Monday, April 8, 2019

Register O'Donnell Sees Reduced Real Estate Activity During 1st Quarter



Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register O'Donnell Sees Reduced Real Estate Activity During 1st Quarter

Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell noted that the first quarter of 2019 (Jan-March) was marked by reduced real estate sales and lending activity for Norfolk County in comparison to the same period in 2018.

Register O'Donnell noted, "This year's 1st quarter saw real estate sales in Norfolk County, both residential and commercial, fall 4% year over year. There were 3,374 properties sold compared to 3,525 during the 1st quarter 2018. I believe these sluggish numbers can be directly attributed to the lack of available real estate inventory on today's market. Also, typically the winter months are not the busiest months when it comes to real estate."

The average sales price, again both residential and commercial, during the 1st quarter was $734,773, a 23% decrease from the 1st quarter of 2018. Additionally, the total volume of residential and commercial sales for the quarter was $1.3 billion, a 26% decrease year over year. These numbers were directly impacted by the 1st quarter 2018 sales of two commercial properties in Quincy totaling $80 million and $43 million respectively and also the $76 million sale of the former Reebox headquarters in Canton.

Furthermore, Norfolk County saw a reduction in the number of mortgages recorded during the quarter. A total of 4,532 mortgages were recorded during the 1st quarter 2019 compared to 5,155 during the same time period in 2018. "With a projected national growth rate this year of around 2.1%, one wonders what impact it will have on sluggish real estate sales and lending activity," noted O'Donnell.

On the consumer front, the number of Homestead filings was flat. A total of 2,209 Homesteads were recorded during the 1st quarter, representing no statistical change from the same time period in 2018. O'Donnell reminded homeowners, "The Homestead law provides limited protection against the forced sale of an individual's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. I urge Norfolk County homeowners to consider this important consumer protection tool."

"If there was a bright spot for the first quarter it was the declining foreclosure activity numbers," noted Register O'Donnell. "The number of foreclosure deeds recorded was 36, a 47% decrease from the 1st quarter 2018. Also, there was a 44% reduction in the number of Notice to Foreclose Mortgage filings, the first step in the foreclosure process."

The Register also noted, "While the foreclosure figures for the quarter were encouraging, my office continues to partner with Quincy Community Action Programs, 617-479-8181 x376, and NeighborWorks Southern Mass, 508-587-0950. These organizations have staff available to help anyone who has received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lender. Another option is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400. Each of these programs is staffed by knowledgeable professionals. I urge anyone who is facing a foreclosure to avail themselves of one of these excellent programs."

Register O'Donnell concluded, "The Norfolk County real estate market continues to be adversely affected by a lack of available inventory. I am particularly concerned this continuing trend will make it extremely difficult for prospective first-time home buyers to enter the market. On the plus side, I was elated with the dramatic decline in the foreclosure numbers."

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 is located at 649 High Street in 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 www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone 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


--
Stephen Sherlock

Community Information Director (volunteer) for FranklinMAtters.org/ 

Sunday, April 7, 2019

Franklin, MA: School Committee - April 9, 2019

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. District Improvement Plan Update – SEL – Mr. Giguere & Mrs. Marano

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. none

4. Discussion Only Items
a. FY20 Budget Discussion
b. School Start Times Discussion

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]; School Start Times Advisory
Committee [SSTAC], MASC)

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

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your March 26, 2019 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
b. Executive Session Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the Executive Session of your March 26, 2019 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
c. Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $884.50 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips as detailed.
d. Keller Grant
I recommend acceptance of a check for $400.00 from Youth Services America for a grant for in-house enrichment as detailed.
e. Oak Street Gifts
I recommend acceptance of two check totaling $1,634.00 from the Oak Street PCC for Field Trips as detailed.
f. Oak Street Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request to take Oak Street students to the Providence  Children’s Museum on May 24, 2019 as detailed.
g. Jefferson Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $6,101.00 from the Jefferson PCC for field trips as detailed.
h. MS Music Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Diane Plouffe for the recurring field trip for middle school Music students to Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH on Friday, June 14, 2019 as detailed.
i. Heart Association Gift Certificates
I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,350.00 from the American Heart Association for supplemental supplies as detailed.
j. Davis Thayer Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from the American Heart Association for supplemental supplies as detailed.

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence
a. Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

11. Adjournment

School Committee Agenda:
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_4-9-19.pdf

Documents released for this meeting
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/april-9-2019-school-committee-meeting-packet

Parmenter school flags in the wind
Parmenter school flags in the wind

Superintendent Ahern's Letter to School Committee on "School Start Times Discussion and Request"

To: Franklin School Committee

From: Sara E. Ahern, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools 

Date: April 4, 2019

Re: School Start Times Discussion and Request

The purpose of this memo is for me to propose next steps with respect to the matter of adjusting school start times in Franklin in advance of the discussion on April 9, 2019.

I propose that the School Committee consider the matter of adjusting school start times in two steps. The first step would be to vote this spring to 1) dissolve the SSTAC and 2) authorize me as Superintendent to move the inquiry into a second phase. This second phase would build off of the work of the advisory committee by continuing to iterate the proposal as greater clarity is gained. As transparency and communication is critical on such important matters, I would build in regular and predictable checkpoints with the School Committee and the community with updates on progress.

The second step would be to vote on adjusting start times at the conclusion of the second phase of this work, once more of the potential impacts are resolved and a more detailed proposal is available. I would anticipate this vote to be during the 2019-2020 school year. This may delay any potential implementation, but I feel that it is important to gain greater clarity and have a more detailed proposal.

The rationale for this suggestion follows:

At your last meeting, on March 26, 2019, the School Start Times Advisory Committee (SSTAC) presented its findings and recommendation to the School Committee. The advisory group voted 13-2 in favor of adjusting start times. Further, the committee evaluated 2 scenarios and presented you with specific details on the votes on each. I would like to share a little more about the context of the advisory committee’s work and recommendation.

The purpose of the SSTAC was to study the prospect of adjusting start times locally in Franklin, based on what research supports about sleep and adolescents and its assessment of impacts locally. It was formed in December of 2017 and was intentionally comprised of both community and school department members. The individuals on this committee volunteered numerous hours of their time in both meeting as a group and in conducting independent investigations into the questions that were posed as part of the six subcommittees. Their efforts were invaluable, are much appreciated, and are to be commended.

As a public body, there were inherent limitations of the SSTAC. All members were sworn in by the Town Clerk and took an oath to abide by the Open Meeting Law, which limited the committee’s dexterity and flexibility in performing its research. All matters were handled in the public realm with agendas posted and minutes tracked. Work in between meetings was necessarily up to team members as individuals, making the task more difficult. On one hand, this was a very welcome approach as it kept the conversation transparent and open to the community. That being said, it limited the depth of the work in between formal meetings, which could realistically occur only once or twice per month.

The SSTAC’s recommendation comes forward with Scenario B being a favored situation based on “ideal” circumstances (based on the research), although it had not received unanimous support. I asserted to the SSTAC at its last meeting that I would need flexibility to alter the scenario in the next phase of the work because more details admittedly need to be worked out.

Many of the details that were identified by the advisory group, and some that the group did not consider, are now being identified and discussed within the community. I wish to express my thanks and gratitude for members of the community who have shared their thoughtful perspectives, on both sides of the issue, over the past two weeks. These e-mails add depth to the comments that were provided when the community was initially surveyed.

Themes that have arisen include but are not limited to:

  • Research on elementary students, their sleep, and earlier school times
  • Impact to sports, specifically more detail related to use of facilities for gymnastics, swimming, and hockey
  • Student voice in the change process
  • Before and after school childcare
  • School start times as part of a holistic discussion on children’s health and schedules
  • Continuation of middle school activities after school

I welcome this feedback as it can only make our consideration of the topic richer and fuller as well as any proposed solution a better one for the community.

Much of the feedback that has been received raises important questions, which can only be answered with more time. As such, as Superintendent, I would like to clarify my request of the School Committee.

Again, I propose that the School Committee consider the matter of adjusting school start times in two subsequent steps. The first, would be to vote this spring to 1) dissolve the SSTAC and 2) authorize me as Superintendent to move the inquiry into a second phase. This second phase would build off of the work of the advisory committee by continuing to iterate the proposal as greater clarity is gained. By authorizing me to move into the second phase, I could conduct this work with an internal team who can dive deeper into resolving the issues. I would welcome further collaboration with faculty and staff, coaches and advisors, families, students, and community members throughout this process. Additionally, as transparency and communication is critical on such important matters, we would build in regular and predictable checkpoints with the School Committee and the community with updates on progress.

The second step would be to vote on adjusting start times at the conclusion of the second phase of this work, once more of the potential impacts are resolved and a more detailed proposal is available. I would anticipate this vote to be during the 2019-2020 school year. This may delay any potential implementation, but I feel that it is important to gain greater clarity and have a more detailed proposal.

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sst-discussion-memo

Parmenter School flags in breeze blowing the other way
Parmenter School flags in breeze blowing the other way

Franklin, MA: Town Council - April 10, 2019 - Agenda

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 2019

You can also find the full set of documents in one PDF
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/april_10_2019_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf

(Note: where there are active links in the agenda item, it will take you to the associated document)

Agenda ItemSummary
Town Council Meeting Agenda
Meeting of April 10, 2019
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
2. CITIZENS COMMENTS
a. 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.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 13, 2019
3b. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 20, 2019
4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
None
5. APPOINTMENTS
None
6. HEARINGS
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-837: Zoning Map Changes from General Residential V to Single Family Residential IV an Area on or Near West Central Street
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
None
8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Veterans Agent Presentation
9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee
10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-27: Appropriation & Borrowing Well 3 & 6 Water Treatment Plant (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-27- Two-Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote (6))
10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-28: Grove Street Water Treatment Plant (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-28 - Majority Vote (5))
10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-29: Appropriation Sewer Enterprise Fund Beaver Street Interceptor (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-29 - Majority Vote (5))
10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 19-30: Acceptance of Gift- Veterans Services (Motion to Approve Resolution 19-30 - Majority Vote (5))
10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-837: Zoning Map Changes from General Residential V to Single Family Residential IV an Area on or Near West Central Street- 1st Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-837 to a 2nd Reading- Majority Vote (5))
10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 19-838: Amendment to the Franklin Town Code at Ch. 153 Stormwater Management-1st Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 19-838 to a 2nd Reading- Majority Vote (5))
10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 19-839: Municipal Service Fees- Recycling Sticker Rate Increase- 2nd Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 19-839- Majority Roll Call Vote (5))
10h. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 19-840: Municipal Service Fees- Curbside Trash/Recycling Rate Increase- 2nd Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 19-840 - Majority Roll Call Vote (5))
11. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13. COUNCIL COMMENTS
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None Scheduled
15. ADJOURN
Veterans Walkway at night
Veterans Walkway at night

Medals come home to Franklin from MICCA Festival

Via Twitter, we find a bunch of medals coming home to Franklin form the MICCA Festival.








ASMS Symphony Band earns Gold medal at MICCA festival Friday night
ASMS Symphony Band earns Gold medal at MICCA festival Friday night

FHS Chamber Chorus performs "Orpheus with his lute made trees" (video)

Via Twitter I can share this item

"Mike Kregler and I are so happy to finally be able to share a recording of his piece with you! Commissioned for the 2018-2019 FHS Chamber Chorus, recorded in February after its premiere."
"I gotta tell you, this one is really special to me.

A work for SSA chorus and piano, "Orpheus with his lute made trees" was commissioned by the Franklin High School Treble Chorus and their director, Olivia Goliger. Olivia is a good friend and without a doubt one of the finest musicians I have ever known. And the recording we managed to get after a fairly humble start? It's overwhelming. She is very proud of her singers and so am I.
 
The text for this piece is found in Shakespeare's Henry VIII and tells of Orpheus, the legendary musician whose musical abilities were so powerful that trees, mountaintops, the sea et al., all obeyed his commands. What's more, while those lines are nothing short of profound and eloquent, it is the final tercet that reads like a mission statement for musicians, like a motto we have tattooed on our souls, if you will: 
In sweet music is such art,
Killing care and grief of heart
Fall asleep, or hearing, die.
 
I hope you enjoy this spirited setting of "Orpheus with his lute made trees!"
https://www.michaelckregler.com/blog/new-music-recording-orpheus-with-his-lute-made-trees-ssa-and-piano





Mark your calendar: Kindergarten Information Night Schedule

The schedule of Kindergarten information nights is shown here


School Date Time
Davis Thayer Thursday, May 2, 2019 5:45 PM
Jefferson Thursday, May 9, 2019 6:00 PM
Keller Tuesday, May 14, 2019 6:00 PM
Kennedy Thursday, May 16, 2019 6:00 PM
Oak St Wednesday, May 29, 2019 6:00 PM
Parmenter Wednesday, May 15, 2019 6:00 PM

Kindergarten Information Night Schedule
Kindergarten Information Night Schedule