"Franklin boomed in the 19th and 20th century thanks to industry as entrepreneurs launched new businesses making straw hats, felt, shoes, other textiles and even sugar"
https://youtu.be/RPjNer1iIls
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Once Upon a Town: Industries of Franklin MA
Join Eamon McCarthy Earls and Joe Landry to hear about how
https://youtu.be/RPjNer1iIls
https://youtu.be/RPjNer1iIls
Register O’Donnell Reports Strong 1st Quarter Real Estate Activity Despite COVID-19
Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell reported real estate sales and lending activity experienced solid growth in Norfolk County during the first quarter of 2020 (Jan-March). This growth came despite all the issues encountered with the COVID-19 coronavirus which began to appear in early March.
Register O’Donnell noted, “During the 1st quarter, real estate sales in Norfolk County, both residential and commercial, rose 9% year over year. There were 3,684 properties sold compared to 3,374 during the 1st quarter 2019. This growth can be explained by many real estate sales being in the pipeline prior to COVID-19 impacting Massachusetts. Individuals and businesses were also taking advantage of low interest rates to purchase property.”
The average sales price, again both residential and commercial, during the 1st quarter was $794,546, an 8% increase from the 1st quarter of 2019. Additionally, the total volume of residential and commercial sales for the quarter was $1.6 billion, a 17% increase year over year.
In Norfolk County, a dramatic increase was seen in the number of mortgages recorded during the quarter. A total of 7,768 were recorded during the 1st quarter 2020 compared to 4,532 during the same time period in 2019. “A solid economy prior to COVID-19 and low interest rates were resulting in consumers not only looking to buy property, but also taking advantage of more favorable terms to refinance their existing mortgages,” noted O’Donnell.
The number of Homesteads recorded during the 1st quarter also increased by 9% compared to the 1st quarter 2019. O’Donnell reiterated the advantages of having a Homestead recorded against a homeowners primary residence. “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.”
A note of concern during the quarter was the rise in foreclosure activity. “The number of foreclosure deeds recorded,” noted the Register, “was 43, a 19% increase from the 1st quarter 2019. Also, there was a 63% increase in the number of Notice to Foreclose Mortgage filings, the first step in the foreclosure process.”
The Register also noted, “While the federal government recently ordered foreclosure activity to cease for 60 days in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and many lending institutions have instituted mortgage relief efforts, I am extremely concerned that the current economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 incident will result in a significant spike in foreclosure activity as we move further into 2020. My office continues to partner with Quincy Community Action Programs, 617-479-8181 x376, and NeighborWorks Southern Mass, 508-587-0950 to help anyone having issues paying their mortgages. 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. If anyone is facing a foreclosure, I recommend they avail themselves of one of these excellent programs.”
In conclusion Register O’Donnell stated, “While the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has prevented public access to the Registry building, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has remained open for the recording of land documents. We have been able to do this by utilizing electronic recording for our institutional users and also recording documents received via regular mail and a drop off box. While doing all we can to keep our employees safe by social distancing, instituting workshifts, utilizing alternate work sites and in some cases having employees work from home, we have been able to remain open to record land documents. By instituting these steps, the Registry of Deeds has done its part to keep the Norfolk County real estate market operational during these trying times. These efforts are a tribute to the professionalism shown by the Registry of Deeds employees and the cooperation and patience shown by our customers and the residents of Norfolk County. Clearly, this pandemic has caused massive economic upheaval. There is no question the impact to the real estate market will be significant in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Our pledge at the Registry of Deeds is to do all we can to help the local real estate economy and serve the residents of Norfolk County.”
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 O’Donnell noted, “During the 1st quarter, real estate sales in Norfolk County, both residential and commercial, rose 9% year over year. There were 3,684 properties sold compared to 3,374 during the 1st quarter 2019. This growth can be explained by many real estate sales being in the pipeline prior to COVID-19 impacting Massachusetts. Individuals and businesses were also taking advantage of low interest rates to purchase property.”
The average sales price, again both residential and commercial, during the 1st quarter was $794,546, an 8% increase from the 1st quarter of 2019. Additionally, the total volume of residential and commercial sales for the quarter was $1.6 billion, a 17% increase year over year.
In Norfolk County, a dramatic increase was seen in the number of mortgages recorded during the quarter. A total of 7,768 were recorded during the 1st quarter 2020 compared to 4,532 during the same time period in 2019. “A solid economy prior to COVID-19 and low interest rates were resulting in consumers not only looking to buy property, but also taking advantage of more favorable terms to refinance their existing mortgages,” noted O’Donnell.
The number of Homesteads recorded during the 1st quarter also increased by 9% compared to the 1st quarter 2019. O’Donnell reiterated the advantages of having a Homestead recorded against a homeowners primary residence. “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.”
A note of concern during the quarter was the rise in foreclosure activity. “The number of foreclosure deeds recorded,” noted the Register, “was 43, a 19% increase from the 1st quarter 2019. Also, there was a 63% increase in the number of Notice to Foreclose Mortgage filings, the first step in the foreclosure process.”
The Register also noted, “While the federal government recently ordered foreclosure activity to cease for 60 days in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and many lending institutions have instituted mortgage relief efforts, I am extremely concerned that the current economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 incident will result in a significant spike in foreclosure activity as we move further into 2020. My office continues to partner with Quincy Community Action Programs, 617-479-8181 x376, and NeighborWorks Southern Mass, 508-587-0950 to help anyone having issues paying their mortgages. 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. If anyone is facing a foreclosure, I recommend they avail themselves of one of these excellent programs.”
In conclusion Register O’Donnell stated, “While the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has prevented public access to the Registry building, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has remained open for the recording of land documents. We have been able to do this by utilizing electronic recording for our institutional users and also recording documents received via regular mail and a drop off box. While doing all we can to keep our employees safe by social distancing, instituting workshifts, utilizing alternate work sites and in some cases having employees work from home, we have been able to remain open to record land documents. By instituting these steps, the Registry of Deeds has done its part to keep the Norfolk County real estate market operational during these trying times. These efforts are a tribute to the professionalism shown by the Registry of Deeds employees and the cooperation and patience shown by our customers and the residents of Norfolk County. Clearly, this pandemic has caused massive economic upheaval. There is no question the impact to the real estate market will be significant in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Our pledge at the Registry of Deeds is to do all we can to help the local real estate economy and serve the residents of Norfolk County.”
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.
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| Register O’Donnell Reports Strong 1st Quarter Real Estate Activity Despite COVID-19 |
“Senior isolation is always an issue, especially in the winter time”
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200404/metrowest-greater-milford-seniors-battle-extreme-isolation-during-pandemic
From a soon to be available interview with Karen Alves, Director of the Franklin Senior Center, the Center offers a weekly reassurance call for those who would like to receive one. Please call the Center at 508 520-4945 and leave a message. They will follow up to confirm the details and set up the weekly call.
"Senior citizens and their advocates have long struggled to tackle seclusion and loneliness in a portion of the population – particularly those less fortunate than Foley, without close family or the ability to drive.Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
To see her grandchildren, 79-year-old Hopedale resident Phyllis Foley arms herself with disinfecting wipes, drives a few minutes up the street, and heads into her daughter’s garden.
While she does a little weeding, her grandchildren come out of the house and sit several feet away.
“I think I’ve got a pretty good sense of what to do, because I had to do it for many years,” the former Navy nurse and visiting nurse said, adding that she wipes down every door handle, gives people a wide berth, and rarely leaves her apartment."
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200404/metrowest-greater-milford-seniors-battle-extreme-isolation-during-pandemic
From a soon to be available interview with Karen Alves, Director of the Franklin Senior Center, the Center offers a weekly reassurance call for those who would like to receive one. Please call the Center at 508 520-4945 and leave a message. They will follow up to confirm the details and set up the weekly call.
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| “Senior isolation is always an issue, especially in the winter time” |
Small businesses: Where to go for financial relief information
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Let's beat our 2010 Census response rate this time around
"Recently, you should have received a census form. The US Census determines both State & Federal funding based on the information collected! Be counted! The census is quick, easy, and important, and all of your answers are confidential.We are currently (as of April 3) at 55.8% As of 3/31 we were at 49.3% so we increased by about 6% in a few days.
Visit http://my2020census.gov today!"
In 2010 we responded with a 79.9% rate. Let's get well into the 80% rate this year!
The 2020 Census rate response interactive pagehttps://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html
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| Let's beat our 2010 Census response rate this time around |
Spend a few minutes with Marcus
Better late to this than not to have seen it. The ONE thing the pandemic has given us is time. The real question then comes back, if we let it, "how do we use this time?"
Marcus Buckingham, the strengths guy, speaker, author ... Someone I would put on my 'dream Board of Directors" posted this 14 minute video to Instagram. He did it, not his team, they are all distant now. As we are physically distant too. And we don't, shouldn't be, socially distant. We need each other to get through this.
Spend a few minutes with Marcus. He has a series of these. Don't catch up all at once. Gardening is not a binge action. Gardening takes time, you can not rush it. https://www.instagram.com/tv/B99YyO9AkYJ/
From my email from Marcus:
Marcus Buckingham, the strengths guy, speaker, author ... Someone I would put on my 'dream Board of Directors" posted this 14 minute video to Instagram. He did it, not his team, they are all distant now. As we are physically distant too. And we don't, shouldn't be, socially distant. We need each other to get through this.
Spend a few minutes with Marcus. He has a series of these. Don't catch up all at once. Gardening is not a binge action. Gardening takes time, you can not rush it. https://www.instagram.com/tv/B99YyO9AkYJ/
From my email from Marcus:
Hello. I hope the last 8 videos in the #iseeyouiloveyou series have been useful in your life and the lives of those you love.
I’ve linked each below in case you missed any of them:
- DAY ONE: Where are you strong?
- DAY TWO: The SIGN Interview – find a few people to do this with and let me know what you find.
- DAY THREE: Questions you may have never asked your mother. Or your lover. Or your friend. (Listen in to a conversation I have with my Mum in London!)
- DAY FOUR: “Does it Matter If....?” is one of the most powerful questions to really discover someone.
- DAY FIVE: Resilience: The 2 Sources of Control ~ Discover 2 powerful questions to help you and others take back control.
- DAY SIX: Learn 3 powerful techniques to get people to reveal themselves
- DAY SEVEN: What space are you making for others? (a must-see for PARENTS + TEACHERS!)
- DAY EIGHT: Your #StrongLifeTeam – Your source of Strength: Monday – Friday of this week!
I hope you join me this week for #StrongLifeTeam - Together we will build something for you that you will be able to lean into for a lifetime.
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| https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_banners/53504913/1555960570/1500x500 |
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Two too good not to share!
1 - "Happy birthday Will! We love to bring a smile!"
Also found in the Milford Daily News:Happy birthday Will! We love to bring a smile! Hey @johnkrasinski and @somegoodnews here is #SomeGoodNews ! https://t.co/70nZCAMgfG— Franklin Police (@franklinpolice) April 3, 2020
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200403/video-franklin-boy-serenaded-by-police-on-his-12th-birthday
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| Twitter video screengrab |
2 - Kathy Pennell reads "Brown Bear, Brown Bear ..."
View the story video on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kathy.pennell.10/videos/10222192179696410/
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| Facebook screengrab image |
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