FHS Graduation 2021! It’s an Outdoor Affair

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director  05/16/2021

We began our preparations for FHS Panther Graduation 2021 several weeks ago. Every year it is our most ‘mission critical’ program, and we take many steps to ensure the event’s success as best we can. Given that it’s live, happens once, and more than 400 graduating students have extended families and friends who are eager to watch either on cable or on our Franklin Pride live stream.

No pressure.

Prior to the pandemic we had our technical setup and production routine down pretty well. Even then, we took nothing for granted. In 2020? Well, we all know what happened. We had to record the graduation proceedings carefully over three days while all graduates were socially (and chronologically) distanced.  Editing over 400 student moments timely into the final program also was a challenge.

Last year gave us a new celebration – The Panther Car Parade. We covered it live on wfpr●fm 102.9, and this year it’s back by popular demand. We plan to carry the parade live on Comcast 96, Verizon 28, video streaming and on the radio as well.

We’ll be everywhere – in your TV set, your computer, your smartphone and your radio. The Panther Car Parade will take place the day after graduation.

Currently, graduation itself will be outdoors, live from Panther Field on Friday evening at 5 PM. Of necessity, it will be a simpler affair. No procession or recession. No live band or chorus. The customary stage will be set on the track in front of the bleachers. The entire field will provide seating for graduates and their families, clustered in pods – socially distanced groups of five.  The give-n-get is that, although the ceremonies are simplified, the grads do get to sit with family.

In the event that the weather doesn’t cooperate, both events will shift by one day.
You can watch all the festivities – live – on our Franklin Pride Channel, Comcast 96 or Verizon 28. You can also listen – live – on wfpr●fm 102.9. We will also repeat both events the following week and post them to our Video-on-Demand service where you may also download as you wish – to have and to hold.

And –  as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 

And, thank you for watching. 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online

http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  or for archive purposes  https://drive.google.com/file/d/16ONt3eFsrOlO8ztiNv4yjUjfeI3UmOfK/view?usp=sharing

"From the Panther Car Parade in 2020

Finance Committee - Meeting Agenda - May 19

Finance Committee Meeting 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

May 19th, 2021 -> 6:00 PM

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes

4. Budget Stabilization Policy

5. State Aid Update

6. Future Agenda Items

7. Adjourn

Agenda doc has the connection info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/5-19-21_fincom_agenda.pdf

Note: this won't be a long meeting as the Town Council is scheduled for the Council Chambers for the their meeting at 7 also on Wednesday

The budget stabilization policy was not released for this meeting in the agenda doc. It was part of the April 27 budget hearing package ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/4.27.21_fin_com_agenda.pdf

and also part of the Capital Subcommittee agenda documents for the May 5 meeting  ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/5-5-2021_capital_subcommittee_meeting_agenda_1.pdf

Good Deeds: Notice Of Real Estate Fraud

By: William P. O'Donnell

"At the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds there have been a number of modernization initiatives implemented.  One such initiative has been the free on-line Consumer Notification Service offered by the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds to property owners in the 28 communities that make up Norfolk County.  The purpose of the Consumer Notification Service is to help protect Norfolk County property and home owners against the negative consequences of property fraud.

The Consumer Notification Service is available through the Registry website http://www.norfolkdeeds.org.  The purpose of this Consumer Notification Service is to proactively give as much information to the consumer in a timely manner.  The Registry of Deeds deals with the biggest asset most of us have, which is our home.  The Consumer Notification Service is a way to make sure that if someone is perpetrating a fraud on the title of your home that you get notice of that fraud.  Any owner of real estate property in the twenty-eight communities that make up Norfolk County can sign up for the Consumer Notification Service free of charge.  Go to the Registry's website, click Services and click on the Consumer Notification Service page, there is a "Sign Up For Alerts" button.

Why should a homeowner consider signing up for this program?  The Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) reports that property and mortgage fraud is one of the fastest growing white collar crimes in America.  Multiple jurisdictions across the country have reported individuals recording fraudulent documents and making it appear that they own another person's home or property.  Once this is done the unscrupulous criminal may try to use the property as an asset to secure money.

I can vouch for the Consumer Notification Service at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds not as the person tasked with the responsibility of overseeing this real estate operation but as someone who has signed up for this service.  The system sends an email alert out to me if there is some document recorded in my name.  Once I receive a notice I can go on the Registry website to view the document in question.  My dad who climbed utility poles for the Boston Edison for 38 years would remind me that some folks may not be great on the computer.  In that case after receiving your email notification you can call the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at 1-781-461-6101 to follow up and get some guidance.  I have gotten email notices of deeds, mortgages, mortgage discharges and other land documents.  Luckily these notices have involved other William O'Donnells and did not involve my home.   You may consider an email notification a small inconvenience when you weigh the consequences of a fraud on your house or condominium.  There may be a time that when I get one of these notifications and it will show a fraudulent deed involving my home or a fraudulent mortgage on my property.  The fraud has not been prevented but the Consumer Notification Service will be a way to get notified and get on the problem right away.  On the Registry website we have Law Enforcement Contact Information.

I mention this free Consumer Notification Service for Norfolk County property owners as a number of homeowners have recently contacted me about a private corporation that will provide its "basic protection service" which monitors your title and notifies you of problems, of course for a fee.  Some folks may see free as better and decide to sign up for the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Consumer Notification Service.  Under Massachusetts law a forged signature does not convey ownership so the forged deed would be void as would any mortgage that was put on as a result of the fraudulent deed.  The real risk is not that you will lose your property, it is that you will be saddled with the hassle and cost of proving to everyone that you did not execute the forged deed.  There would be time costs as well as monetary costs involving law enforcement as well as attorneys to represent you in making sure the fraud is proved.  The Consumer Notification Service of the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds would be a prompt way to be informed of a fraud against your home and then immediately take the necessary steps to protect the biggest asset most of us have, our home, and fight the fraud. 

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."

Good Deeds: Notice Of Real Estate Fraud

Watch "We are Local - Love My Local MA" on YouTube

Whether it is #shopFranklin, #thinkFranklinFirst, #KeepItLocal, spending money in Franklin helps Franklin.

Direct link to video -> https://youtu.be/vaWHjnFWuV8

Job Search Events this week that may interest you

1) For mature job-seekers:  50+ Jobseekers Networking Group event Monday night at 6:30pm.  We shall present the third and final session of interview preparation & strategies.

Register at www.50plusjobseekers.org

If already registered, use the Zoom URL you used to attend previous sessions.

1B) On Tuesday at 10:30am, you can use the same URL to attend our Give to Get (G2G) networking session,  These are the client-directed sessions.  You tell us what you would like to work on.

2) On Wednesday, my own practice interview group meets at 10am.

All of you are welcome to register and attend.  You are invited to a Zoom meeting.

When: May 19, 2021 10:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada). Register in advance for this meeting:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclceCtqD0tGdez9QekNNQxEhm2YhRvrTDG

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

----------------------------------

Thanks and have a great week,

Ed Lawrence

www.getstart-ed.com

Job Search Events this week that may interest you

Franklin (1) in the news for the UVGA lamps, (2) could we consider Amherst's example to help with engagement?

From the Mass Municipal Association (MMA) we find to share:

1 - "Franklin installs ultraviolet lamps to destroy coronaviruses"

"Using technology both visible and hidden, the town of Franklin has improved the air quality in its municipal and school buildings and reduced the chances of people catching COVID-19."

Continue reading online -> https://www.mma.org/franklin-installs-ultraviolet-lamps-to-destroy-coronaviruses/

2 - "Amherst launches online engagement platform"

"The town of Amherst has developed a new prong in its online engagement strategy with the launch of a new interactive platform, Engage Amherst.

The March launch comes a year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced cities and towns across the state to pivot from in-person meetings and hearings to remote, online engagement with residents."

Continue reading online -> https://www.mma.org/amherst-launches-online-engagement-platform/

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Meeting Agenda - May 19

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

May 19, 2021 - 7:00 PM

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

b. Chair to identify Council Members participating remotely

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Board.

4. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION

5. ADJOURN

Please find the agenda and connection info for the Meeting https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-05-19_town_council_agenda_1.pdf

Maple Hill Definitive Subdivision Plan (per submission to Planning Board)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/definitive_subdivision_plan.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Meeting Agenda - May 19