“It was supposed to be temporary, but it became permanent”

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

"After eight years of a 6.25 percent sales tax, some retailers are calling for a change. 

The Retailers Association of Massachusetts is looking to put a lower tax rate on the ballot, placing the rate in the hands of voters in the November 2018 election. 

Bill Rennie, the association’s vice-president, said retailers had been concerned about the government’s failure to pass a sales tax holiday. Beyond that, he said, the state’s store-owners must compete with tax-free New Hampshire and untaxed Internet sales. 

“The Internet is never going away, and we’re not under the impression that it will,” he said. “What smart tax policy can do is make sure we’re operating on a level playing field.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170806/voters-could-decide-on-lower-tax-rates

https://www.simonfurniture.com/

Register O'Donnell Announces July '17 Norfolk County Real Estate Activity Report

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Announces July '17 Norfolk County Real Estate Activity Report Continuing low real estate inventory, higher interest rates and reduced mortgage lending were three major factors which led to a flat real estate market for the month of July, according to Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell. Register O'Donnell stated, "Empirical evidence shows there is little doubt that certain housing and lending dynamics are having a sluggish effect on real estate activity in Norfolk County." He noted that for the month of July a total of 1,757 properties, both residential and commercial, were sold in Norfolk County representing a minimal 1% increase from the previous year. Other economic indicators were even less impressive for July, such as the 3% drop in the average sales price for the same time period in 2016 and a 3% year over year reduction in total sales volume. Furthermore, lending activity also showed decreases for the month of July. A total of 2,407 mortgages were recorded during the month, a 14% decrease compared to July 2016. "Higher interest rates," noted O'Donnell, "and the prospect of rate increases through the end of the 2017 calendar year are making consumers think twice before borrowing money to pay for high ticket expenses such as home improvements." An aberration seen during the month was the total amount of residential and commercial borrowing increased by 267% to $4.6 billion. However, this is mainly explained by a large $1.6 billion mortgage taken out against a commercial property bordering Weymouth and Quincy. Foreclosure activity was a mixed bag. A total of 18 foreclosure deeds were recorded in July compared to 17 in July 2016. Where the foreclosure story gets more promising was the total number of Notice to Foreclose Mortgage filings, the first step in the foreclosure process, closing at 34, a sharp reduction from the 43 recordings for the same time last year. "While one foreclosure recording is one too many, the reduced number of Notice to Foreclose Mortgage filings is a positive trend," stated the Register. For those who are facing challenges paying their mortgage, the Registry continues to partner with Quincy Community Action Programs at (617) 479-8181 x-376 and Neighbor Works Southern Mass at (508) 598-0950 to help anyone who has received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lender. Another option is to call the Massachusetts Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400. On the consumer front, the number of Homesteads recorded in Norfolk County was 1,230 for the month of July, a 2% reduction from the same time period in 2016. While the reduced number of Homesteads can be explained in part by the sluggish real estate sales seen in the County, Register O'Donnell noted, "A Homestead is an important consumer protection tool that I urge property owners to consider. By recording a Homestead, a property owner receives limited protection against the forced sale of their primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000." Register O'Donnell concluded, "July 2017 was admittedly an unremarkable month for real estate in Norfolk County. The trend lines - flat real estate sales and reduced lending activity - are the same trend lines seen beyond the county. Until we see increased levels of real estate inventory, particularly for first time home buyers, the market will remain flat. In regards to lending activity, all signs indicate the Fed will increase interest rates causing consumers to pause further before borrowing money." 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, 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 at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@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

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Aug 9, 2017

The published agenda and documents released for the only Town Council scheduled for August can be found here. The Council meets once in July and August and resumes the twice a month schedule in September.

A. Approval of Minutes	A. Approval of Minutes June 28 July 2
B. Announcements
C. Proclamations/Recognitions	C. Proclamations/Recognitions 1. Swearing in of Police Officer - Leeanne Baker 2. Recognition of Gary Premo
D. Citizen Comments	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 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 theTown Administrator to review the matter.
E. Appointments	E. Appointments 1. Design Review Commission
F. Hearings	F. Hearings
G. License Transactions	G. License Transactions - 1. New Farmer-Winery Pouring License - La Cantina Winery - 7:10 PM
H. Presentations/Discussions	H. Presentations/Discussions - School Superintendent - Dr Sara Ahern
I. Subcommittee Reports	I. Subcommittee Reports
J. Legislation for Action	J. Legislation for Action 1. Resolution 17-50: Acceptance of Gift - Town of Franklin Police Dept. (Motion to Move Resolution 17-50 - majority vote (5)) 2. Resolution 17-51: Town Clerk Prior Year Bills (Motion to Move Resolution 17-51 - 2/3 majority vote (6)) 3. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 17-795: Zoning Map Changes from Business and Commercial II to Single Family Residential IV and Commercial I, in an Area on or Near Union, Cottage and Saxon Streets - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Bylaw Amendment 17-795 to the Planning Board - majority vote (5))
K. Town Administrator's Report	K. Town Administrator's Report
L. Future Agenda Items	L. Future Agenda Items
M. Council Comments	M. Council Comments
N. Executive Session - Non-scheduled	N. Executive Session - Non-scheduled
O. Adjourn	O. Adjourn

You can also view the documents released for this agenda in one PDF file on the Town of Franklin webpage

http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/august_9_2017.pdf

turf fields are being replaced with new surface and a different infill both at the High School and Beaver St

"first responders are unknowingly succumbing to an overdose from airborne opioid"

How dangerous are the drugs that are prevalent in the opioid epidemic? 

This Facebook posting from the SAFE Coalition highlights a recent news article where first responders needed to be treated after they arrived to deal with three overdose victims.




For more about the SAFE Coalition and what they are doing to help the substance abuse problem we have visit their webpage  http://safecoalitionma.com/

http://safecoalitionma.com/

Proposed change to the MA Open Meeting Law

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

"The comment period on proposed changes to the state’s Open Meeting Law closed Thursday at 5 p.m., after a public hearing that afternoon hosted by the Division of Open Government. 

In late July, Attorney General Maura Healey proposed a handful of changes to the law that dictates how public boards of committees should behave. Here’s a breakdown of some of the changes, should they remain as currently proposed. 

- If a board chooses to post meeting notices to the town’s website, and the websites crashes, the board has four hours to fix the problem during business hours. If that doesn’t happen, the meeting must be canceled and the notice re-posted for a new date."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170806/changes-to-open-meeting-law-proposed


Additional information on the proposed changes and request for comments can be found here
http://www.mass.gov/ago/government-resources/open-meeting-law/request-for-comment-open-meeting-law-amendments.html

Explanation of Proposed Changes
http://www.mass.gov/ago/docs/government/oml/proposed-regulations-statement-v2.pdf

Proposed regulations (Clean version)
http://www.mass.gov/ago/docs/government/oml/dog-regs-2017-review-v2-clean.pdf

Franklin Municipal Building site of most of the Board and Committee meetings

Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) Announce Revised 2017-18 Grant Award Program

A recent Facebook post by the Franklin Education Foundation announces that the grant applications are due Oct 27, 2017. While this targeted to the school district teachers and staff, there is also a reminder that you can help contribute to the FEF via one of their fund raising events or directly online.

"The Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) is pleased to announce the revised 2017-18 grant award program. 

This is an exciting opportunity for faculty, administration and staff to obtain funds that will support stimulating and innovative projects. 

Founded in 1997, FEF consists of a diverse group of individuals from many segments of the Franklin community. Members include community leaders, local organizations, educational institutions, business and industry, and families.
Each member of FEF supports the Foundation’s fundamental goal of providing a forum and means of achieving academic excellence for the school students of Franklin, MA.  

We made changes to the grant program for next year in response to our surveying Franklin Public Schools (FPS) teachers and administration. These changes will provide applicants more time to construct a innovative proposal and allow for a more rapid project funding/implementation schedule. Next year, grant proposals will be reviewed and funded within the school year. This is a change from previous years when proposals were submitted for projects to start the following school year."

You can donate directly via PayPal  http://www.franklined.org/donate

For additional information on the FEF and the grant process, visit their webpage
http://www.franklined.org/grants

Planning Board : Public Hearing Notice - Aug 21

In accordance with the Town of Franklin Zoning By-Laws, the Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, August 21, 2017 at 7:10 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street, for a Site Plan Modification application titled "Franklin Innovation Center, Site Plan Modification, Franklin, MA 02038" prepared by Guerriere & Halnon, Inc. and submitted to the Franklin Department of Planning and Community Development on July 25, 2017 by Moseley Realty, LLC, Franklin, MA 02038.

The site is located at 31 Hayward Street in the Industrial Zoning District (Assessors Map 278, Lots 024 and 24.1). The applicant is proposing to construct 22 additional parking spaces and modification to their existing storm water management system.

Please note: This will be your only written notice of this public hearing. Should the Planning Board vote to continue this Public Hearing, the date and time will be posted on the Planning Board's website under Agendas.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning and Community Development during regular office hours .

Please contact the Department of Planning and Community Development at (508) 520-4907 if you require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Anthony Padula, Chairman

Franklin Innovation Center, Site Plan Modification

This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/franklin_innovation_center_public_hearing_notice.pdf

or http://www.franklinma.gov/node/134853