Franklin Library reopens May 2 at 25 Kenwood Circle

A reminder to all Franklin residents that the Public Library will be reopening in its temporary location at 25 Kenwood Circle this coming Monday May 2nd.

Please note the temporary location is in an industrial park with other businesses in the same building. We ask the residents to please make sure you are walking into the correct building. The town will install three signs to help guide everyone, but please be cognizant of where you are going.

The library hours will remain the same.

The phone will remain the same at 508-520-4940.

For more information about the Franklin Public Library Move and Renovation please click here

temporary location for the Franklin Library at 25 Kenwood Circle

until the sign gets placed on the building, look for the blue library book return containers

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds: Positive Trends for 1st Quarter 2016 Real Estate Activity

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Sees Positive Trends for 1st Quarter 2016 Real Estate Activity After a careful review of 1st quarter numbers, Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reports that there is generally overall good news when it comes to Norfolk County real estate activity with a few exceptions. "The 1st quarter of 2016 saw a robust market with total volume of commercial and residential real estate sales coming in at $1.48 billion, a solid 12% increase from the same time period in 2015. In addition, the number of real estate sales transactions increased a healthy 18% for the quarter. "However, average sale price of commercial and residential real estate fell 9% to $721,660. It is too early to know whether a market correction is underway relative to real estate sales price or this figure represents a onetime aberration," noted Register O'Donnell. "Regarding the mortgage market," stated O'Donnell, "the total number of mortgages recorded was 6,504, a 3% reduction from 1st quarter 2015. We will need to watch this number closely to see if a trend is occurring." The Register further stated, "with that said, total mortgage financing increased a whopping 39% to $4.0 billion. Some of this increase can be largely attributed to a commercial mortgage that was recorded in February." One area of concern was the continued increase in foreclosure activity. The Register noted, "the number of foreclosure deeds recorded for Norfolk County was 76, an increase of 4% from the same quarter last year. More disconcerting was the increase in the number of Notice to Foreclose Mortgage filings, the first step in the foreclosure process. A total of 214 Notice to Foreclose Mortgage filings took place during the 1st quarter compared to 136 during the same timeframe in 2015. "I agree with the prevailing feeling that the increased foreclosure filings are attributable to lending institutions working through past delinquent mortgage loans, some going back to the 2008 economic downturn. While we sometimes get caught up in looking at these numbers as statistics, it should be noted that foreclosures have a very human face." To help those facing a foreclosure, the Registry continues to partner with Quincy Community Action Programs at (617) 479-8181 ext-376 and Neighbor Works Southern Mass at (508) 598-0950 for those who have received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lender. Another option for homeowners is to call the Massachusetts Attorney General's HomeCorps program at (617) 573-5333. On the consumer front, the number of Homesteads recorded increased 15% year over year. "A Homestead provides limited protection against the forced sale of a homeowner's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. I urge Norfolk County homeowner's to consider this important consumer protection tool," said Register O'Donnell. In conclusion, O'Donnell stated, "I am encouraged by the 1st quarter results of real estate activity in Norfolk County. I believe the favorable weather we experienced compared to the past winter spurred activity. It's pretty clear that Norfolk County remains an attractive location for individuals, families and businesses to live and work. As long as the eastern Massachusetts economy remains vibrant and real estate inventory does not take a significant dip, we should be able to maintain this market momentum. Overall, Norfolk County appears to be moving towards a robust spring real estate season." 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

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try it free today

FY 2017-2018 School Calendar options for consideration

The Calendar Subcommittee has two options for consideration for the 2017-2018 school year. These options are scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 26.

• Both start before Labor Day
• Neither provide the Wednesday before Thanksgiving
• One has both Feb and Apr vacation weeks (Option 1)
• One has a 'long' weekend in Feb and the April week (Option 2)

Option 1

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzI40-pPFDXhYTZkd1pOVlBRZ0U/view?usp=sharing

Option 2

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzI40-pPFDXhQjV5Qm05MWhzbjA/view?usp=sharing

Parmenter School at sunrise

For more about the School Committee visit their page on the Town of Franklin website
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/index

In the News: Mac City showcases its offering, Spectra pipeline activity picking up

"As Paul Sullivan serves up a golden, gooey helping of his gourmet mac and cheese, he cannot stress enough the freshness of his recipe. When tasters wrap the four-cheese blend of white and sharp cheddar, Swiss and Monterrey jack around their forks, they tell him they couldn't agree more. 

Sullivan's new restaurant, Mac City, was one of 20 local eateries represented at this year's Taste of Holliston, a food-tasting event for local restaurants to show off their finest menu items and meet residents who will hopefully go on to become loyal customers. 

After opening Mac City in Franklin earlier this month, taking over the former Mac Deli space and completely revamping the menu, this is Sullivan's first Taste of Holliston. With his classic mac and cheese recipe and a chicken-broccoli mix, he gained a lot of new fans around town. 

"It's important to be seen and to get your name out there," he said. "We're not your average sub and pizza place and we pride ourselves on being as fresh as possible."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160424/taste-of-holliston-event-introduces-new-restaurants

Mac City, on West Central St in downtown Franklin

"The proposed Kinder Morgan natural gas pipeline along the state’s northern border died as an idea last week, but the Spectra pipeline slated to run through the Milford area shows no signs of succumbing to the same fate. 

In fact, activity around Spectra’s Algonquin Gas pipeline is starting to pick up.
Town halls in all the communities affected (Medway, Bellingham, Franklin, Millis, Milford and Upton) were slapped with legal notices late last week detailing some upcoming hearings. The public hearings, held by the Massachusetts Energy Facility Siting Board, provide an opportunity for concerned residents, property abutters and local officials to make a case for or against the pipeline. The hearings are one piece in a complex puzzle of hearings and document filings that Spectra must go through to get state and federal approval."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160424/milford-as-kinder-morgan-pipeline-proposal-falls-spectra-picks-up

lawn sign in Franklin 

Blood drive - Apr 30 - Charter School

"Please join us for a very special blood drive on Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, 201 Main Street, Franklin.

In memory of his father, Mike Pepin, Boy Scout Matt Pepin has chosen, as his Eagle Project, to honor his dad's memory by helping patients at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital by hosting a blood drive.

For your comfort and convenience, Matt has arranged coffee and donuts to be served during morning hours and pizza for lunch.

Thank you for helping to make "Mike's Drive" a success."

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School

Follow the link to check out the blood donation guidelines and to sign up. There are only a few spots left   https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30e0d48a8aa2fa7f85-mikes

Resolution Calling for Full Funding of the Foundation Budget Review Commission’s Recommendations

School Committee to consider endorsing this resolution on the funding of Chapter 70.



The calculation is probably due to being re-done. In doing so, one needs to be mindful that while Franklin has benefited from the calculation based upon population growth, now that there is no significant growth we need to be careful to not lose what we do have. Franklin can not afford to replace any significant percent of the approx. $27 million it gets yearly.

All the information you might want on Chapter 70 can be found here
http://www.doe.mass.edu/finance/chapter70/

ma.gov

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Apr 27, 2016

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– April 6, 2016

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast
channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may also be recorded by others.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS –

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
– 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.

E. APPOINTMENTS
- Chief of Police

F. HEARINGS
- Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-753: Zoning Map Changes From Single Family Residential IV to General Residential V in an Area on or Near West Central Street - Public Hearing – 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- Franklin Elks Lodge #2136 – Change of Manager

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- Facilities Department

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 16-27: To Authorize the Issuance of Refunding Bonds – 2/3 Vote
2. Resolution 16-28: Appropriation Downtown Improvements Project – simple majority
3. Resolution 16-29: Acceptance of Gift to Franklin Public Library- simple majority
4. Resolution 16-30: Appropriation DPW Equipment – Skid Steer – simple majority
5. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-753: Zoning Map Changes From Single Family Residential IV to General Residential V in an Area on or Near West Central Street - 1st Reading (Motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-753 to a 2nd Reading – simple majority)
6. Bylaw Amendment 16-754: Chapter 47, Alcoholic Beverages – 2nd Reading (Motion to approve Bylaw Amendment 16-754 – majority vote of full Council (5) - Roll Call)
7. Bylaw Amendment 16-757:To Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin by adding a New Chapter to Require that Property Owners Provide Notification to Public Safety Officials of the Existence of Certain Structures and/or Uses – 2nd Reading (Motion to approve Bylaw Amendment 16-757 – majority vote full Council (5) - Roll Call)

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION - To discuss strategy with respect to litigation relative to the Plain Street Tax Title Land

P. ADJOURN


The associated documents released for this agenda can be viewed in the embedded document

the chains around the monuments were coming loose so are being repaired