Register O'Donnell Sees Mixed Signals with Norfolk County Real Estate in October

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Sees Mixed Signals with Norfolk County Real Estate in October Mixed signals were the theme for Norfolk County real estate activity in the month of October 2016. Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reported, "The data collected shows seemingly contradictory figures when it comes to both real estate sales and lending activity. While sales showed a slight year-over-year decrease of 4%, the average sale price of residential and commercial property during October was $756,035 a 27% increase. Additionally, total sales volume, again for both residential and commercial property, was $688 million; it marked a 14% increase compared to October 2015." Mortgage activity also showed some mixed signals. O'Donnell stated, "The number of mortgages recorded during the month of October was 3,120, a 23% increase compared to the previous year. However, total mortgage financing for the month was $2 billion, compared to $3.4 billion the previous year. The drop-off is largely attributable to a $811 million property financed in Quincy and Braintree in October 2015." The same mixed signals were also seen in foreclosure activity. The bad news was the increase in the number of foreclosure deeds recorded. A total of 34 foreclosure deeds were recorded in October compared to 14 recorded during the same time in 2015. The good news was a reduction in the number of Notice to Foreclose Mortgage recordings, the first step in the foreclosure process. Seventy-seven Notice to Foreclose Mortgages were filed in October compared to 101 filed in October 2015. "While I am guardedly optimistic the worst of the foreclosure activity is behind us," noted O'Donnell, "these numbers do tell us that some of our neighbors continue to face economic hardship. My office is committed to partnering with Quincy Community Action Programs at (508) 598-0950 to ensure homeowners who have received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lender are getting the help they need. Another option is to call the Massachusetts Attorney General's HomeCorps program at (617) 573-5333." The number of Homesteads recorded, an important consumer tool available to homeowners, was essentially flat. A total of 1,010 Homesteads were filed last month, compared to 1,016 during the previous October. O'Donnell noted, "A Homestead provides limited protection against the forced of an individual's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000." Register O'Donnell concluded, "The real estate sales activity experienced in Norfolk County during the month of October clearly shows a tremendous amount of competition for a limited number of properties available. Keys for a healthy real estate market going forward will be the level of available inventory and whether there will be a potential rate increase by the Federal Reserve. My office will be monitoring these issues very closely." 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, 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

Norfolk Registry of Deeds (Facebook photo)

Town Council recap: zoning bylaws and fee schedule changes

To recap the Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Nov 16 I have the following:

• The Cub Scout pack 17 lead the Pledge of Allegiance
• Two were appointed to the Cultural Council (Barbara Gardner and Rob Coutillo)
• The next Economic Development Committee meeting is scheduled for Nov 30 at 5:30. The key item on the agenda will be the proposed plastic bag bylaw.
• Three citizens spoke against the proposed re-zoning of the area along Washington St that would allow Hillside Nursery to create a 'Country Store". Without any acknowledgement of these comments and concerns, the Council voted to approve the set of 6 bylaws by unanimous votes. In the Council comments, those who did mention this item spoke of adding more to the current bylaw to enable further expansion of the retail opportunity. 
• There was a map rezoning proposal for a section along Summer St that was referred to the Planning Board. Bissanti recused himself from this discussion and vote. The change would allow approx 40 units to be built instead of 7 or 8.
• Up for a first reading is the revision and simplification of the Town fee bylaw. Over 100 fees were removed from the schedule in the first major cleanup in 20 years. The bylaw will come back for a second reading at a future meeting.

Cub Scout pack 17 get applause after leading the Pledge of Allegiance

The full text of the fee bylaw can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/we-tried-to-make-sure-they-reflected.html

• Live reporting: Closing
• Live reporting: Washington St re-zoning and other ...
• Live Reporting: Town Council - November 16, 2016
• 
  

School Committee recap: Best Buddies grants, MCAS/PARCC results, and dress code revision

Among the many things that occurred during the almost 90 minute School Committee meeting there were three key takeaways:

1. The School Committee heard the Friends of the Best Buddies give away almost $15,000 to the schools with best buddies programs. 
2. The recent MCAS and PARCC results were given a highlight and discussion. 
3. The proposed dress code revision was moved to a second reading where it can be approved and become official.

The notes taken live during the meeting were updated with the complete listing of the Best Buddies grants and those details can be found in the links here:

• Live reporting: Closing
• Live reporting: Action Items
• Live reporting: Dress code and student restraint
• District Curriculum Accommodation Plan - DCAP
• Live reporting: MCAS and PARCC Results - Spring 20...
• Live reporting: Best Buddies
• Live reporting: School Committee - November 15, 20...

•    The full agenda document for the School Committee meeting can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-nov.html

Parmenter School sign announcing no school coming up Weds through Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday

FHS Skidmore, Kuzio named to Hockomock League Volleyball All Stars

HockomockSports.com has published the official 2016 Hockomock League Volleyball All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league. The FHS student athletes recognized for this honor are listed below:

FHS Panthers

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP
Sydney Phillips, King Philip

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS

• Erin Skidmore, Franklin
• Madison Kuzio, Franklin

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• Meaghan Maguire, Franklin

For the complete listing of Hockomock Volleyball All Stars
https://hockomocksports.com/2016-hockomock-league-volleyball-stars/

Pat Patriot Surprises Franklin Recreation at Flag Football Finale

Youth flag football players in Franklin were greeted by a special guest on Tuesday, Nov. 8, as they took the field for the final time this season during Franklin Recreation’s annual Flag Football Finale.

New England Patriots mascot, Pat Patriot

New England Patriots mascot, Pat Patriot, surprised the youth players, ranging in age from 6-14 years old, on the field at Beaver Pond Recreation Area. Pat supported the youth flag football teams as they played their final games of the year and joined in on the action – playing catch with the players and posing for photos with the teams.

Pat Patriot posing for photos

“It was great to see the smiles on the children’s faces when they saw Pat Patriot walk through the gate and onto the field,” said Ryan Jette, director of Franklin Recreation. “He was full of energy and very engaging with all of our players. He even threw passes and ran plays with the teams. I especially enjoyed when he sat in the equipment cart and let the kids wheel him around the field. A huge thank you to the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group for their support. Pat was a wonderful addition to this year’s NFL Flag Football Finale.”

The Franklin NFL Flag Football program was established by Franklin Recreation in 1999 and has grown from 24 children in its first year to 498 children registered in 2016. The league includes six 6-year-old teams, six 7-year-old teams, ten 8 and 9-year-old teams, twelve 10 and 11-year-old teams and six 12 to 14-year-old teams. The 14-week season wrapped up on Nov. 8.

To find out more about programs that the Recreation Department offers, visit their webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department

Franklin Recreation - 275 Beaver St

Give the gift of Music - Small Business Saturday - Encore Music Academy

Give the gift of Music - Small Business Saturday - Encore Music Academy

FHS Clermont, Hartnett finish in top 25 at D! State Girls Cross Country meet

Nicole Clermont finished 4th in the D1 girls state cross county meet held in Gardner on Saturday. Kate Harnett finished 23rd. 

First Time Out - Contractor License                         HY-TEK's Meet Manager
                 MIAA All State Cross Country Meet - 11/19/2016                  
                         Gardner Municipal Golf Course                           
                              Last Completed Event                               

Event 1  Girls 5k Run CC Division 1
==================================================================================
   Name                    Year School                  Avg 1K     Finals  Points
==================================================================================
 1 #248 Grace Connolly       10 Natick                    3:42      18:27        
 2  #74 Margot Ehrenthrol    12 Concord-Carlisle          3:53      19:25    1   
 3  #27 Sophia Jacobs-Towns  10 Amherst-Pelham            3:54      19:30    2   
 4 #114 Nicole Clermont      11 Franklin        3:56      19:36        
 5 #415 Jamie Falla          11 Wachusett                 3:56      19:39    3   
 6 #363 Jillian Callahan     10 Plymouth South            3:56      19:39        
 7 #200 Olivia Sheffield     11 Lowell                    3:58      19:47    4   
 8 #183 Grace Leightheiser   12 Lexington                 3:58      19:48    5   
 9 #279 Caroline Barry       11 Newton South              4:00      19:56    6   
10  #37 Sarah Cavanaugh      12 Auburn                    4:00      19:57        
11 #414 Bailie Falla         09 Wachusett                 4:00      19:57    7   
12 #282 Katherine Collins    12 Newton South              4:00      19:58    8   
13 #371 Gabrielle Lawrence   11 Shepherd Hill             4:01      20:02        
14 #188 Sophie DeFreitas     10 Lincoln-Sudbury           4:01      20:04        
15 #355 Sam Curtin           12 Plymouth North            4:02      20:07    9   
16  #77 Eline Laurent        11 Concord-Carlisle          4:02      20:08   10   
17 #129 Emily Willson        11 Groton-Dunstable          4:03      20:11   11   
18 #271 Einat Gavish         11 Newton North              4:03      20:14   12   
19 #276 Helena Teixeira Das  09 Newton North              4:03      20:15   13   
20 #445 Loren Andrews        11 Wellesley                 4:04      20:19   14   
21 #187 Alexandra Wolf       12 Lexington                 4:04      20:20   15   
22 #331 Jessica Ostrowski    12 Peabody                   4:05      20:21   16   
23 #115 Kate Hartnett        11 Franklin        4:05      20:23        
24 #186 Pauline Steines      09 Lexington                 4:05      20:25   17   
25 #472 Ali Hurley           11 Woburn                    4:06      20:27   18   

The full D1 girls cross country results

http://www.coolrunning.com/results/16/ma/Nov19_MIAASt_set1.shtml

The full D1 boys cross country results

http://www.coolrunning.com/results/16/ma/Nov19_MIAASt_4_set1.shtml

FHS Panthers