National News Highlights

• Supreme Court Denies Trump’s Bid to Conceal Taxes, Financial Records - The New York Times

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/22/us/politics/supreme-court-trump-taxes-financial-records.html

• Public Policy and Health in the Trump Era via  The Lancet 

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32545-9/fulltext

• Fauci: US political divide over masks led to half a million COVID-19 deaths

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/public-global-health/539999-fauci-us-political-divide-over-masks-led-to-half-a

• Biden honors covid-19 victims amid staggering toll, signs of hope

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-covid-deaths/2021/02/22/911952b0-7527-11eb-8115-9ad5e9c02117_story.html  

President Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff observe a moment of silence at the White House Monday. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

5 Tips for Safer WIFI via EWG (video)

"Whether working remotely, attending school online or just staying in touch with family and friends during the pandemic, you’re probably also relying more than ever on Wi-Fi and cell service. 

While these technologies can empower us to keep working and learning while staying safe, they also come with their own risks.

Learn 5 simple steps you can take to reduce your exposure to radiofrequency radiation while staying connected.

To keep up with EWG's latest research on radiofrequency radiation, head to www.ewg.org/cellphone-radiation"

Direct video link =  https://youtu.be/vPmT-TPRqZQ

LiveARTS: Celebrate Women Composers with Flutist Amy Porter - Feb 28

Sunday, February 28th at 3:00pm via zoom!

LiveARTS presents Flutist and Pianist AMY PORTER and LIZ AMES in a streaming concert on Zoom!   Sunday, February 28th at 3 PM   Flutist Amy Porter (left) and Pianist Liz Ames (Right) Flutist Amy Porter enjoys a versatile and distinguished career as one of the world's leading concert performers. After graduating from Juilliard Ms. Porter has been a featured soloist with the American Composers Orchestra at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall, and with the Atlanta, Houston, Omaha, Delaware, and Albany orchestras. Ms. Porter is Principal Flute of North Carolina's Brevard Music Center, where she performs as soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. PROGRAM Sonate pour flute et piano - Mel Bonis (1858-1937) Andantino con moto Scherzo Vivace Adagio Finale Sachamama for flute and pre-recorded tape (1997) - Anne LeBaron (b. 1953) Homeland (2018) - Allison Loggins Hull (b. 1982)     Zoo Song (2017) For singing flutist - Nina Shekhar (b. 1995) Concertino for Flute and Piano, op. 107 (1902) - Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944) Join us for the second concert of our current season, a donation-based concert! To take advantage of this opportunity, go to our website, liveartsma.org, and order a free ticket. The Zoom link will be emailed to you 24 hours before the concert. Tickets are free, but donations are always welcome! Watch your email for more information. You can download Zoom using this link:  Download Zoom Copyright © 2021, LiveARTS.org.  All rights reserved.

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda - Feb 24, 2021

Finance Committee Meeting

February 24, 2021 - 6:30 PM (note time change)

 

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes

a. January 13, 2021

4. Debt and Borrowing presentation

a. Kerri Bertone, Treasurer & Christopher Sandini, Finance Director/Comptroller

5. Fire Department Update

a. ALS/BLS and Mileage Rate Changes

b. Fire Truck Borrowing Resolution

6. Stabilization Funds Update & Comparabiles

7. Future Agenda Items

8. Adjourn

The full agenda and meeting documents (Note - doc was updated on Monday to show a change in start time from 6 to 6:30 PM)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2-24-21_fincom_agenda_1.pdf

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/fincom_agenda_02-24-21_updated.pdf

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda - Feb 24, 2021

Town of Franklin - Finance Presentation - 02/24/21 from Franklin Matters

FHS girls swim team takes First, boys take Second in Hock Swim Championships

Via HockomockSports.com we share the following:

GIRLS - TEAM RESULTS

1. Franklin – 394.5

2. Oliver Ames – 351

3. King Philip – 240

4. Canton – 216

5. Attleboro – 146

T6. Taunton – 142

T6. Foxboro – 142

8. Mansfield – 124.5

9. Sharon – 111.5

10. Milford – 110.5

11. North Attleboro – 74

12. Stoughton – 36

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-girls-swim-championships-2021-results/

BOYS - TEAM RESULTS

1. Sharon – 315

2. Franklin – 280.5

3. Attleboro – 227

4. Taunton – 219

5. Oliver Ames – 203

6. Mansfield – 177

7. Canton – 161

8. King Philip – 153

9. Milford – 125

10. Foxboro – 114

11. North Attleboro – 68

12. Stoughton – 52

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-boys-swim-championships-2021-results/

https://secureservercdn.net/50.62.172.113/3ea.72d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Complete-HOCK-Swim-resutls-2021-Covid.pdf

Franklin's event results

**Event # 1 GIRLS 200Y MEDLEY RELAY
3 Franklin A FRA  2:03.84
1 C. Tang; 2 M. Lawlor; 3 E. Tang; 4 K. Chew

EX Franklin B FRA 2:17.00
1 K. Liberman; 2 A. Taddeo; 3 A. Kaplan; 4 V. Loukota

**Event # 2 BOYS 200Y MEDLEY RELAY
4 Franklin A FRA      1:55.48
1 D. Gurge; 2 S. Brooks; 3 L. Cashin; 4 J. Wu

EX Franklin B FRA    2:18.21
1 A. Simmons; 2 J. Copeland; 3 R. O'Rourke; 4 J. Dimarzio

**Event # 3 GIRLS 200Y FREESTYLE
3  Bourgeois, S         FRA 2:06.48
6  Ferreira, Emma         FRA 2:08.04
8  Wainwright, Maia FRA 2:12.26

**Event # 4 BOYS 200Y FREESTYLE
2    Titmuss, Bleddyn FRA 1:58.03
12   Simms, Zachary FRA 2:10.71

**Event # 5 GIRLS 200Y I.M.
2   Tang, Christine FRA 2:20.49
7   Sinotte, Faye         FRA 2:38.10
8   Lawlor, Madison FRA 2:39.52

**Event # 6 BOYS 200Y I.M.
4   Cashin, Luke      FRA 2:15.74
8   Cashin, Dillon     FRA 2:27.73

** Event # 7 GIRLS 50Y FREESTYLE
2 Tang, Elizabeth FRA 27.23
6 Chew, Kathryn FRA 27.96
9 Lapuma, Alyssa FRA 28.52

** Event # 8 BOYS 50Y FREESTYLE
14 Simmons, Anderew FRA 28.79
21 Dimarzio, Jacob   FRA    30.31
29 Tulloch, Luke FRA 34.29

** Event # 9 GIRLS 100Y BUTTERFLY
4 Tang, Elizabeth FRA 1:04.57
6 Bourgeois, S FRA 1:08.82
17 Elkins, Julia FRA 1:22.23

** Event # 10 BOYS 100Y BUTTERFLY
5  Cashin, Luke      FRA 1:00.89
6  Titmuss, Bleddyn    FRA 1:02.07
10  Gurge, Daniel      FRA 1:07.47

** Event # 11 GIRLS 100Y FREESTYLE
5  Lapuma, Alyssa FRA 1:00.66
8  Desroches, A FRA 1:02.16
11  Kaplan, Abby FRA 1:03.73

** Event # 12 BOYS 100Y FREESTYLE
8 Wu, James FRA 56.74
11 Brooks, Simon FRA 59.47
19 O'Rourke, Rowan FRA 1:09.01

** Event  # 13 GIRLS 500Y FREESTYLE
3 Ferreira, Emma FRA 5:42.71
6 Wainwright, Maia FRA 5:47.37
10 Remillard, L FRA 6:03.05

** Event # 14 BOYS 500Y FREESTYLE
6 Simms, Zachary FRA 6:01.79
9    Simmons, Anderew FRA 6:43.80
15 Copeland, Joseph FRA 8:00.18

** Event # 15 GIRLS 200Y FREE RELAY
1 Franklin A FRA 1:51.59
1 E. Ferreira; 2 L. Remillard; 3 S. Bourgeois; 4 K. Chew

Franklin B FRA   2:07.56
1 S. Choudhury; 2 J. Cheuvront; 3 M. Bryant; 4 F. Ellin

** Event # 16 BOYS 200Y FREESTYLE RELAY
6 Franklin A FRA    1:45.31
1 J. Wu; 2 D. Gurge; 3 D. Cashin; 4 B. Titmuss

EX Franklin B FRA 2:16.44
1 T. Soni; 2 A. Savant; 3 J. Dimarzio; 4 L. Tulloch

** Event # 17 GIRLS 100Y BACKSTROKE
3 Tang, Christine FRA   1:05.58
5 Chew, Kathryn FRA   1:06.84
9 Sinotte, Faye FRA   1:09.42

** Event # 18 BOYS 100Y BACKSTROKE
8 Cashin, Dillon FRA 1:07.23
9 Gurge, Daniel FRA 1:09.45
23 O'Rourke, Rowan FRA 1:30.42

** Event # 19 GIRLS 100Y BREASTSTROKE
4 Lawlor, Madison FRA 1:18.78
7  Taddeo, A         FRA 1:21.79
9  Peng, Charlene         FRA     1:22.85

** Event # 20 BOYS 100Y BREASTSTROKE
1  Lapuma, Brendan FRA     1:07.51
6 Wu, James FRA     1:14.01
7 Brooks, Simon    FRA 1:14.86

** Event # 21 GIRLS 400Y FREE REL
2 Franklin A FRA    4:01.02
1 E. Ferreira; 2 E. Tang; 3 S. Bourgeois; 4 C. Tang

EX Franklin B FRA   4:35.72
1 V. Loukota; 2 K. Liberman; 3 F. Ellin; 4 M. Bryant

** Event # 22 BOYS 400Y FREESTYLE RELAY
2 Franklin A FRA  3:46.94
1 L. Cashin; 2 B. Titmuss; 3 S. Brooks; 4 B. Lapuma

EX Franklin B FRA DQ
1 R. O'Rourke; 2 A. Simmons; 3 Z. Simms; 4 D. Cashin

FHS girls swim team takes First, boys take Second in Hock Swim Championships

FHS Gymnastics shares the overall results for the Hockomock Cup

FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) tweeted on Sun, Feb 21, 2021:

Standings for The Hockomock Cup. Details and placements will be posted this week!  Great job by ALL teams. Thank you @Coach_Angelo for championing this event!! 

@FHSSports @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters @MetroWestSports @HockomockSports @MyFM1013 @KatCornetta @fhsgymboosters https://t.co/tK4lgTxNHe

Shared from Twitter https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1363661683605012483  and

https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1363820893701562371

FHS Gymnastics shares the overall results for the Hockomock Cup

Still in AWE of these girls! Recap of our meet vs Mansfield coming soon!!

Register O’Donnell Reports Increased Real Estate Numbers in Norfolk County

Despite continuing challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell reported increased numbers in many real estate categories during the month of January, 2021.

“The Norfolk County real estate market” noted Register O’Donnell, “has continued to be busy.  Historically, January as one of the winter months does not see as much real estate activity.  However, there were 15,494 documents recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds which is a 36% increase over last year’s January document volume.  There were 1,285 deeds recorded out of this document volume, representing a 2% increase over January of last year.  Average sale price, again including both residential and commercial sales, increased 6% over 2019 to $951,679.85.  The real estate numbers are robust especially considering that last year’s January real estate numbers were prior to the onset of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 emergency declarations.”

In addition to real estate sales, the Norfolk County lending market has been busy in January.  There were 4,189 mortgages recorded during the month which is a 75% increase over 2019.  Total amount of money borrowed for mortgages county wide was over 1.8 billon, a 42% increase compared to January 2019.  “While some of the mortgages are due to purchases and sales of real estate, there are a large number of individuals and families taking advantage off historically low interest rates by refinancing existing mortgages.  Individuals have different motivations to refinance.  Some refinance to reduce their monthly payments, others to take some years off their debt while still others are using the money to pay for home improvements and other capital expenditures” said Register O’Donnell.  

Register O’Donnell went on to state, “There has been a strong demand for housing, single family housing particular, coupled with a limited supply of available housing stock and historically low interest rates which could be motivating buyers to do what is necessary to secure housing.  Lending activity was up.  The growth in numbers seen in 2020 continues into 2021.  However, there are expectations that for 2021 many of the numbers may not be as expansive as what took place in 2020.”

Register O’Donnell Reports Increased Real Estate Numbers in Norfolk County

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has been closely watching the foreclosure market.  A moratorium on foreclosures in place during the pandemic in 2020 was lifted on October 17, 2020.  This moratorium was in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  O’Donnell stated, “During January of 2021 there was only 1 foreclosure deed recorded as a result of foreclosure processes taking place in Norfolk County.  Additionally, there were 7 Notices to Foreclosure Mortgages, the first step in the foreclosure process, recorded here in Norfolk County.  A foreclosure recording is very impactful on those being foreclosed on.  These numbers are extremely low especially when you consider in January of 2019 pre-COVID here were 46 Notices to Foreclosure Mortgages and 15 foreclosure Deeds.  The foreclosure numbers in the future bear watching given the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.”

“The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has also been working in close cooperation with Attorney General Maura Healey’s office to ensure there are no abuses being perpetrated against homeowners while the COVID-19 state of emergency is ongoing,” noted O’Donnell.

Additionally, for the past several years, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has partnered with Quincy Community Action Programs, 617-479-8181 x376, and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, 508-587-0950 to help anyone facing challenges paying their mortgage. Another option for homeowners is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400. Register O’Donnell stated, “If you are having difficulty paying your monthly mortgage, please consider contacting one of these non-profit agencies for help and guidance.”

Homestead recordings by owners of homes and condominiums continue to occur at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds in January.  “A Homestead,” noted O’Donnell, “provides limited protection against the forced sale of an individual’s primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. I would urge anyone who has not availed themselves of this important consumer protection tool to consider doing so.  Please visit the Registry website at www.norfolkdeeds.org  to get more information on homestead protection.”

In conclusion, Register O’Donnell stated, “Many small businesses and specific sectors of our economy, such as restaurant and hospitality, have been negatively impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. One sector that has continued to thrive during the pandemic is the real estate market, particularly the residential market. There have been many factors that have kept the Norfolk County real estate market viable. Motivated buyers and sellers, low interest rates, and the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds remaining open for the recording of land documents. While the Registry of Deeds building in Dedham remains closed to the general public, we at the Registry remain open operationally to serve our customers, the residents of Norfolk County and real estate professionals alike. By listening to public health officials, practicing social distancing, making sure all staff are wearing masks and taking any and all other steps necessary, the Registry of Deeds has remained open for business. Land documents are being recorded electronically for many of our institutional users. We are also receiving documents via regular mail, Federal Express and from those placed in our drop-off box located just outside our main entrance at 649 High Street, Dedham, MA. As your Norfolk County Register of Deeds, I want to thank all of you for the cooperation, patience and understanding you have shown myself and the Registry staff while this pandemic has been ongoing. Be healthy. Be safe.”

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 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.