Registry of Deeds Consumer Program Reaches 500th Milestone

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Registry of Deeds Consumer Program Reaches 500th Milestone Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today announced the 500th sign-up of a free on-line Consumer Notification Service designed to protect Norfolk County property owners against fraud. "We are delighted that in less than 2 years people continue to enroll in the program. Our goal is to get every property owner in the county to sign-up for it," noted O'Donnell. The Register has cited recent F.B.I. statistics that property and mortgage fraud is one of the fastest growing white collar crimes in the United States. "Multiple jurisdictions across the country have reported individuals recording fraudulent documents and making it appear like they own another person's home or property. While we have been fortunate that this problem has not revealed itself here in Norfolk County, I want to make sure my office is proactively and vigorously protecting consumers," noted Register O'Donnell. Any owner of real property in the twenty-eight communities comprising Norfolk County can sign-up for the Consumer Notification Service free of charge by doing the following simple steps: Go to the Registry's website, www.norfolkdeeds.org, and click on the Consumer Notification Service Get Consumer Alerts button to complete the initial registration. From there, follow the remaining sign-up instructions, it only takes a minute or two to complete. Once you have signed up for the service, each subscriber will be able to input two names, individual or business, as well as the corresponding city or town in Norfolk County for monitoring. They can check their property for such activities as changes in deeds, mortgages, non-mortgage liens, Homesteads or other land document transactions that might be recorded against their name. If a document is recorded against one of the names inputted for monitoring, the subscriber will be alerted via email, usually within 24 hours. The person can also check the Registry's on-line land research records at www.norfolkresearch.org as an option. If a subscriber believes a fraudulent land record has been recorded against their property, they should immediately contact the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101. The subscriber will also be given a list of public safety referrals by the Registry. Register O'Donnell concluded, "As your Norfolk County Register of Deeds, I take very seriously the Registry's responsibility to provide secure, accurate and accessible land records for all Norfolk County communities. I also want to be proactive in ensuring that there is no fraudulent activity related to land document recordings. By offering the Consumer Notification Service, the Registry is able to provide a level of protection to the program's subscribers against unscrupulous individuals who would attempt to commit real estate fraud. I urge people to sign-up for the free program." To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter and Instagram @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 Deeds - Consumer Alert Service

"the Cultural District Steering Committee - has been very active"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A Thursday meeting will gather feedback on seeking a "cultural district" designation for downtown, and consider the implications should that designation be granted. 

Town Planner Bryan Taberner said the meeting - set to run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Franklin Municipal Building - will consider the structural issues around such a label, which would make the area eligible for assistance with cultural events. 

"For the past couple of years, a group of people have been working at creating a state-designated cultural district in the downtown," he said. "What we plan to do at the meeting is to get everybody on the same page about the plans."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170115/cultural-district-considered-in-franklin


More about the Cultural District planning meeting was posted here previously
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/important-cultural-district-planning.html

"the Cultural District Steering Committee - has been very active"

Note: I am volunteering my time and effort as part of the Cultural District Steering Committee to make this happen for Franklin.


To find out more about the Cultural District visit the webpage
http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/

"if America is to be a great nation (Yes), this must become true" (video)

Take a few minutes to listen to, or read, the "I have a dream" speech given by Martin Luther King in August of 1963.

"Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. (My Lord, No, no, no, no) [applause] We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline."

The full text of the speech can be found here:
https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/i-have-dream

Valentine's Day deals for our friends .... ❤

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Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 18, 2017

Note the left column with the agenda item heading (E. Appointments for example) are hot links to the supporting individual documents

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES	December 7, 2016 Meeting Minutes  December 21, 2016 Meeting Minutes  January 4, 2017 Meeting Minutes
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS	Swearing in of Fire Fighters
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	Finance Committee - David Wiech
F. HEARINGS	(no scheduled for this agenda)
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS	99 Restaurant Change of Manager Transition - 7:10 PM
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS	Communications and Civic Engagement
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS	(provided during meeting)
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	1. Resolution 17-01: Acceptance of Gift to the Library (majority) 2. Resolution 17-02: Acceptance of Gift to the Council on Aging (majority) 3. Resolution 17-02: Appropriation, Administration: GASB 4575 Actuary Study (majority) 4. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 16-775: Zoning Map Changes fro Rural Residential I to Residential VII an Area on Summer Street - 2nd Reading (2/3 majority Roll Call Vote)
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT	(provided during meeting)
L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS	(provided during meeting)
M. COUNCIL COMMENTS	(provided during meeting)
N. EXECUTIVE SESSION	(if required)
O. ADJOURN

The full 92 page PDF with the agenda and supporting documents is also found on the Town of Franklin webpage

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/01-18-2017_agenda.pdf

sunrise at DelCarte 

Part 2: Residential VII Proposal for Summer St

This is Part 2 of a series to collect the development of the Residential VII Zoning history in one place. The Residential VII zoning bylaw was discussed, written, and approved in 2013 and then applied to Cook's Farm in 2014. The Council meeting Wednesday is to decide if this zoning bylaw should be applied to the Summer St parcel. Additional items in this series will include information around the parties to the development, the timeline, and the written and recorded meetings.

If the zoning change were accepted, the developer would still be required to come forward with the formal proposal for the land and homes to be built. The Planning Board would hold their public hearings before issuing the permits required. Other sections of the Town government (Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, etc.) would get involved depending upon the nature of the proposal. 

Based upon what happened with the Cook's Farm situation, once the Town Council approved the zoning change, they were no longer involved in the project. The Town Council is a legislative body, they enact the bylaws, the other boards, and commissions and town departments are responsible for ensuring the the process and regulations are adhered to. 

Part 1
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/part-1-residential-vii-area-on-summer.html


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

SPONSOR: Hunchard

TOWN OF FRANKLIN

ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT 16-775

ZONING MAP CHANGES FROM RURAL RESIDENTIAL I TO

RESIDENTIAL VII AN AREA ON SUMMER STREET

A ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TO THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF

FRANKLIN AT CHAPTER 185 SECTION 5, ZONING MAP

BE IT ENACTED BY THE FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL THAT:

The Code of the Town of Franklin is hereby amended by making the following
amendment to §185-5, Zoning Map:

By changing from Rural Residential I to Residential VII an area containing 10.810± acres, comprising of the following parcel of land as shown on the Town of Franklin's Assessor's Maps: Parcel Number 302-008-000.

The area to be rezoned is shown on the attached zoning map (“Zoning Map - Rural Residential I to Residential VII”). 

The foregoing Zoning By-law amendment shall take effect in accordance with the Franklin Home Rule Charter and Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A, Section 5.

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

The following 44 page PDF document contains the bylaw map adjustment request and associated documents:

• proposed zoning map change for the one parcel on Summer St
• Letter from Jeff Nutting to Town Council acknowledging receipt of request for zoning change and including the details on the housing developments in the pipeline (Sep 6 letter also shared separately)
• section of Franklin code highlighting the change requested
• a map of the zoning districts currently approved for Franklin
• a map of the sewer and water connections in the area of Summer St parcel
• letter from Attorney Cornetta on behalf of the Hunchard's including the owner petition for the zoning change.
• the last 20 pages are architectural renderings of the proposed development

screen grab of one of the proposed housing views

This 44 page PDF document can also be found on the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/bylaw_16-775_summer_st_referral_to_pb_0.pdf

Jeff Nutting's Letter to the Town Council - Housing Growth Summary

This was shared via Franklin Matters in October, 2016
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/10/jeff-nuttings-letter-to-town-council.html

It is also part of the agenda for the Town Council Meeting Jan 18, 2017.


"Lately, I have been approached by landowners/developers (L/D) seeking my opinion on whether the Town will provide a zoning change so they can develop their land into Condos, Apartments and Zone 7 (which allows 4 times the density of Rural Residential zoning). All the requests require a zoning change for the L/D. While a project may offer some benefit, it is the Town Council that needs to decide on zoning and the pace of development you want for Franklin.

The Town Council adopted an updated Master Plan in 2013 as a road map to continued improvements for the citizens of Franklin. The plan covered a wide range of topics many which the Council have embraced to date, most notably zoning changes, sidewalk construction, as well as open space /recreation issues.

Currently, the economy seems to be in good shape and the demand for housing in Franklin is higher than it has been in a long time. You will recall the tremendous growth of the 1990's and the various steps Town Council took to reign in the growth. They rezoned residential land to industrial land, adopted over-55 housing, bought open space when available, adopt the water and sewer extension bylaws, a growth control bylaw, the so-called circle bylaw, etc.  Further, the Council voted for an impact fee on new homes that was rejected by the Court. All the efforts to control development happened after the spike in housing production of the mid- 1990's and the fast growth created problems that we are still dealing with today. Housing starts continued in the early 2000's at a slower pace and then the recession of 2008 reduced development further.

In review, dwelling units created in the last five years by the Building Commissioner reports the following dwelling units:

• 2011 - 20 units
• 2012 - 57 units
• 2013 - 48 units
• 2014 - 47 units
• 2015 - 38 units

This does not count the two developments on King Street and East Central Street with a total of over 250 units for elderly citizens.

Since 2012, we are averaging about 48 units a year. This seems to be a reasonable and steady growth. Franklin is now at a crossroad again concerning proposed dwelling units. Currently, there are over 800 units in various stages of development.

Under Construction (Various Stages)

• Weston Woods - 40B Apartments - 280
• Lorraine Metcalf – Subdivision - 4
• Cooks Farm - Condos  - 55
• Lincoln Street - Subdivision - 9
• County Side Estates - Subdivision - 8
• Franklin Heights - Condos - 7
• Winter Gardens- Subdivision - 5

Approved

• Uncas Ave - Subdivision - 18
• Upper Union Street - Subdivision - 7
• East Central Street - Apts. - 7
• Chestnut Street - Over 55 - 10

Before Planning Board

• Maple Street - Subdivision 10

In the Works

• Madeline Village -  40B  =  30-40 Decision by ZBA by end of year  
• Pond Street  - Condos  =  96 Expects to file prior to end of year
• At the end of Dean Ave - Apartments = 250 - Expects to file prior to the end of year
• West Central Street - Condos =  30 ?? Recently rezoned 
• Others units that are currently approved = 20 +/-  or under construction

Total possible Dwelling Units 800 +/-

While not all of these units will be constructed at once, we could see well over 600 units in the next 3 years. Further, we do not know how many other "as of right" dwelling units may be proposed in the next couple of years.

The housing development speaks well to Franklin's quality of life and all the improvements that have happen over the last 15 years under the leadership of the various Town Councils that make Franklin a desirable community to live.

Does the Town Council want to maintain the zoning plan adopted in the Master Plan or make changes to the plan? Providing a clear message to L/D's makes a lot more sense than dealing with zoning on a case-by-case basis. It is hard to say yes to one person and no to the next if you do not have an overall game plan.

I suggest this topic be put on a Council agenda or workshop in the near future. I am happy to answer any questions."

Jeff Nutting

new Cook's Farm being built under the Residential 7 bylaw on RT 140

• Additional info is contained in the full PDF

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Council/October%2019,%202016/R7%20HANDOUTS%201%20AND%202.pdf

• The agenda item for the Jan 18, 2017 meeting

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/bylaw_16-775_summer_st_referral_to_pb_0.pdf

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