Friday, August 9, 2019

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Aug 9 to THU - Aug 15


For the interactive version, please visit
For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar
https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

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

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Aug 9 to THU - Aug 15
Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Aug 9 to THU - Aug 15

Franklin Election 2019: What does the Board of Health do?

From the Annual Report of 2018 is this brief section on the Board of Health:
"The three-member elected Board of Health is the policy making arm for the Health Department. The board members assist in the drafting of public health bylaws and regulations, and review all site plans for compliance with local and state public health regulations. The board presides over administrative hearings in all matters concerning Health Department licensed and permitted activities. Board members are available for consultation on issues relative to the public health as well."
Two positions are up for election on November 5 for a 4 year term. The other position will be up for election in 2 years. This staggers the membership to maintain institutional knowledge.

What does the Health Department do?
"The Franklin Health Department is charged with protecting the public health and well-being of the community, in accordance with federal, state and local public health laws and regulations. 
The Franklin Health Department's responsibilities include inspecting and permitting new and repaired/upgraded individual septic systems, witnessing percolation testing, biannual inspections of all food service and retail food establishments, investigating complaints of public health nuisances, enforcement of the state sanitary code relative to housing, licensing of children's recreational camps, inspection of semi-public swimming pools and spas, tanning salon and manicure/pedicure establishment inspections. The Health Department also issues permits for individual private drinking water and irrigation wells."

State Required Duties of the Board of Health can be found here 
http://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/pages/state-required-duties-board-health

The Board of Health can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department


Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html 


Franklin Election 2019: What does the Board of Health do?
Franklin Election 2019: What does the Board of Health do?

“This vote represents a serious misinterpretation of FCC authority"

From the Mass Municipal Association we find the news about the recent FCC order. Exactly how this plays out and what it means for Franklin TV and to the Town of Franklin budget process remains to be seen.
"On Aug. 1, the Federal Communications Commission ruled, by a 3-2 vote, that cable-related, in-kind contributions required by local franchising authorities from cable operators are in fact franchise fees subject to the statutory 5% cap.

The FCC ruled that the definition of “in-kind, cable-related contributions” includes “any non-monetary contributions … including but not limited to free or discounted cable service to public buildings, costs in support of PEG [Public, Educational and Governmental] access other than capital costs, and costs attributable to the construction of I-Nets. It does not include the costs of complying with build-out and customer service requirements.”

The FCC’s Third Report and Order on Cable Franchising Fees largely adopts the tentative conclusions of the Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, issued last September. The decision runs counter to the flood of concerns the FCC received during the public comment period about its tentative conclusions.

The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors said the Aug. 1 ruling “provides a windfall to largely monopoly cable companies on the backs of local communities,” adding that the commission “decided to drastically rewrite federal law and wipe out 35 years of cable franchise agreements that had been negotiated based on mutual understanding of what the law meant.”
Continue reading the article online
https://www.mma.org/fcc-order-preempts-terms-in-existing-cable-franchise-agreements/

“This vote represents a serious misinterpretation of FCC authority"
“This vote represents a serious misinterpretation of FCC authority"

Thursday, August 8, 2019

THE BLACK BOX Local Artist Series: The Delta Generators, The DayBreakers! - Aug 10

On Saturday, August 10 at 8 PM The Delta Generators return to THE BLACK BOX with opening act The DayBreakers.
 
Featuring Brian Templeton on vocals and harmonica, Charlie O’Neal on guitar, Rick O’Neal on bass, and Jeff Armstrong on drums, the Boston-based band blend the fine line between rhythm and blues and Americana in a way that makes them anything but average.

In 2017, the band recorded the audio for their sold out show at The Spire Center in Plymouth, MA, which they then used to release their first live album, “Delta Generators Live At The Spire.” This release followed in the footsteps of their four studio albums, “Devil In The Rhythm” (2008), “Hard River To Row” (2009), “Get On The Horse” (2014), and “Hipshakers and Heartbreakers” (2016).

“Delta Generators Live At The Spire” is the band’s first album with Templeton, who joined the group in 2016. The album features originals written by both Templeton and Delta Generators, as well as a few cover songs, and was recorded by Gary Sjolin and Kevin Marshall, mixed by David Minehan of Woolly Mammoth Studios and mastered by Dana White of Specialized Mastering.

Since forming in 2008, Delta Generators have won several awards including the Boston Blues Society Blues Challenge in 2008 and have placed in the top ten at The International Blues Challenge in 2009 (See more awards below). In the last few years, the band have shared the stage with such acts as Robert Cray, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Three Dog Night, Jimmie Vaughn, and Sonny Landreth, among others.

With Opening Act - The DayBreakers!

About The DayBreakers: Blending folk-rock melodies with blues guitar muscle and rock and roll grit, The DayBreakers have earned their stripes over four years of consistent gigging throughout New England. The band has played many of Boston and Cambridge's most revered rooms, sharing the stage with some of the region's best roots rockers, such as Entrain and The Silks. The band has also performed as an opener at Indian Ranch in Webster, MA for three years running, opening for Three Dog Night, The Beach Boys, and Bret Michaels.

For tickets and more information, visit www.theblackboxonline.com or call 508-528-3370. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin. 


Direct link to tickets  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1222

The Delta Generators return to THE BLACK BOX with opening act The DayBreakers
The Delta Generators return to THE BLACK BOX with opening act The DayBreakers

Franklin Election 2019: What does the Board of Assessors do?

While the Town Council votes to set the tax rate annually, the calculations on what the tax rate should be are based upon the valuations of all the commercial, industrial, residential, and personal property that Franklin has record of. These calculations are performed by the Assessors under the oversight of the elected Board of Assessors.

The state has changed the requirement for a property revaluation from every three years to every five years.

There are three members of the Board. Two positions are up for election this year. All three positions are four year terms of office and staggered to avoid a complete replacement and loss of institutional knowledge.

From the Town of Franklin Board of Assessors page
http://www.franklinma.gov/board-assessors
Mission
Establish and maintain valuations for all real and personal property within the community for purposes of generating tax revenues.

Services and Programs
Valuation, classification and assessment of all real and personal property for tax purposes. Conduct research of real estate market (including sales and ratio studies); prepare sales and other reports for state review and certification of values. Prepares and certifies abutters lists. Processes abatements, liens, and apportionment. Maintains assessors' maps, plans, property transfer records, and valuation data. Processes all real and personal property abatements and exemptions. Processes and abates motor vehicle excise. Prepares data for state approval of tax rate.

Inquiries regarding the valuation of residential property, industrial and commercial valuations, or questions about personal property valuations should be directed to Kevin W. Doyle, Peter Mooney or David Ruberti.

Questions regarding abatement and exemption applications, abutters lists, motor vehicle excise, ownership of real and personal property and general assessment data should be directed to the clerical support staff.

The Board of Assessors section in Franklin Annual Report for 2018 can be found
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/02/franklin-annual-report-2018-board-of.html

Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html 



Franklin Election 2019: What does the Board of Assessors do?
Franklin Election 2019: What does the Board of Assessors do?
  

“I have to earn their trust just as much as they have to earn mine”

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, writes on the hiring of Anthony Sarno as the FHS boys hockey coach:

"Franklin athletic director Tom Angelo announced that former Weymouth High assistant Anthony Sarno has been hired as the new boys hockey coach. Sarno will take over from Chris Spillane, who stepped down in April after two successful decades with the program that included a state championship and a Super 8 berth.

“I first heard about the opening and I was kind of shocked,” Sarno explained in a phone call on Wednesday. “Chris Spillane has been a legend there and to have the opportunity to even get an interview for the job is an honor. Ever since I was a kid and growing up and coaching at Weymouth the last five years you get to know a lot of different teams and Franklin High has always had a fantastic program.”

He added, “After meeting Tom Angelo and having the opportunity to interview for the job, it just felt right. It felt like a good fit.”

Sarno was with the Weymouth program for the past five years. He was the JV coach and the associate varsity coach. In 2017 he took over the program when head coach Patrick Kennedy was called up to active duty. Sarno held the head coaching job for the remainder of the 2017 season and stepped back to allow Kennedy to regain the position when he returned."

Continue reading the article online
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-names-anthony-sarno-as-new-boys-hockey-coach/

In case you missed it, the retirement of Coach Chris Spillane was shared here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/04/you-want-them-walking-away-saying-i.html

Former Weymouth assistant Anthony Sarno has been hired to be the new boys hockey coach at Franklin. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
Former Weymouth assistant Anthony Sarno has been hired to be the new boys hockey coach at Franklin. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

"It’s good economic development”

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

"Local fans of The Chateau will no longer have to contemplate a longish drive to get their toasted ravioli fix, or to satisfy a craving for a plate of chicken Parm blanketed in the restaurant’s signature sauce.

The popular family-style Italian restaurant is making plans to open a new location -- its ninth -- at the corner of King and Union Streets in the building that was, until recently, occupied by Joe’s American Bar and Grill.

Unconfirmed rumors about the impending newcomer to the town’s restaurant scene have been circulating in Franklin’s social media circles for a few weeks. Those rumors are now confirmed with the filing of an application by The Chateau Restaurant of Franklin, Inc. seeking a common victualler’s and all alcoholic beverages license from the town.

The Town Council will hold a hearing on the license application at their next meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 14. The council schedules its public hearings to begin at 7:10 p.m."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20190807/chateau-coming-to-franklin-license-hearing-set-for-aug-14


https://www.chateaurestaurant.com/
https://www.chateaurestaurant.com/

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Franklin Election 2019: What does the School Committee do?

While the Town Council approves the overall Franklin budget including the school district, the oversight of the school district is the sole responsibility of the School Committee. They hire the Superintendent, who in turn is ultimately responsible (1) for the hiring of all the other school personnel and (2) the day-to-day management of the district.

Under MA law, each school principal is granted responsibility for all that happens in their building. 

The School Committee raised sports and activity fees, added a parking fee for the high school, and cut a number of positions in order to balance the budget for fiscal year 2020. The forecast is for more cuts for FY 2021 unless the Town does something to increase the funding available for the school district.

The School Committee has recently revised the homework policy and will ultimately decide to change (or not) the schools start time. The details of the proposal were initially worked by a special advisory committee and are currently being worked by the Superintendent and the school district personnel with community involvement.

All seven positions of the school committee are up for election on November 5, 2019.

More information about the School Committee can be found on the Town of Franklin page:  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee

The School Committee section of the Franklin Annual Report for 2018
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/franklin-annual-report-2018-franklin.html


Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 5, 2019 in the "election collection"  
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/07/franklin-election-collection-2019.html


Franklin Election 2019: What does the School Committee do?
Franklin Election 2019: What does the School Committee do?
 

FSPA Summer Theater presents "Footloose" Aug 8-9

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts Summer Theater program will present an all-student production of Footloose on August 8 and 9 at 7:30 pm at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin.

When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn't prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town's youth that he cannot command in his own home. 

When the reverend's rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren's reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin' rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind. 

Footloose will feature musical theatre students in grades 8‐12. The younger Summer Theater students will present a musical revue based on Footloose on August 9 at 5:00 pm.

The Summer Theater program at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts is an immersive experience in the production of a fully staged musical at THE BLACK BOX. Students work with FSPA’s music, drama, and dance faculty for two weeks on staging, character development, choreography, and singing culminating in public performances of their shows at THE BLACK BOX.

For tickets and more information, visit www.FSPAonline.com or call (508) 528-8668. Follow Franklin School for the Performing Arts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. 

FSPA Summer Theater presents "Footloose" Aug 8-9
FSPA Summer Theater presents "Footloose" Aug 8-9

In the News: Recycling company expands; MA schools top rated again

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"A national recycling center that has a presence in Franklin has moved to a larger location to meet increased demand in people recycling their old working refrigerators and freezers.

In June, Arca Recycling Inc moved from its approximately 15,000-square-foot facility at 40 Kenwood Circle to an approximately 22,000-square-foot facility at 20 Liberty Way, according to Regional Transportation Director Stefan Marszalek.

Many residents in the state are taking advantage of Mass Save’s appliance recycling program, which provides monetary incentives for eligible individuals who recycle their functional refrigerator and freezer. Mass Save is funded by the state’s major energy utilities, including Cape Light Compact, Eversource, National Grid and Unitil.

On Monday, the company hosted an open house at the Franklin location to give representatives from those utility companies a first-hand look at what goes on inside the facility, which includes taking apart and recycling the appliances."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190806/new-franklin-quarters-for-refrigerator-recycling-company

Arca Recycling  https://www.arcarecyclinginc.com/
Arca Recycling Inc
Arca Recycling Inc


"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.

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."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190806/report-says-massachusetts-schools-are-best-again

Read the report online  https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-schools/5335/

the highest-ranked in both math and reading test scores
the highest-ranked in both math and reading test scores

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Franklin Candidate Interview Questions Being Formulated

For the candidate interviews, I have dusted off questions from prior elections to bring them up to date for this 2019 Election.

My draft choices are shown below:


General question for candidates:
  1. What experience or background will help you to serve in this role? Or what do you bring to the table that helps to set you apart from the others?
  2. What do you see as your role's biggest challenge?
  3. Do you have any suggestions on how we should resolve it?


Town Council / School Committee:
  1. Franklin is facing a budget deficit next year, what do think we should do to resolve the deficit?


Town Council:
  1. Social media channels from time to time are full of comments like ‘stop the building’, how do you address those?

Do you have a question to ask a candidate? Use the form to submit a question for consideration. 

I'll publish the final set of questions to asked.





Franklin Election 2019: What does the Town Council do?

The Town Council approves the budget and authorizes all spending. One exception is that the School Committee is responsible for managing the school budget after the Town Council approves the amount as part of the overall Town budget. Hence, you'll often hear of the town side and the school side as the two groups provide separate oversight for their area.

The Town Council hires and reviews the Town Administrator. The Town Administrator (Jamie Hellen) is responsible for the daily operations of the Town departments (except as noted for the schools).

The Town Council is the legislative body to approve changes to the bylaws. Usually there is some controversy when the Town Council 'forgets' their legislative role and attempts to intervene in the day to day operations.

There are nine members of the Town Council all elected 'at large' (they represent all the voters of Franklin as opposed to the individual precincts). The Council chooses their Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk in the first session after each election.

All nine positions are up for election on November 5, 2019. Each position has a two year term.

Additional information on the Council, their process and procedures, fiscal policies, meeting agendas, minutes and a host of other information can be found on the Town of Franklin webpage https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council

"Welcome to the webpage of the Franklin Town Council. By the Town Charter, the 9-member Town Council serves as the legislative body who sets policy for the community. The Council serves as the Local Licensing Authority for Alcoholic Beverages Licenses. The Council also has several subcommittees, including Budget, Capital Budget and Economic Development. The Council also has two liaisons, one to the S.A.F.E Coalition and for Communications.

The Franklin Town Council has established high standards for customer service for the Town staff. If you have a question, concern, or need assistance, please feel free to email us directly using the email forms below, or you can email all nine members of the Council by using that option to the left of this message."

The Annual Report of the Town Council for 2018 can be found
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/franklin-annual-report-2018-town-council.html


Franklin Election 2019: What does the Town Council do?
Franklin Election 2019: What does the Town Council do?

Pew Research Center: How random sampling is used in surveys

"Here at Pew Research Center, we are often asked about how we conduct our research. We work hard to make our methodologies transparent and understandable, but we also know that survey mode effects and data weighting aren’t on everyone’s short list of water-cooler conversation topics.

That’s why we’re launching Methods 101, a new occasional video series dedicated to explaining and educating the public about the basic methods we use to conduct our survey research. We hope this effort will make survey methods more accessible, even if you’re not a statistician or pollster. We also hope it will help give our audience the confidence to be savvy consumers of all polls.

Our first video is about random sampling, a concept that undergirds all probability-based survey research. The video explains what it means and why it’s important. We hope you’ll find it useful."
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/05/12/methods-101-random-sampling/

 https://youtu.be/sonXfzE1hvo




https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/05/12/methods-101-random-sampling/






"Funny part is, we played in these parking lots when we were kids"

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

"Former Red Sox catcher Rich Gedman, a Worcester native, was right at home. So was former Sox pitcher Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd.

The star battery of the 1986 American League pennant-winning Red Sox on Monday christened home plate, or rather, where home plate will be when the new Polar Park opens in 2021.

And they led a gaggle of children in an inaugural charge around what will be the base paths in Worcester’s new field of dreams.

The Sox legends joined the manager of the Pawtucket Red Sox and three current PawSox players as guests of honor in ceremonies at the site of the future home of the Boston Red Sox top minor-league club, at Gold and Washington streets just outside Kelley Square."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190805/home-plate-planted-at-polar-park-site-in-worcester

Catch the PawSox while they are still playing in McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket this year and next.  https://www.milb.com/pawtucket

"Funny part is, we played in these parking lots when we were kids"
"Funny part is, we played in these parking lots when we were kids"
 

Monday, August 5, 2019

Lifelong Community Learning: Fall 2019 Registration is Open!


Classes begin in early September, so be sure to sign up today!

In addition to recurring favorites, we are excited to add new courses including: cupcake decorating, ballroom dance, tai chi, and a holiday tour to the Newport Mansions.

We will also be partnering with the Franklin YMCA to offer CPR and first aid training, babysitting certification, and baby/toddler swim lessons.

The Fall 2019 Course Offerings
http://www.franklinlifelonglearning.com/Adult%20Ed/LCLBrochure-Aug-2019.pdf

Register online:
https://reg.abcsignup.com/view/cal7a.aspx?ek=&ref=&aa=&sid1=&sid2=&as=79&wp=407&tz=&ms=&nav=&cc=&cat1=&cat2=&cat3=&aid=FPSLLI&rf=




LIfelong Community Learning: Fall 2019 Registration is Open!
LIfelong Community Learning: Fall 2019 Registration is Open!

"It’s important to give everyone opportunities”

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides this article on the New England Revolution Unifed Sports program featuring Franklin High alum Farley Asmath.

"On the morning of July 31, hours before the Major League Soccer (MLS) all-stars took the pitch at Orlando’s Exploria Stadium to face Spanish power Atletico Madrid, MLS WORKS and the Special Olympics hosted another all-star game featuring some of the best soccer players from across the country.

The sixth annual Unified Sports All-Star Soccer Match pitted partners and athletes representing teams from the Eastern Conference against those from the West in an 11-on-11 match at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The New England Revolution were part of the festivities. Franklin High alum Farley Asmath was chosen to be the Revs Unified partner at the event, teaming up with athlete Preston Hall III.

Asmath, who earned HockomockSports.com Second XI honors in 2016 as a senior striker for the Panthers and who led the region in goals and points last fall at MassBay Community College, was thrilled at the honor of representing the Revs in Orlando.

“I’m just very thankful that they’ve noticed what I’ve been doing with the team…that I’m putting in the work at practice and things like that,” he explained. “I’m very thankful for that.” (Asmath and the Eastern Conference pulled out a 2-1 victory on Wednesday morning.)"

Continue reading the article online
https://hockomocksports.com/franklins-farley-asmath-represents-revs-at-all-star-game/

Franklin alum Farley Asmath (left) and Preston Hall represented the New England Revolution at the Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Soccer Match at the ESPN World Wide of Sports facilities. (New England Revolution)
Franklin alum Farley Asmath (left) and Preston Hall represented the New England Revolution at the Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Soccer Match at the ESPN World Wide of Sports facilities. (New England Revolution)

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

phone: 781-234-3336
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026


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Register O'Donnell Testifies in Support of Mortgage Transparency
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
the table of "Municipalities with the Highest Affordability Indices" shows
Franklin in the top 20 sitting in the 12th position

Sunday, August 4, 2019

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