizations can provide direction to homeowners who have received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage document. A third option is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400.

Register O'Donnell concluded, "Last year's sluggish real estate market can be attributed in part to low residential real estate inventory. Until we see increases in available housing stock, property sales will likely remain stagnant. On the bright side, continuing low interest rates should keep the lending market an attractive option for consumers when it comes to paying for capital improvements and other big ticket items. However, we should keep a close eye on the Federal Reserve and interest rates, along with international events to see how these issues impact the economy."

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 2019 Norfolk County Real Estate Activity
Register O'Donnell Reports on 2019 Norfolk County Real Estate Activity



Christmas Tree Collection Days = Week of January 13, 2020

Christmas Tree Collection Days scheduled for the day of your normal pickup during the Week of January 13, 2020
One tree, two trees
Big trees, little trees
Pick up time is your
Trash day this week!

Without the pseudo poetic treatment, confirmed with the Town of Franklin newsletter
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/tof_e-newsletter_jan_2020_final_linked.pdf

and the Solid Waste Flyer
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2019_2020_mailer.pdf


One tree
One tree

two trees
two trees

"Third, how about we rethink smartphones at school?"

Via PsychologyToday - although from Jan 2018, it is as relevant (if not more so) today!

"My inbox has been inundated with reports that our kids are literally dying because of excessive cell phone use. From an editorial in the Lancet to my local radio station, the news is alarming. In many cases, I’m told, our children are on their phones eight or more hours a day, with experts saying it should be limited to just two.

Jean Twenge’s new book iGen has been front and center, insisting that we do something and do it quickly. Kids are using their cell phones way too much and putting their mental health at terrible risk. National surveys are showing that kids today are more anxious than ever before, with spiking rates of depression and suicide. Twenge suspects that this uptick in problems (which every mental health professional knows is happening) occurred at just about the same time as cell phones became a common accessory for most teens. Correlation doesn’t imply causation, but in this case, one has to wonder if the very real increase in emergency room visits for mood disorders and self-reported anxiety among teens isn’t a byproduct of more accessible technology that both connects and isolates at the same time."
Continue reading the article online
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/nurturing-resilience/201801/teens-and-dangerous-levels-cell-phone-use

Hat tip to CoachCJNeely who shared the link via Twitter
https://twitter.com/CoachCJNeely/status/1216050605690707970


PsychologyToday has a current article on teen sexting with guidelines for parents
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/protecting-children-sexual-abuse/202001/teen-sexting-guidelines-parents

"Third, how about we rethink smartphones at school?"
"Third, how about we rethink smartphones at school?"

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Town Council recap Jan 8 meeting: 67 Degree pouring license approved, goals discussed, plastic bag restriction moves closer to reality

The agenda was completed but not in the order as published due to the time requirements. This is not unusual for the Council especially when there is a scheduled hearing for 7:10 PM and they don't have enough to do before that time runs around. In this case, they skipped ahead to cover an 'easy' item, the reintroduction of the snow removal bylaw (which turned out to be lease than 'easy.')

The discussion on the snow removal bylaw could have been straight forward. The Council had given a sense of the state for the reintroduction. The prior wording was reviewed by Town Administrator and Legal Counsel to bring the new version forward addressing the major problem from the prior - lack of enforcement.

During the discussion, it was revealed that none of the businesses, nor the Downtown Partnership, had been given a heads up on the proposal. The item was withdrawn from consideration by the Council and referred to the Economic Development Subcommittee for further discussion and review. It will likely come back to the Council but as the next EDC meeting is scheduled for Feb 5, it won't be likely to provide any relief for this winter season.

The Council turned to the 7:10 hearing and approval for the pouring license for Franklin Brewing Company doing business as 67 Degrees. They are working toward opening at 158 Grove St. They still have some final approvals and work to complete before opening but the pouring license is now approved.

The plastic bag reduction or prohibition (as opposed to ban) came up for discussion and was moved to a second reading. The FHS students will be invited to the next meeting (apparently had a school event conflict with this meeting) to be on hand for eventual approval.

The storm water bylaw moved forward to become a reality. The subcommittee to work out the details for the fee structure still needs to be named. The work to change the quarterly billing statement to add this line item to the current water/sewer and trash/recycling is also underway.

After completing the legislation for action, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen reminded the Council that they had not covered the goals and objectives. The Council then dug into that document as Jamie went through section by section. Multiple additions or clarifications were made along the way.

The Actions Taken document has not yet been published. A link to that will be added when available.

Additional details from the meeting may be found in my notes recorded live during the meeting.

  • Live reporting: TA report to Closing
 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/live-reporting-ta-report-to-closing.html
  • Live reporting: License Transaction - Presentation...
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/live-reporting-license-transaction.html
  • Live reporting: Legislation for Action (updated)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html
  • Live reporting: Town Council - Jan 8, 2020
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/live-reporting-town-council-jan-8-2020.html

Town Council agenda links
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-jan-8.html

storm water fee mock-up (from a recent bill for my household, the actual one may look different)
storm water fee mock-up (from a recent bill for my household, the actual one may look different)

Empty Bowls community event - Jan 25 - Register now - only 25 spots open

"Registration is open for our 1st Empty Bowls community event.
Join us 1/25 to help make ceramic bowls to prepare for the 5th Annual Empty Bowls Dinner on 5/7.
This event is only open to the 1st 25 people who register, so sign up today!"
Register here:
https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/help-us-make-empty-bowls-to-fight-hunger/

Empty Bowls community event - Jan 25 - Register now - only 25 spots open
Empty Bowls community event - Jan 25 - Register now - only 25 spots open (Franklin Food Pantry photo)
 
Shared from the Food Pantry tweet
https://twitter.com/FranklinFoodPan/status/1215332661402787840

FHS boys hockey tie with Foxboro

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Saturday.

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 1 @ Foxboro, 1 – Final
– Franklin senior Tom Tasker scored in the third period to help the Panthers overcome Foxboro goalie Espen Reager and earn a point on the road. Tasker scored just under five minutes into the third to bring the Panthers level, the only time Franklin could solve Reager (54 saves). Sophomore Jack Watts put the hosts in front with a goal in the first period.

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 2 @ Dedham, 5 – Final


For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-11-20/

And via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports


FHS boys hockey tie with Foxboro
FHS boys hockey tie with Foxboro











School Committee Budget Workshop - Agenda - Jan 14, 2020

School Committee Budget Workshop
Municipal Building - 3rd floor Training Room
6:00 PM

This meeting will not be recorded*

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.”


  • Call to Order 
  • Budget Workshop
  • Feedback – Legislative Forum Planning 
  • Adjournment

* unless prohibited from recording, I will be recording this meeting for audio replay. It is a room not prepared for video recording or broadcast.

You can download a copy of the agenda from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/agendas/scagenda_1-14-20-budgetwkshop_0.pdf

For reference:
the 2018 legislative forum is available for video replay
https://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=535
 
Notes from the 2019 forum were posted here (unfortunately, the technical quality of the audio was not worthy of sharing)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/02/notes-from-legislative-forum-feb-5-2019.html

Left to Right: Rep Jeff Roy, Senator Karen Spilka, and MASC Exec Dir Glenn Koocher
Left to Right: Rep Jeff Roy, Senator Karen Spilka, and MASC Exec Dir Glenn Koocher at the 2019 Legislative Forum