“We like to say ‘play messy so they’ll think messy’"

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

From across a small field at Oak Grove Farm Friday morning, two-year-old Charlie Phippard saw children experimenting with water and dirt near the edge of the woods. 

“Mud,” he exclaimed, dashing across the space. 

Elsewhere, toddlers poured buckets of water down makeshift slides, sprayed it at tubes of duct-taped plastic bottles, played with colored, frozen blocks of it, created pools for small stone pigs with it, and submerged a variety of things into containers of it. 

The children watched the results of their play with a combination of serious focus and sheer delight. 

This is Tinkergarten, a play-based learning program popping up across the Milford area.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180810/millis-learning-through-play-at-tinkergarten

Tinkergarten had some classes in Franklin in August of last year
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/two-quick-updates-on-tinkergarten.html

https://twitter.com/tinkergarten

Register O'Donnell Highlights July '18 Norfolk County Real Estate Numbers

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Highlights July '18 Norfolk County Real Estate Numbers While residential and commercial real estate transactions crept slowly higher for the month of July 2018, the average sales price of Norfolk County property remains as hot as the summer's weather. Register O'Donnell noted, "During the month of July, a total of 1,796 residential and commercial properties were sold in Norfolk County, representing a modest 2% increase year over year. This small growth in sales activity, contrasting with the significant increases seen in total dollar sales volume and average sales price for both residential and commercial properties, clearly demonstrates the extremes of the market." For the month of July, total real estate sales volume was $1.06 billion, a 33% increase compared to July 2017. Also, the average sales price, again for both residential and commercial properties, was $835,316, a 29% increase compared to the previous year. "Industry observers," stated O'Donnell, "are seeing sellers getting their asking price and in some cases, even more. This data strongly points to the continuing competition amongst prospective buyers for a very limited pool of real estate inventory." Lending activity for July decreased by 4% countywide. A total of 2,309 mortgages were recorded during the month compared to 2,407 recorded in July 2017. O'Donnell noted, "It would appear rising interest rates are causing consumers to pause when borrowing money for big ticket expenditure items." An aberration in the July data was the steep decrease in total residential and commercial borrowing which fell by 79% to $992 million. However, this major drop-off can be largely attributed to a $1.6 billion mortgage taken out against a commercial property on the Weymouth and Quincy line in July 2017. On the comsumer front, July also saw a slight 3% increase in the number of Homesteads recorded from the same time last year. "A Homestead," noted Register O'Donnell, "is an important consumer protection tool that provides limited protection against the forced sale of a homeowner's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000." During July 2018, there were small increases seen in foreclosure activity. A total of 20 foreclosure deeds were recorded during the month compared to 18 in July 2017. In addition, 38 Notice to Foreclose Mortgage recordings, the first step in the foreclosure process, were filed versus 34 year over year. O'Donnell noted, "We continue to watch closely the foreclosure numbers here in Norfolk County." The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds 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 lending institution. Another option is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at (617) 727-8400. Register O'Donnell concluded, "Norfolk County continues to mirror eastern Massachusetts when it comes to limited real estate inventory, resulting in higher housing costs. The reduced lending numbers also tell us that consumers are looking at the impact of higher interest rates before making major purchases, especially in the area of real estate." 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

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 12, 2018 - Final Day, Final Feast

Food Booths, Rides and Music - Sunday, August 12 from 12:00 Noon - 8:00 PM

Unlimited Ride Specials:
Sunday from 12 noon to 4 PM - $25 per person with coupon, $30 without coupon  http://fiestashows.com/m/events/byid/277

Additional info can be found on the St Rocco page
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/feast-st-rocco

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 12, 2018

Franklin School for the Performing Arts to host a series of Open Houses

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts will host a series of Open Houses at 38 Main Street on Tuesday, August 14 from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, August 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Wednesday, August 29 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, September 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The community is invited to tour the facilities, speak with faculty and staff, and learn more about FSPA programs in music, dance, and drama for all ages and levels. Prospective students are also encouraged to schedule a complimentary trial class. The FSPA summer session runs through August 24, and fall classes begin on September 10. Registration is ongoing for all programs.

Proudly serving more than 500 students annually from 45 communities in Massachusetts’ Metro West region, FSPA is a unique place where students of all ages and levels of ability participate in an array of music, dance and drama programs with professional instruction and extraordinary performing opportunities.

For additional info visit FSPA online at https://www.fspaonline.com/

Franklin School for the Performing Arts to host a series of Open Houses

Franklin and Medway Police receive Jail Diversion Program Grant

The Franklin Police Department has been awarded a joint grant with the Medway Police Department, and Advocates, Inc. of Framingham, Massachusetts to hire a clinical social worker to assist with cases of people in a mental health crisis. This grant was made possible by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.

The Jail Diversion Program aims to help people in mental health crisis get the assistance they need, and not direct them unnecessarily into the Criminal Justice System. The Clinician will ride with police officers in cruisers and respond directly to calls. They will help evaluate and make recommendations for further care and follow up. This shortens the time on scene for officers, and ultimately leads to a better outcome for those involved.

The initial grant is valued at approximately $300,000, and is good for three years, with renewals possible after that.

Franklin Chief of Police Thomas J Lynch said “This program has been successfully used in several surrounding communities. Mental health crisis calls can be very difficult for officers, and having a highly trained clinician with them will lead to better results for all involved.”

Medway Chief of Police Allen M. Tingley added that “Mental health calls can be stressful, and sometimes volatile. Any tools that we can give our officers to resolve these calls without the use of force, and also reduce the number of repeat calls for service is a win for the Department, and the individual in crisis.

The program is in its initial phase of hiring a clinician, and working on new policies and procedures. It is expected that the program will be fully functioning within two months. Program coordinators for the Jail Diversion Program are Sgt. Brian Johnson of the Franklin Police Department, and Detective Sergeant Matthew Reardon of the Medway Police Department.

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/news/franklin-and-medway-police-receive-jail-diversion-program-grant

Franklin and Medway Police receive Jail Diversion Program Grant

"Drunk? Stoned? Driving? Don’t.”

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

"As the list of legal and commercially available substances that can impair a person’s ability to drive a vehicle grows to include pot, state public safety officials on Wednesday launched a public awareness campaign to urge drivers to find alternate transportation if they have been drinking or using marijuana. 

An average of 125 drunk or high drivers die on Massachusetts roads each year, Undersecretary for Public Safety and Security Jennifer Queally said, and a recent Department of Public Health survey found that one-third of people who said they have used marijuana in the last 30 days have also driven under the influence in the last 30 days. 

“The number of high drivers and the number of deaths on our roadways is already too high, no pun intended,” Queally said Wednesday at a press conference to launch the campaign. “Driving high, driving stoned or driving drunk is dangerous and illegal, but most importantly it is deadly.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20180809/no-difference-between-driving-drunk-or-stoned-new-psa-warns

https://youtu.be/l5Xc3FRLEek

In the News: St Rocco's ends; Pfeffer recognized

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

"Nobody knows better than Peter Brunelli why the Feast of St. Rocco ends tonight after a 40-year run. 

“People get older,” Brunelli said while seated Saturday under a tent to shield him from a steady drizzle. Brunelli, 78, is co-chairman of this year’s weekend festival, and he’s been to all 40 of them. He grew up in Franklin, still lives there, and said there just aren’t enough volunteers anymore to keep the event going. 

It all started in 1978, when the Rev. Brian Manning wanted a community celebration at St. Mary’s Parish modeled after a traditional Italian festival. Manning noticed a statue of St. Rocco on the parish grounds, and decided it would be the theme of the party. 

St. Rocco is the patron saint of healing, and the statue still stands on grounds across the street from the parish. Ribbons in the color of the Italian Flag hung on it Saturday, and dollar bills were pinned to the ribbons, a festival tradition."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180812/40-year-tradition-ends-in-franklin

"Judith Pond Pfeffer comes from a long line of Franklinites who took on various roles in town, from the Town Hall to the fire station. It was these people who gave her an up-close look at the rewards of public service as she was growing up. 

Cut from the same cloth, Pfeffer has always followed their example. 

So it comes as no surprise that Pfeffer was recently recognized by the state Legislature and the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) as an “Unsung Heroine.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180811/franklins-judith-pond-pfeffer-honored-as-unsung-heroine