Monday, January 8, 2018

Register of Deeds O'Donnell Named 2017 Register of the Year



Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register of Deeds O'Donnell Named 2017 Register of the Year

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell was recently named 2017 Register of the Year by the Massachusetts County Registers of Deeds Association.

Commenting on the honor, O'Donnell stated, "I am truly humbled to receive this award, and I accept it on behalf of all the employees who work here at the Registry. We understand our mission and our roles when it comes to public service."

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is the depository of more than 6 million land records, dating back to 1793. It annually handles and documents hundreds of thousands of real estate transactions, including deeds, mortgage discharges, homesteads, liens, etc.

In 2017, the Registry among its various accomplishments, reached 3 notable milestones:

* The completion of its "History Comes Alive Transcription Project," where land documents from the period of 1793-1900 transcribed by scriveners in the old cursive style of writing were converted into easy-to-read text documents. The project earned the praise of two-time Pulitzer Prize Historian David McCullough. Norfolk County was the first registry of deeds in New England to perform such a project.


* Another completed initiative was the indexing - for easier customer research - of all land records dating back to 1793 which is the year Norfolk County was founded.


* In April 2017 Norfolk County became the first registry of deeds in Massachusetts to record registered land (Land Court) documents electronically. This initiative came about from the passage of legislation spearheaded by Register O'Donnell and Plymouth County Register of Deeds John Buckley to modernize operations in the Land Court which was signed into law by Governor Baker last January.

"These 3 major projects amply demonstrate how blending history with modern technology makes resources more accessible to all of us when it comes to offering documents, programs and services," noted Register O'Donnell. The Register also noted that the Registry is quite proud of its extensive outreach programs, including its annual "office hours" visits to each one the county's 28 cities and towns."

"In conclusion," stated Register O'Donnell, "for 234 years, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has been serving the real estate needs of Norfolk County residents. At the Registry of Deeds we pride ourselves on striving to run a sound customer service orientated operation. We are grateful for the recognition."

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

Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact

Register of Deeds O'Donnell Named 2017 Register of the Year
Register of Deeds O'Donnell Named 2017 Register of the Year

"we’re not getting a management letter this year because everything is good"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"After 15 years with the town, comptroller Susan Gagner retired Friday. 
Gagner is being replaced by Chris Sandini. With 22 years of experience in municipal government, Sandini will have no problem fitting right in, Gagner said. 
On her last day working at the Franklin Municipal Building, Gagner, who grew up in Douglas and now lives in Sterling, Connecticut, spoke with the Daily News about her 32-year career."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180107/franklin-comptroller-retires-after-15-years

For more about the Comptroller's office  http://www.franklinma.gov/comptroller

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Jan 9, 2018

Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.


A G E N D A
“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”


1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
b. Citizen’s Comments
i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH
c. FHS Student Representative Comments
d. Superintendent’s Report

2. Guests / Presentations
a. Social Emotional Learning Presentation (DIP 1) – Peter Light, Deborah Dixson
b. FHS Program of Studies Update/ School Improvement Plan Update – Paul Peri,
Principal; William Klements, Deputy Principal

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. Policy – First Reading
I recommend moving Policy BDF – Advisory Committees to the School Committee to a second reading at the next meeting.
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/v1-9-2018%20SC%20Packet/Discussion%20Action%20-%20Policy%20BDF.pdf

4. Discussion Only Items
a. ACCEPT 
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/v1-9-2018%20SC%20Packet/ACCEPT%20Collaborative%20Annual_Report_FY17.pdf

and BICO Collaborative Annual Reports
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/v1-9-2018%20SC%20Packet/BICO%2012%2007%202017%20annual%20report.pdf

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Budget; Community Relations;
Policy; Transportation; Public Schools Advocacy; Ad Hoc Superintendent’s Evaluation)
b. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse Task Force; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; MASC)

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

7. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the November 28, 2017 and December
12, 2017 School Committee Meetings.
b. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $4,802.65 for FHS as detailed:
i. $832.65 from All-American Publishingii. $3,970.00 from Vicario Studios
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $800.00 from the Hockomock Area YMCA for in-house enrichment at Parmenter Elementary School.
d. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 125 Science eye goggles valued at $216.25 from the Keller PCC.
e. I recommend acceptance of the donation of an iPad with case and a communication App for a non-verbal child valued at $707.98 from Linda Bishop.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Lueders Environmental, Inc.
for Davis Thayer Elementary School.
g. I recommend acceptance of the donation of an area rug, valued at $409.47, from the Parmenter PCC for supplemental supplies.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,550.00 from Franklin Music Parents for in house enrichment for the Music Department.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 from Thomas A Wagner III for
a FHS Scholarship.
j. I recommend approval of the request of Brian Wildeman to declare the attached list of books as surplus from RMS.
k. I recommend approval of the request of Dr. Joyce Edwards to declare the attached list of books as surplus from Central Office.

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Ms. Douglas

10. Correspondence – Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

11. Adjournment


The School Committee agenda and associated documents as released for the meeting Jan 9
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/v1-9-2018%20SC%20Packet/

The Parmenter Elementary School over the Christmas holiday break
The Parmenter Elementary School over the Christmas holiday break

Annual Report 2017: Franklin Historical Commission

The Annual Report is compiled and published each year to be ready for voters to obtain at the November election. A PDF copy is also posted online and available for viewing our downloading. 

The following is a text representation of the printed pages 90-91 (actually 97-98 of 264)


"ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FRANKLIN HISTORICAL COMMISSION.

The Franklin Historical Commission is a volunteer committee appointed by the Town Administrator and ratified by the Town Council. We are dedicated to maintaining, staffing, and operating the Franklin Historical Museum, and to preserving the historical assets of the Town of Franklin. Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM at the museum and are open to the public.

We have up to 7 full-time Commission members with voting privileges along with non-voting associate members.

Members
Mary Olsson, Chair
Phyllis Malcolm,Treasurer
Bob Percy, Recording Secretary
Colette Ferguson
Connie Lawson
Richard Remillard
Jeremy Ball
Associate Members
Mary O'Neill 
Kai Olsson 
Alice Vendetti
Anyone interested in becoming an associate member of
the Historical Commission is encouraged to contact us.

FRANKLIN HISTORICAL MUSEUM
The Franklin Historical Museum has been in our present location for 7 years now. The museum occupies the old Town Hall Building at 80 West Central Street, just a half block before the fire station, and across the street from the new Horace Mann Square. We continue to work to engage the community and area residents so they rely on the museum and find it a place to explore and celebrate the Town's heritage, achievements, and unique place in history.

Mission Statement
The Franklin Historical Museum is a center for community engagement, committed to facilitating the exploration of Franklin through a local, regional, and national lens, to a multigenerational audience.

WE ARE OPEN:
Saturdays 10 AM to 1 PM;
Sundays 1 PM to 4 PM;
Thursdays 5 PM to 8 PM. During winter months (early December thru end of March) we are closed on Thursday evenings.

Museum Hosts
Commission members and volunteers keep the museum open by giving of their time to host at the Museum during our open hours. Our hosts answer questions and share their knowledge of Franklin’s history. To become a host volunteer, contact any member of the commission.


Events this past year:

Town of Franklin Birthday Party
On March 2nd we celebrated the founding of the town by inviting local town residents who share the same birthday with the town. Those birthday celebrants attending were entered into a drawing for a $100 ‘picture of Ben’. And, as with any birthday celebration, cake was served.

Horace Mann Day
Each year we recognize Franklin’s most famous son, Horace Mann, born May 4, 1796. Mann, known as the Father of Education, was a lawyer, statesman, abolitionist, and a great humanitarian. We are proud to celebrate his birthday each year and remember his noble accomplishments.

This year’s celebration was highlighted by the dedication of an oversized statue of Horace Mann across the street in the newly designated Horace Mann Square. Congratulations to all those who helped facilitate this great tribute to Franklin’s favorite son.

Hi-definition Photographs on display
A major addition to the Museum in 2017 was the iC4K Display Screen, invented and produced by Almont Green Studios of Medway. This display screen allows visitors to view and browse through large format digitized photographs of Franklin’s past.

Abraham Megerdichian - Metal Sculptures
Robert Megerdichian, son of former Franklin resident and metal sculptor Abraham Megerdichian loaned many of his father’s sculptures to the Museum and gave two memorable presentations on his father’s passion for producing detailed and finely crafted miniature cars, animals, musical instruments, and countless other miniature sculptures.

Wedding Dress Display and Speakers
Returning this year was another exquisite wedding dress display, the product of many volunteer hours. To complement the display were two separate event presentations on wedding dresses.

Franklin Downtown Partnership Events
The Commission enjoys being part in the annual events planned by the Downtown Partnership which include the Strawberry Stroll, October’s Harvest Festival, and the Holiday Stroll. The Holiday Stroll, in early December, is always a fun evening attended by Mrs. Claus reading to many wide eyed children.

Social Media
The Museum’s presence in social media is growing. In a typical week in February on our Facebook page there were 37 page views, 665 people reached, and 1,106 post engagements.

Wall Calendars
In 2017 we produced calendars of vintage Franklin photographs and key dates. Stop by and pick up your 2018 Franklin Calendar, available at the Museum Gift Shop for a nominal fee.

Area Historical Commissions and Societies Hosted at Franklin Museum
For a second year, the Franklin Historical Museum hosted area Historical Commissions for a meet and greet and informal discussion. It was well attended by the surrounding towns of Wrentham, Bellingham, Norfolk, Plainville, Millis, Foxborough, Medway, and Blackstone. We also enjoyed gathering at Plainville’s An Unlikely Story bookstore this year. It is always a pleasure to meet with our counterparts from neighboring towns.

School Participation
We encourage elementary, middle, and high school student visits to the museum to learn about Franklin throughout the course of the year. So many stories to tell! Learning about our town’s history is a wonderful gateway to history as a whole. Teachers are encouraged to contact us to make arrangements to bring their class in for a visit and hosted tour.

Demolition Requests
Under the demolition bylaw passed by the Town Council, the Historical Commission reviews any demolition request of a property built in 1930 or before. We make every attempt to encourage the preservation of any building of historical significance. We have the option to delay the demolition of a building for up to a year so that suitable alternatives can be considered. The following properties were approved for demolition:

  • 899 Upper Union St. 1850
  • 36 Plain St. 1810

This speaks to the ongoing issue of the disappearance of the Town’s historical assets.

Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum (FFHM)
The Friends, which is the fundraising arm of the museum, work to bring special events and programs to the museum. Donations to this organization are always welcome! Because the Friends is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, all donations are tax deductible.

We also encourage people to donate items that pertain to the town’s history (such as artifacts, photographs, and written records) at the Museum during our regular hours of operation. These donations to the Friends are also tax deductible.

Thanks goes to members of the community who have helped enrich and deepen our understanding of the town’s history, and we look forward to working on additional projects in the future. We are grateful for your support and look forward to another exciting year!

Respectfully submitted,
The Franklin Historical Commission"

Contact us:
Email: franklinmuseum1778@gmail.com
http://www.franklinma.gov/historical-commission
webpage: http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/


You can find the online copy at the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

and specifically for 2017
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-annual-report-2017-revised

Annual Report 2017: Franklin Historical Commission
Annual Report 2017: Franklin Historical Commission

FHS wrestling, girls basketball, and both boys and girls hockey teams post wins on Saturday

Via HockomockSports and Twitter we share the results of the FHS sports action on Saturday, Jan 6, 2018


Girls Basketball = Oliver Ames, 50 @ Franklin, 56 – Final
– Oliver Ames senior Kayla Raymond finished with 12 points, five rebounds and five blocks while junior All Scolnick added 11 points and collected three
steals for the Tigers.

Boys Hockey = Stoughton, 0 @ Franklin, 10 – Final

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 7 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final
– Regan Paterson led the way for the Panthers with a pair of goals and freshman Gabby Colace picked up the shutout in goal. Jillian McLaughlin, Maddie Hinckley, Jordan Dwyer, Katelyn Brown, and Victoria Quinn also scored goals for Franklin.

Wrestling = Natick Duals (Franklin)
– Franklin cruised through the Natick Duals tournament, winning all five of its matches, including the final round against the hosts. The Panthers beat Concord-Carlisle (73-6), Merrimack (62-12), Brookline (47-13), Hopkinton (72-9) and Natick (69-3) to earn the crown. Jake Carlucci, Kenny Sauer, Ian Bakalars, TJ Remillard, Brian Farrell, Seamus Cogavin, and Riley Downing all went undefeated on the day for Franklin.


For the other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-06-18/

Tyler Brogan wins the Fr/So mile with a 4:26 AND sets a new meet record!
Tyler Brogan wins the Fr/So mile with a 4:26 AND sets a new meet record!

The indoor track team took part in the Frosh/Soph meet on Saturday. The results for each event can be found online here



Via the Twitterverse




















Where would you find plate glass negatives of the Wright Brothers flight?

Answer: 303 glass-plate negatives documenting the earliest flights of Orville and Wilbur Wright can be found at the Library of Congress. 

For the historians and book lovers among us, this item caught my attention

"A new book from Library of Congress Historian John Y. Cole, “America’s Greatest Library: An Illustrated History of the Library of Congress,” tells the story of the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution and how it came to be the world’s largest library. 
Librarian of Congress Carla D. Hayden calls the Library “a place where you can touch history and imagine your future,” and the story of its creation and evolution comes alive in this rich chronology. The book is the first authoritative history of the Library published in nearly 20 years. 
“America’s Greatest Library,” which will be published Jan. 9 by D Giles Limited in association with the Library of Congress, highlights the personalities and events that created and sustained the institution over its 217-year history, starting at a time when Washington had no other libraries or cultural institutions. Packed with fascinating stories, compelling images and little-known nuggets of information, the narrative traces the growth of the collections with the development of the nation’s capital through a combination of concise milestones, brief essays and vivid photographs and illustrations."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-18-002/new-book-celebrates-the-history-of-the-library-of-congress/2018-01-05/

“America’s Greatest Library: An Illustrated History of the Library of Congress,”
“America’s Greatest Library: An Illustrated History of the Library of Congress,”

You're invited to Cultural Connections - Feb 1




You're invited to Cultural Connections - Feb 1

Join us!

Cultural Connections, a free arts and culture roundtable, will be held Feb. 1 at 7pm at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 W. Central Street, Franklin. Anyone interested in arts and culture, from any organization in any town, is invited to attend. 
The subject of this roundtable will be Community Partnerships, and our discussion will be led by Athena Pandolf and Kelly Artamonov. Athena is the Executive Director of the wonderfully vibrant Natick Center Cultural District, and Kelly is an integral part of the team at ArtWeek, a statewide arts festival sponsored by the Boch Center. 
Both of these amazing women have experience in creating strong partnerships between arts organizations, local businesses, and the community. They will present their thoughts on the subject, followed by an open discussion with you sharing stories of what has and hasn't worked for your organization, along with the opportunity to ask questions of others. 
A great opportunity to network! Please RSVP using the link below:
RSVP Now!
You're invited to Cultural Connections - Feb 1

Cultural Connections is a program of the Franklin Cultural Council.

You're invited to Cultural Connections - Feb 1


The next Cultural Connections roundtable will be held on May 9, 2018.



Copyright © 2018 Franklin Cultural Council, All rights reserved.
Received this from a friend? Subscribe to our email list.

Our mailing address is:
355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038
Questions? Contact FCC Chair Stacey David at franklinculturalcouncil02038 [at] gmail.com

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2 folks duos: Andy and Judy with Lori Diamond and Fred Abatelli - Jan 13

Who: 
Two folk music duos: Andy and Judy and Lori Diamond and Fred Abatelli

When: 
7:30 PM, Saturday, January 13

Where: 
Original Congregational Church, 1 East St., Wrentham, MA 02093

Description: Andy and Judy Daigle with their son Greg are the ones who did the Peter Paul and Mary Tribute last season. “beautiful voices, memorable music and charming stories.” 

Lori and Fred perform throughout the Northeast. “Heavenly, orchestral piano, divine guitar, inspiring, interwoven vocals."

For more information and tickets, go to http://www.musicatocc.org.


Andy and Judy with Lori Diamond and Fred Abatelli - Jan 13
Andy and Judy with Lori Diamond and Fred Abatelli - Jan 13

Note: Lori and Fred performed at the 2nd Franklin Cultural Festival in 2016

Concert promo:
http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/2016/07/lori-diamond-and-fred-abatelli-black.html

Concert sample:
http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/2016/10/lori-diamond-and-fred-abatelli-at-2016.html

Curbside Tree Pickup Scheduled for week of Jan 8 through Jan 13

Christmas Tree pick up is next week 1/8/18 -1/13/18 on your regular scheduled Trash and Recycling pick up day.

However due to the weather changed schedule trash and recycling next week will be delayed a day so if your regular scheduled pick up day is Monday your Trash, Recycling and Tree will be picked up on Tuesday and so on.

But Monday isn't a holiday? No but Monday will be the pick up day for those who were scheduled for last Friday. See the table below.

For more information please visit http://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste

Curbside Tree Pickup Scheduled for week of Jan 8 through Jan 13
Curbside Tree Pickup Scheduled for week of Jan 8 through Jan 13


Please see below for modified Trash and recycling pick up schedule


Collection








Date
Day

Service day
Service Date
1/1/2018
Monday

Holiday

1/2/2018
Tuesday

Monday
1/1/2018
1/3/2018
Wednesday

Tuesday
1/2/2018
1/4/2018
Thursday

Storm

1/5/2018
Friday

Wednesday
1/3/2018
1/6/2018
Saturday

Thursday
1/4/2018
1/7/2018
Sunday

None

1/8/2018
Monday

Friday
1/5/2018
1/9/2018
Tuesday

Monday
1/8/2017
1/10/2018
Wednesday

Tuesday
1/9/2017
1/11/2018
Thursday

Wednesday
1/10/2017
1/12/2018
Friday

Thursday
1/11/2017
1/13/2018
Saturday

Friday
1/12/2017

Curbside Tree Pickup Scheduled for week of Jan 8 through Jan 13
Curbside Tree Pickup Scheduled for week of Jan 8 through Jan 13