Senator Ross: November 2015 State House Update

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, November 2015 View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website LinkedIn State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District. State House Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email:richard.ross@masenate.gov Dear Friends, The holiday season is about spending time with family and friends and recognizing the blessings bestowed upon us. This past month, more than ever, I am constantly reminded of how fortunate I am to represent you in the State Senate. I am thankful for our local heroes who have given so much, I am thankful for the tireless dedication of our staff at the COAs, and I am grateful for everyone in our cities and towns who donate much of their time to their communities. Please read/share my newsletter for updates on Beacon Hill and how you can give back this holiday season. Sincerely,

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In the News: signs of drug abuse, investigation of fire continues

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

A local group devoted to fighting substance abuse will hold a forum next week on the signs of drug use. 

The Support for Addicts and Families by Empowerment (SAFE) coalition will hold the session - intended to help family members identify signs that loved ones are abusing drugs or alcohol - on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at Franklin High School. 

James Derick, the president of the coalition's board of directors, said the interactive forum will discuss signs, symptoms and solutions. 

"We will have packages available, so parents can handle items commonly identified as signs a loved one might be using," he said. "These are things like Q-tips, bent spoons and burnt tinfoil. They're things parents might walk by."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151202/NEWS/151208688/1994/NEWS

The Massachusetts Fire Marshal's office is still in the midst of investigating the explosion that took the lives of two Franklin residents in October. 

Nancy and Richard Brown, both 66, apparently died as the result of the Tuscany Drive blast, which took place shortly before 7 a.m. on Oct. 10. 

Jennifer Mieth, a spokeswoman with the fire marshal's office, said the investigation has two components: determining the origin and cause of the explosion and looking into whether there was a violation of state codes. 

"We're waiting to have scheduled a forensic investigation of the building's burner and gas log fireplace," she said. "Because the testing could be destructive, we need all the parties to agree and come together."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151202/NEWS/151208620/1994/NEWS

Looking back to April 2015

Some key events took place in April. The Finance Committee began its series of public hearings on the FY 2016 budget. When the hearings and approvals were completed in May, the Town Council scheduled their own hearings for June.

• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #4
• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #3
• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #2
• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #1

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The Town Council heard about the proposal to move the Recreation Dept from 150 Emmons St (since that building was being sold) to a building on Beaver St. The property at 275 Beaver St was the proposed location. The Town Council approved funding the purchase.

275 Beaver St in March 2015

Recreation Dept in Oct 2015

• Town Council - 04/15/15
• Town Council - 04/01/15

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All the archives for April 2015 can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015_04_01_archive.html

Holiday Stroll performers

The listing of the Holiday Stroll performers to listen to on Thursday, Dec 3 in downtown Franklin:

This was shared from
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2015/12/holiday-stroll-performers.html

Adult Coffee and Craft, Saturday, December 5th, 1:00 PM

Take a break from the cold and have a warm cup of coffee or tea while you join us to assemble a soup mix in a jar. We’ll provide all the ingredients and decorations to personalize the jar. You add the “love” to create a gift that will warm the heart and soul.

soup mix in a jar

Where: at the Franklin Library

When: Saturday, Dec 5th, 1:00 PM


This was shared from the Franklin Library page   http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/

Franklin Art Association: December Newsletter

Dear Members and Friends,  

The holiday season is upon us! Black Friday! Cyber Monday! Shop! Bargains! Buy! A constant barrage of advertising to spur us on to find that perfect gift! 

In the midst of this flurry of activity, I’d like to share something that took place quietly without fanfare and reminds us all of the simple gesture of giving. It goes like this: The little girl loved the painting, she had a Peoples’ Choice ballot in her hand, and she wanted to vote for the painting that she loved. When the family was leaving, the artist brought the little girl back to the painting she loved, and took it off the wall and gave it to her. This little girl will never forget this gift from a stranger at an art show. She hugged the painting close to her so her mother wouldn’t see it, because it was going to be her mother’s birthday gift. Thank you Don Iacovelli for this act of kindness, and making one little girl very happy indeed.

Franklin Art Association

At this past summer’s Cultural Festival, Jane Alfieri and Heather Greenwood created two very large murals, hand painting Franklin’s historical sites and other iconic scenes on the murals. Members of the public added color to the murals, filling in scenes, and adding their personal touches. It was a wonderful interactive event, carefully coordinated by Tina Guarino. In the spirit of gift giving, Tina has facilitated the gifting of these murals to the students at the Davis Thayer Elementary School as part of their “Core Values Program”. The students will add their own touches to the murals with help from some FAA members. The murals will then be hung permanently in the school, as an example of a collaborative effort between students, teachers, and the FAA. Thank you to all who shared their talents, and to Tina Guarino for making it happen! We should all feel good about this, as another example of the FAA giving back to the community. 

In this season of giving, these are two stories that make me very happy indeed! 

Warm regards, 

Sue Sheridan 

President

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You can read the full newsletter here




or with this link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczMjViTmN3NHZabGN0Z3Boa2t1eEdOVWllbnI0/view?usp=sharing

Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry's Social Media

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry's Social Media Underscoring the importance of communicating directly with the citizens of Norfolk County, Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today reminded consumers about the various social media applications made available to them through the Registry. O'Donnell noted, "Our mission here at the Registry of Deeds is to make important information readily available on a 24/7 basis to all consumers. After all, just because our doors close at the end of the business day doesn't mean the Registry has to stop working. Our website, www.norfolkdeeds.org, is a valuable resource to review scanned images of up to 5 million land documents dating back to 1793, as well as to learn about the latest consumer protection programs." For example, the register noted that residents can print out an application of the popular Homestead Act on the website, a law which provides a homeowner with limited protection against the forced sale of their primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000, or sign-up directly on-line for its Consumer Notification System that will alert a person anytime a land document has been recorded against their name in Norfolk County. Additionally, noted Register O'Donnell, "There is valuable county real estate information that can be researched and tracked on the website based on the monthly and quarterly real estate statistical reports done by the Registry of Deeds, such as the number of homes sold, average prices of property sold, mortgage discharges, homestead applications and much, much more." Other forms of social media utilized by the Registry of Deeds include Facebook, facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds, and Twitter, twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds. "Both Facebook and Twitter are great ways for residents and institutional users to be kept up-to-date on Registry events and initiatives. Among events publicized via these platforms are annual office hours held in each community in Norfolk County by the Registry, computer seminars held bi-annually, and events geared specifically to real estate professionals," said Register O'Donnell. The Registry has also filmed multiple public service announcements (PSA's) which are available on the Registry's website and Youtube. These PSA's have touched on a variety of issues such as deed scams - where a consumer pays an outrageous cost to a direct mail solicitor for a copy of their deed as compared to purchasing it at the Registry for a few dollars - and also a video on foreclosure assistance for residents who have received a Notice of Foreclose Mortgage from a lender. Videos highlighting the Registry's various philanthropic initiatives, such as its Annual Holiday Food Drive or its Suits for Success program, which helps people who are attempting to re-enter the workforce, can also be viewed. Concluding, Register O'Donnell stated, "My office continues to focus on ways the Internet and social media can provide services 24x7 to Registry customers. A key initiative underway is to make our website easier to access for users of tablets and smartphones. Our goal is to complete this initiative in the near term." 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. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.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

Forward email Norfolk County Registry of Deeds | 649 High Street | Dedham, | MA | 02026-1831

screen grab of Norfolk Deeds webpage