Register O'Donnell Testifies in Support of Mortgage Transparency

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Testifies in Support of Mortgage Transparency Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell recently traveled to the State House to testify in support of legislation that would promote mortgage transparency for consumers. Register O'Donnell testified before the legislature's Joint Committee on the Judiciary in support of Senate Bill #960 and House Bill #1413. This legislation is designed to increase mortgage transparency by requiring lending institutions to record mortgage assignments at the relevant Registry of Deeds office within 30 days of execution. "Passing this legislation into law," noted the Register, "guarantees that a homeowner would know when a third party has been assigned their residential mortgage, (usually sold by one financial institution to another), since the mortgage assignment would be forwarded to the appropriate Registry of Deeds office for recording. Additionally, consumers facing foreclosure or looking to record a mortgage discharge would benefit as the legislation provides a permanent source of reference for the homeowner. They could even view the transaction online at the appropriate Registry of Deeds." Register O'Donnell concluded, "I am hopeful the Joint Committee on the Judiciary will report the legislation favorably from committee. This legislation benefits homeowners across Massachusetts as it will eliminate uncertainty as to which lending institution is the mortgage holder of record." 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 web: https://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Register O'Donnell Testifies in Support of Mortgage Transparency

"aren’t building enough housing to keep up with population growth"

From the Boston Globe, articles of interest for Franklin:

"As the demand for more housing surges across Eastern Massachusetts, some communities are grappling with how to meet that need without damaging the quality of life. 

Dedham recently approved a temporary moratorium on new mixed-use development projects; Saugus instituted a moratorium on multifamily dwellings; and Arlington recently delayed action on zoning proposals that would ease restrictions to promote housing growth. 

“Like many cities and towns, there is a concern about growth and the ability to absorb that growth, whether it’s traffic, schools, or the infrastructure,’’ said Dedham Town Planner Jeremy Rosenberger. 

Multifamily housing accounted for nearly all new housing permits issued in Suffolk County between 2000 and 2017, and the majority in Middlesex and Norfolk counties, according to a recent report by the Boston Foundation. Single-family housing continued to predominate in Essex and Plymouth counties."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/globelocal/2019/08/01/too-much-too-fast-towns-hit-pause-big-projects/w7hfobk9LgLVH2gqfc8tFM/story.html

The complete Boston Foundation Report:
https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/reports/2019/june/greater-boston-housing-report-card-2019

On Page 93: the table of "Municipalities with the Highest Affordability Indices" shows Franklin in the top 20 sitting in the 12th position. Compared to the other top rankings Franklin has received, this is not one we want to be on.

the table of "Municipalities with the Highest Affordability Indices" shows
Franklin in the top 20 sitting in the 12th position

Save the Date for Franklin Harvest Festival on Oct. 5

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will hold the Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 5 in downtown Franklin. In case of rain, the event will take place on Sunday, October 6.

Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic for the event which will feature music, delicious foods, crafts, give-aways, sidewalk sales, and more. For the first time, there will also be beer and wine sold during the Harvest Festival.

On August 15, the Partnership will post a link to register for booth spaces online through the FDP website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org. Booths are free to Franklin FDP business members and $125 for non-members. Booth spaces are expected to sell-out so businesses are encouraged to sign up in August. Email questions to Event Chair Scott Martin, fdpevent@gmail.com.

“The Harvest Festival is our biggest event of the year,” said FDP Executive Director Lisa Piana. “We are looking forward to another great event that brings people into our beautiful downtown area.”

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of 270 business owners, community leaders and residents working to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area. 

Visit the FDP website for more information:
www.franklindowntownpartnership.org

Save the Date for Franklin Harvest Festival on Oct. 5

Are they calling your name? - 7 Committee and Board vacancies waiting to be filled

While some folks are going to take out papers to run for election to one of the committees or boards that are elected, there are other volunteer spots available on committees or boards that are appointed.

When I checked Saturday morning, there were 7 spots open:

• BOARD OF REGISTRARS (1 vacancies)
• CULTURAL DISTRICT COMMITTEE (1 vacancies)
• Design Review Commission (1 vacancies)
• Finance Committee (2 vacancies)
• Franklin Cultural Council (2 vacancies)
• Historical Commission (1 vacancies)

Do you have an interest and talent in one of these areas?

Prepare a cover letter and resume and you can submit online or stop by the Town Administrator's office to do so in person.

The open positions are found online  https://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/vt.php

Click on the board or committee name and a window will also to allow for an online application.

Committee - Board vacancies waiting to be filled -Are they calling your name?

"Teachers eventually get to a living wage, but it takes 20 years to get there"

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

"Paul O’Donoghue, 24, was sporting sunglasses and a Franklin Recreation Camp T-shirt on a humid July afternoon at King Street Memorial Park.

“I can’t complain – I get to play dodgeball and kickball with little kids,” he said.

O’Donoghue has been a camp director for the last four years, earning about $17 an hour. But during the school year, he goes by “Mr. O’Donoghue,” a math teacher at Franklin High School, earning about twice as much.

“I’m in the career that I think I’m meant for,” said O’Donoghue, a second-year teacher and Worcester resident who started at Franklin Recreation as a camper, then as a counselor in 2011. Teachers had a “really big impact” on his life, and he wanted to do the same for his students, he said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190803/area-teachers-supplement-modest-salaries-with-second-jobs

Details on the Pew Research Center can be found
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/07/01/about-one-in-six-u-s-teachers-work-second-jobs-and-not-just-in-the-summer/

During the school year, roughly a quarter (26%) of male teachers had a second job, compared with 15% of female teachers.

Offer to candidates for the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019

To the registered voters and potential candidates for Franklin's biennial election scheduled for November 5, 2019: 

I extend an offer to conduct and post an interview with you here on Franklin Matters and on the corresponding Facebook page. The interview can be either text or audio.

You are running for a position to conduct business on behalf of Franklin. 

Together, we can share your views, your objectives, and help to spread the word to create an informed voter.

Send me an email (shersteve at gmail dot com) and we can arrange a mutually convenient time before Election Day (to be conducted no later than October 19, 2019). 

This is my public service effort conducted solely to enable informed voters here in Franklin.
 

For reference you can dig into the archive of interviews for the prior Franklin elections covered here

• 2017 http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/election-collection-2017.html
• 2015 http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/08/election-collection-nov-3-2015.html
• 2013 http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/franklin-election-2013.html
• 2011 http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/08/election-2011-summary.html
• 2009 http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/10/2009-election-collection.html

The election collection for 2019 can be found here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html

Offer to candidates for the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019

FTC Consumer Alerts: Summer Film Series - Avoiding student loan debt

Summer Film Series: Avoiding student loan debt by Megan Gordon, Intern, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC Today's Summer Film Series feature is about something many recent graduates might be trying to put out of their minds this summer: student loans. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/08/summer-film-series-avoiding-student-loan-debt?utm_source=govdelivery  Video https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/08/summer-film-series-avoiding-student-loan-debt?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

---

"the burden of trying to get this done for two of our busiest days of the week outweighed any possible benefit"

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

"When shoppers hit the malls and Main Streets later this month during the state’s tax-free weekend, their lunch or dinner will continue to be taxed at 6.25 percent or higher after the Legislature Wednesday voted to exclude meals from the sales tax holiday.

The change was made at the request of Gov. Charlie Baker and restaurant owners who were concerned about their ability to implement a two-day tax holiday, and whether the cost of trying would outweigh any benefit.

Bob Luz, the president the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, said restaurants don’t have the capability when applying taxes to a check to separate food from alcohol.

“I think at the end of the day when everybody realized what had happened, the governor quite honestly had one of two options, either include alcohol or don’t,” Luz said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190802/baker-legislature-rolling-back-tax-holiday-on-meals

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Aug 2 to THU - Aug 8

Friday, August 2

9:30am

 SUMMER Family Yoga (outside if permitting)

10:00am

 Knitting Group

12:00pm

 Farmers Market

1:00pm

 SUMMER PROGRAM: Farmer's Market Fun!

8:00pm

 FPAC performs "Hamlet"

Saturday, August 3

10:00am

 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)

10:30am

 Baby Sensory!

1:00pm

 TEEN SUMMER Amazing Race!

8:00pm

 FPAC performs "Hamlet"

Sunday, August 4

1:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Monday, August 5

10:30am

 Move Along

10:30am

 SUMMER MOVE ALONG (outside if permitting, otherwise in Community Room)

1:00pm

 SUMMER PERFORMER: ImagArena

7:00pm

 Friends of the Franklin Library Meeting

Tuesday, August 6

9:30am

 Cool Cruisers

1:00pm

 SUMMER PROGRAM Spa Science

1:00pm

 TEEN SUMMER Page to Screen Showdown: THUG

7:00pm

 Friends of the Franklin Library Book Group

Wednesday, August 7

10:30am

 SUMMER Family Chess and More!

4:00pm

 SUMMER Crafternoon!

6:00pm

 Concerts on the Common: Kids Show TBD

6:30pm

 Concerts on the Common: DJ Mike Rutkowski

7:00pm

 Franklin Art Assoc - Monthly Meeting

Thursday, August 8

9:30am

 Baby Tummy Time

3:30pm

 TEEN SUMMER Board Game Cafe!

5:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

5:00pm

 SUMMER Thursday Movie Night

For the interactive version, please visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/links/submit-event

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Aug 2 to THU - Aug 8

Franklin Public Schools: Important Message for all Schools - Five Minutes Added

August 1, 2019

Dear Franklin Families and Faculty/Staff,

We are writing to inform you that an additional five (5) minutes will be added to the students' school day for Franklin Public Schools (grades K-12) for the 2019-2020 school year.

These five minutes will be added to the end of the students' school day and will be as follows:

• Franklin High School dismissal time: 2:10 PM
• Annie Sullivan Middle School dismissal time: 1:55 PM
• Horace Mann Middle School dismissal time: 2:00 PM
• Remington Middle School dismissal time: 1:55 PM
• Elementary School dismissal time: 2:45 PM

On half-days, the dismissal schedule will be:

• Franklin High School dismissal time: 10:55 AM
• Annie Sullivan Middle School dismissal time: 10:45 AM
• Horace Mann Middle School dismissal time: 10:50 AM
• Remington Middle School dismissal time: 10:45 AM
• Elementary School dismissal time: 11:45 AM

ECDC (PreK) hours will remain the same as the 2018-2019 school year.

More details will be forthcoming from building administrators as the school year approaches.

For your information and planning, this letter is also being shared with common after school providers within the Franklin community including the YMCA, Adirondack Club, FSPA, Elementree House, and FPS Solutions.

If you have any questions, please contact your school building administrators.

Sincerely,

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin Public Schools: Important Message for all Schools - Five Minutes Added

Invitation to attend Climate Crisis Forum - Oct 17

Friends,

It's not too late, but we're not talking the distant future. We're talking right now.

The question of how bad things will be due to the Climate Crisis, the amount of suffering that will occur, the amount of destruction, loss of property, human and animal lives, is a function of what humans do. The actions we take.

Learn what you can do.

It's a Climate Crisis, an emergency and "Franklin 2050: The Climate Crisis" is taking place October 17, 2019 in Franklin, MA.

Hear from notables in the field on the front lines of climate action science, environmental and legislative activism. Discover why its an emergency. Learn the causes and effects and solutions at hand - at the local and state level - to reduce the dangers of the climate crisis for yourself, your family and your children. Right here in Norfolk County.

Speakers:

• Carolyn Barthel, Coordinator, 350 Massachusetts for a Better Future, Franklin node
• Marjorie Decker, State Representative, 25th Middlesex District
• Ted McIntyre PhD, Board Member, Massachusetts Climate Action Network

A free educational community wide forum will be held at Elks Lodge, 1077 Pond Street, Franklin, MA, October 17, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

Registration encouraged. Space is limited.

Go to:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/franklin-2050-the-climate-crisis-tickets-65325208457


Many thanks,

Richard Halpern
Franklin Democratic Town Committee

Franklin, MA 

 

Invitation to attend Climate Crisis Forum - Oct 17

Dancing on Dean: The Driftwoods - Aug 16

On Friday, August 16, we’re celebrating the Beach Boys with a free, summer, block party event from 6 PM - 9 PM in downtown Franklin, MA! 

Enjoy live performances from The Driftwoods, the #1 Beach Boys cover band! 

There will be free drinks, food, and fun! Be sure to bring the family. We can't wait to see you there!

The Driftwoods (Facebook photo)

Shared from the Dean Bank Facebook page

 

"would require hands-free use of all mobile devices while driving"

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

"House and Senate Democrats failed to reach a compromise on long-discussed distracted driving legislation after a marathon session Wednesday, abandoning the issue about four hours after Senate President Karen Spilka said a resolution appeared imminent.

Both branches held sessions open from Wednesday afternoon until after midnight Thursday in what was expected to be the last day before a traditional August recess.

With a six-member conference committee privately negotiating the mobile device ban, Spilka told the News Service around 7:45 p.m. that there was an “agreement in principle” and that she expected the matter “should be done tonight.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190801/distracted-driving-bill-hung-up-as-recess-begins

From MAHighway   https://youtu.be/8EHKcScFnsI

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - Aug 14

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Municipal Building

355 East Central Street, 3rd Floor Training Room

Franklin, MA

August 14, 2019 - 5:30 PM
REVISED

Announcements: This meeting may be recorded by audio or video.

Discussion:
1.Plastic Bag Ban Proposal
2.Potential project at the former Keigan’s dealership - East Central Street



The agenda can be found at the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/2019-08-14_edc_agenda.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - Aug 14

George Monbiot at TED: "The new political story that could change everything"

"To get out of the mess we're in, we need a new story that explains the present and guides the future, says author George Monbiot. Drawing on findings from psychology, neuroscience and evolutionary biology, he offers a new vision for society built around our fundamental capacity for altruism and cooperation. This contagiously optimistic talk will make you rethink the possibilities for our shared future."

https://www.ted.com/talks/george_monbiot_the_new_political_story_that_could_change_everything

In the News: Police warn on scams; Crown Vic - classic police vehicle

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

"Since January, more than $800,000 has been stolen from Franklin corporations and residents due to fraud, according to police Sgt. Brian Johnson. 

“Once that money is gone, there’s no hope of recovering it,” he said. 

Local police departments, including Franklin and Medway, are urging residents to educate themselves on scams and how to spot them. 

“It happens a lot,” said Johnson, adding that police receive reports of scams a couple times a month. Of the $800,003 stolen this year, Johnson said about $700,000 of that was taken from a local corporation through wire fraud."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190731/franklin-medway-police-warn-residents-of-scams

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/spread-word-about-social-security-scams.html

"Natick police received the last Crown Vic outfitted by MHQ in May 2013. The company put a decal designating it as the “Final Edition Crown Victoria.” Many MHQ employees signed the inside of the trunk to mark the occasion. 

Of the four Crown Vics left in Franklin’s 28-vehicle fleet, three are used by detectives and one is used by officers to go to court assignments or training events, according to Police Chief Thomas J. Lynch. 

“These vehicles do not accrue mileage as fast as regularly deployed Patrol Division vehicles,” he wrote in an email to the Daily News. “As the four remaining CVPIs accrue mileage, years of service and eventually meet our vehicle replacement policy, they will be replaced with Ford Police Interceptor utilities or sedans.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190731/final-crown-vic-police-cruisers-are-rarely-on-road-in-metrowest-region

https://twitter.com/milforddaily/status/1156654279198957569

In the News: Gov Baker approves FY 2020 budget; MA schools ranked #1 - again

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

"Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday accomplished something House Speaker Robert DeLeo, who joined the Legislature in 1991, said he does not remember seeing happen before: signing the annual state budget without issuing a single spending veto. 

Placing the bottom line at $43.3 billion, Baker signed the annual budget just after 10 a.m. Wednesday, nearly a full month after the start of fiscal 2020 on July 1. 

The Republican governor also went along with the Democrat-controlled Legislature’s tweaks to a drug pricing control measure he proposed in January, and its $5.2 billion in Chapter 70 aid to local schools, nearly $70 million more than he recommended in the budget proposal he filed in January along with a series of school funding reforms. 

Responding to reporter questions after signing the bill in his office, Baker revealed that he did not slash any spending because “this budget’s balanced.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190731/baker-signs-433b-budget-oks-all-spending

"For the second year in a row, Massachusetts schools are tops in the nation. 

At least that was the result of a recently-released study from the personal finance website WalletHub. 

The state’s schools were the highest ranked in both math and reading test scores, as well as the lowest percentage of threatened and injured high school students. The state ranked in the top five in several other categories. 

“Almost 8 percent of Massachusetts’ schools are among the top 700 nationwide, and its students have some of the highest math, reading and ACT scores,” Diana Polk, WalletHub communications manager, said in an email to Wicked Local. “In addition, a third of high school students in the class of 2018 scored at least ‘3’ on advanced placement exams, the largest percentage in the country. These all speak to the quality of the state’s public school system, which is maintained from year to year.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190731/report-massachusetts-schools-best-in-nation---again

Find the full study online  https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-schools/5335/

For the second year in a row, Massachusetts schools are tops in the nation