Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry's Social Media

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry's Social Media Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today restated the importance he places on the Registry's use of social media platforms to communicate directly with the citizens of Norfolk County. "At the Registry of Deeds," noted O'Donnell, "we put a lot of emphasis on communicating with Registry users on a 24/7 basis. Just because our doors close at the end of the business day doesn't mean the Registry has to stop working for you. For example, our website www.norfolkdeeds.org lets people view scanned images of over 8 million land documents dating back to 1793, as well as learning about our latest consumer protection programs. I also want people to know that Registry information is available not just from using their workstation or laptops, but also from their smartphones or tablets." The Register further noted that you can print out an application of the popular Homestead Act. A Homestead provides a homeowner with limited protection against the forced sale of their primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. Norfolk County residents can also sign-up on-line for its free Consumer Notification Service. This program will alert a person anytime a land document has been recorded against their name in Norfolk County. Additionally, there is valuable county real estate information that can be researched and tracked based on the monthly and quarterly real estate statistical reports, such as the number of residential and commercial properties sold, and the average prices of property sold. Besides the Registry website, other forms of social media utilized by the Registry of Deeds include Facebook, facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds, Twitter, twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds, and Instagram. "The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds," noted the Register, "has utilized Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to provide information to the general public. By utilizing these platforms, Norfolk County residents can learn more about home ownership and other consumer initiatives like protecting themselves against Deed Scam rip-offs, along with other outreach services, including learning about Registry office hours in their local community." The Registry has also filmed multiple public service announcements (PSA's) which are available on the Registry's website and YouTube. These PSA's have touched on a variety of issues such as assistance for residents who have received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lender. Videos highlighting the Registry's various philanthropic initiatives, such as its Annual Holiday Food Drive, Toys for Tots campaign, and its Suits for Success program, which helps people who are attempting to re-enter the workforce, can also be viewed. Concluding, Register O'Donnell stated, "My office recognizes the value of using social media platforms to forward important information to Norfolk County residents. If you have questions related to real property, I urge you to take a look at our social media offerings." 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 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry's Social Media

Franklin Public Library: January 2020 News & Events for Adults

Franklin Library January 2020 News & Events

Library Hours

The Franklin Public Library will be closed on Wednesday, January 1 for New Year's Day, and Sunday, January 19, and Monday, January 20 for Martin Luther King Day . The Library's regular hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 1:30-5:00 p.m.

News & Events

Happy ReNew Year!

Your checkouts will now automatically renew! After January 1st, checkouts that are eligible for renewal will renew automatically two days before the item is due.
Items will not renew if there is a hold for another person, the item does not allow for renewals, maximum renewals are used up, or if your library card is blocked.
A "Due Date Reminder" email will tell you if your items renewed. Check your account anytime with the Minuteman Library Network app or at www.minlib.net .

Libby Ebook & Audiobook News

Push notifications are now live in Libby! Choose which notifications you'd like to receive from the Libby menu under Manage Notifications, including:

• When a hold becomes available
• When a loan is about to expire
• When a loan has expired

And more!
Coming in early 2020, hold suspension and hold redelivery! Suspending a hold will let you pause your hold without losing your place on the waiting list. Hold redelivery will allow you to suspend a hold after it becomes available. This feature, which will replace auto-checkout, will give you more control over your holds and help keep wait lists moving more efficiently.

Displays

Members of the Franklin community are invited to use the two display cases in the Reading Gallery on the second floor of the Library. If you are interested in displaying collections, art, or artifacts in the cases, please review the Town's guidelines and submit an application here https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/art-exhibit-and... .

Programs for Adults

 Author Talk with David Farrow, Sunday, January 5, 3:00 p.m.
David Farrow is the author of "The Neverglades: Volume One," a collection of short stories that has gained a cult following on sites like Reddit and YouTube. He graduated from Trinity College in Hartford with a degree in English and is now an active member of the GrubStreet literary community in Boston, MA. Today he lives in Franklin, where he is hard at work on his next writing project.

Foreign Film Night, Tuesday, January 7, 6:30 p.m.
La Strada (1956). Italian
There has never been a face quite like that of Giulietta Masina. Her husband, the legendary Federico Fellini, directs her as Gelsomina in LA STRADA, the film that launched them both to international stardom.
Gelsomina is sold by her mother into the employ of Zampano (Anthony Quinn), a brutal strongman in a traveling circus. When Zampano encounters an old rival in highwire artist the Fool (Richard Basehart), his fury is provoked to its breaking point. With LA STRADA, Fellini left behind the familiar signposts of Italian neorealism for a poetic fable of love and cruelty, evoking brilliant performances and winning the hearts of audiences and critics worldwide.
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film in 1956.

Get Organized in 2020, Wednesday, January 8, 6:30 p.m.
Jenna Elliott is the founder of The Naked Flower, Professional Organizers.  She has been an organizer and re-designer for 16 years and works with a variety of clients, both in the office and in the home.  Prior to starting The Naked Flower Jenna was a master floral designer and project manager for a fortune 500 company.  This fun and interactive workshop will get you focused on your organizing goals.  She will share tips on new ways to think about your stuff, create better habits to help you tackle the clutter utilizing your calendar and to-do list more effectively, where to start the purging process, and organizational Resources. This program is free and open to the public.

Cookbook Club, Saturday, January 11, 3:00 p.m.
The first selection for our new Cookbook Club is The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, by Ina Garten. Stop by the Circulation Desk on the first floor or contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala at 508-520-4941 or kshipala@minlib.net to choose a recipe. Bring your prepared dish to the meeting to share and give your thoughts on the recipe. All are welcome to attend

Documentary Film Night, Tuesday, January 14, 6:30 p.m.
Digital Disconnect (2018).
In this era of Facebook privacy breaches, "fake news" and filter bubbles, the essential film DIGITAL DISCONNECT trains its sights on the relationship between the internet and democracy. Tracing the internet's history as a publicly funded government project in the 1960s to its full-scale commercialization today, the film traces how the revolutionary, democratizing potential of the internet has been radically compromised by the growing and unaccountable power of a handful of telecom and tech monopolies.
Based on the acclaimed book by media scholar Robert McChesney, DIGITAL DISCONNECT examines the ongoing attack on net neutrality and the concept of an open internet by telecom monopolies like Comcast and Verizon; explores how internet giants like Facebook and Google have amassed huge profits by surreptitiously collecting our personal data and selling it to advertisers; and shows how these tech and telecom monopolies have routinely colluded with the national security state to advance covert mass surveillance programs.

Online Job Search and Resume Submittal Workshop, Tuesday, January 21, 6:30 p.m.
Senior Employment Specialist Gary Gekow will analyze and discuss numerous online search strategies including job alerts, job boards, job aggregators, and company employment pages. We will then discuss how to best utilize these web sites for submitting one's resume. This program is free and open to the public.

Art in Bloom, Saturday, January 25, 2:00 p.m.
It may be the middle of winter outside, but step into the Franklin Public Library in January for a Spring-time feel during our Art in Bloom event!
Art in Bloom seeks to 'interpret" art with a flower arrangement and the art to be interpreted will be Kira Seamon's popular photography. She took an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime trip to Peru and we will interpret some of these fascinating vibrant photos with flowers. Kira also is known for her kaleidoscopic photography which looks like beautiful abstract art. She rounds off the display with her traditional photography of popular subjects such as landscapes and sunsets.
We are featuring a special hands-on floral arranging workshop on Saturday Jan 25th, where patrons can try their hand at interpreting Kira's art! We will have a veritable buffet of flowers to choose from, impressing everyone with both quantity and quality of blooms. Kira provides the art, scissors, flowers and vases and we will create beautiful arrangements that will be displayed around the library for a week afterwards, allowing many more patrons to enjoy a bit of Springtime!
SPACE IS LIMITED! RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! To register, please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala at 508-520-4941 or kshipala@minlib.net .

Acrylic Pour Workshop, Sunday, January 26, 3:00 p.m.
Look at art differently and learn a meditative fluid painting technique with Artist Jacqueline Volpe! Participants will apply paint, in the style of the abstract expressionists of the New York School, to convey a greater importance on visual sensation rather than the representation of objects and explore, like they did, "going with the flow".
Paint without brushes to create a unique and spontaneous abstract painting! Participants will pour on canvas and various other materials to take home. We will cover various pouring techniques and tips for "after the pour". All materials and equipment will be provided. The workshop is for adult and young adult beginner to advanced artists. This program is limited to fifteen participants. To register, please visit  https://www.thecreativitycurator.com/mixed-media-art-journal-workshops-s... or call Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala at 508-520-4941.

Technology Help, Saturday, January 11, 10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.
Staff from Nerds To Go Computer Service will be available to assist patrons with common technology issues such as email access, password reset/recovery, cell phone feature usage, getting onto public Wi-Fi, and accessing information on line. This service is free and is on a first come, first serve basis.

Franklin Public Library Book Club, Tuesday, January 28, 7:00 p.m.
The book for discussion is Becoming, by Michelle Obama. A limited number of copies of the book will be available for checkout at the Circulation Desk. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala at kshipala@minlib.net .

Library Tech Time, Thursdays, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Need help downloading ebooks to your Kindle? Trouble downloading the Libby or Minuteman apps? Curious about hoopla, Kanopy, or the many databases available to Franklin residents? Stop by or make an appointment during Tech Time now available on Thursdays 2:00-3:00 p.m. Can't make that time? Don't worry, technology assistance is always available at the Reference Desk. Please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala or Reference Librarian Vicki Earls for more information.

Proctoring Services
The Franklin Public Library will now be offering proctoring services to its patrons. Proctoring will be free of charge, and by appointment only. Contact Library Director Felicia Oti or Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala for more information. 

Knitting Group, Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Love to knit or crochet? Join our group of local fiber artists who will be meeting in the Friends of the Franklin Community Room on Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, January 17, 1:00-5:00 p.m.  Saturday, January 18, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, January 18, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

Franklin Public Library: January 2020 News & Events for Adults

FHS wrestling: Sackley places 2nd, Carlucci places 7th, and Sauer places 8th at G Bossi Lowell

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Saturday.

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 0 @ Mount St. Charles, 2 – Final
– Franklin goalie Ray Ivers made 28 saves to keep the Panthers in the contest, which was a one-goal game until the final minute until Mount St. Charles tacked on an empty net goal with 18.6 seconds left. Franklin will take on Fairfield Prep out of Connecticut on Sunday at 4:00.

After a great up and own first period @FHS_Puck 0 @Mountboyshockey 0 @MSCHldyFaceOff

— FHSPantherHockey (@FHSPantherHocke) December 29, 2019

After 2 periods @Mountboyshockey 1@FHS_Puck 0
Shots on goal
Mount 20
FHS 14

— FHSPantherHockey (@FHSPantherHocke) December 29, 2019

Final score @Mountboyshockey 2 @FHS_Puck 0 @MSCHldyFaceOff @PanthersJvPuck @HNIBonline @In_The_Slot @MetroWestSports @FHSSports @FranklinRec

— FHSPantherHockey (@FHSPantherHocke) December 29, 2019

Next up for Varsity will be at 4pm Sunday against Fairfield Prep at Mt St Charles arena! @PanthersJvPuck @FHS_Puck @FHSSports @In_The_Slot @HNIBonline @MetroWestSports @FranklinRec @MSCHldyFaceOff

— FHSPantherHockey (@FHSPantherHocke) December 29, 2019

Wrestling
Lowell Tournament (Canton, Franklin, Stoughton, Taunton), 9:00

George Bossi Lowell Holiday
https://www.flowrestling.org/events/6571231-2019-george-bossi-lowell-holiday-tournament

Final Results: Sackley places 2nd, Carlucci places 7th, and Sauer places 8th. Great wrestling by everyone throughout.

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) December 28, 2019

https://twitter.com/FHSPantherHocke/status/1211093923302662144

Other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-12-28-19/

And via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports

"focus on engaging students in conversations about how unchecked hate can proliferate"

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

Massachusetts recorded the fourth-highest number of anti-Semitic incidents of any state in 2018, according to the Anti-Defamation League’s Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, prompting lawmakers to propose that all schools teach students about the Holocaust and other genocides.

Jewish students throughout the commonwealth have repeatedly encountered anti-Semitic slurs, been told their families should have died in the Holocaust and discovered swastikas scrawled on the bathroom walls of their schools, the ADL reports.

In just the last two months, a middle school student in Great Barrington threatened Jewish students with an alleged kill list and two students at Framingham’s Christa McAuliffe Charter School circulated a “Kill the Jews” Snapchat group.

Recognizing schools as hotbeds for anti-Semitism, state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, and Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues, D-Westport, filed the Genocide Education Act, which would require every school district to adopt genocide curriculum that addresses “the notion that national, ethnic, racial or religious hatred can overtake any nation or society, leading to calamitous consequences.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191228/local-anti-semitism-spike-prompts-push-for-state-genocide-education-mandate

Senator Rodrigues' bill https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S327
Representative Roy's bill   https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H566

FHS boys basketball, gymnastics, and boys hockey teams all post wins on Friday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Friday.

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 68 vs. Charlestown, 59 – Final
– Franklin used a 14-6 run over the final 3:34 of the third quarter to create a double-digit lead and made enough plays down the stretch to earn the win in the first round of the Larry Fisher Holiday Tournament held at Bridgewater-Raynham. Senior Steven Karayan scored eight of his team-high 18 points during that run, hitting a pair of three-pointers. Senior Brayden Sullivan also drained a pair of threes in that stretch, finishing with a career-high 11 points. Senior Chris Edgehill helped the Panthers take a lead after one quarter (21-14) and kept his side in the game by halftime (down 36-35) by scoring 14 of his 16 points in the first half. Jack Rudolph (nine points) had a key three in the fourth quarter and Thomas Gasbarro scored five of his seven points in the final frame. Franklin will play host B-R in the final of the tournament on Sunday at 7:00.

– for a photo gallery of this game:
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Franklin-Charlestown-Boys-Basketball-12-27-19/

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 3 vs. LaSalle Academy (PA), 2 – Final (OT)
– Franklin junior Joey LeBlanc deposited the game-winner in overtime to help the Panthers upend LaSalla Academy. For MIAA purposes, the game goes down as a 2-2 tie but for the Mount St. Charles Holiday Faceoff, the game went into overtime. LeBlanc’s winner means Franklin will take on host Mount Saint Charles at 8:00 on Saturday night. Franklin took the lead in the first on a goal from Shea Hurley on an assist from Dylan Marchand but LaSalle scored twice in the second to take the lead. Tommy Tasker brought the Panthers level on a goal midway through the third on an assist from Sean Connolly.

Girls Gymnastics = Franklin, 132.7 @ Taunton, 128.65 – Final 
– Sophomores Kate Rudolph (34.2) and Caroline Woelfel (32.25) took first and second, respectively, in the All Around as the Panthers picked up a win over Taunton. Rudolph was first for Franklin in the vault, bars, and floor while Lexi Lupien earned a first place finish in the beam. Woelfel took second in both the vault and floor while taking third in the bars.

Results: Vault – Kate Rudolph 9.0, Caroline Woelfel 8.75, Maddie McGuire 8.65, Lexi Lupien 8.4; Bars – K. Rudolph 8.3, Emma Nelson 8.1, C. Woelfel 7.3, M. McGuire 7.1; Beam – L. Lupien 8.5, E. Nelson 8.4, Olivia Reagan 8.2, K. Rudolph 8.1; Floor – K. Rudolph 8.8, C. Woelfel 8.6, L. Lupien 8.3, E. Nelson 8.2.


Wrestling = Lowell Tournament (Canton, Franklin, Stoughton, Taunton), 9:00

Sackley advances in the championship bracket. DiFilippo, Carlucci, Fracasa, Sauer, and Nawn drop to the consis.

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) December 28, 2019

Cogavin, Jacoby, and Leofanti are still alive in the consis. Jawando and Walker drop out of the tournament.

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) December 28, 2019

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-12-27-19/

And via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports

Congrats to all the strong performances at Holiday today! Shoutout to Nick Calitri for placing 3rd in the 1000!

— FHS Boys XC+TF (@FHSPanthersTF) December 28, 2019

Grit and determination is what gets you there. The second you give up or allow yourself to doubt is the exact moment you miss out on what could have been. Tough win tonight but you never gave up!! Proud!! @FHSSports @FHSPantherbook @MetroWestSports @milforddaily @HockomockSports pic.twitter.com/tryulhi1Ic

— FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) December 28, 2019

The Panther Track and Field Team competed at the Boston Holiday Challenge held at the Reggie Lewis Center. The Franklin Girls had several outstanding performances led by junior Lindsey Morse, 3rd in the High Jump. Senior Sabrina Addi finished in the top ten.

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) December 28, 2019

FHS Senior Brayden Sullivan

Commuter Rail notice: Include the MBTA in your New Year's Eve plans

On New Year's Eve, the Commuter Rail will run on a regular weekday schedule with some changes to last train departure times due to the fireworks.

All MBTA service, including the Commuter Rail, will be free after 8 PM on New Year's Eve.

Bikes, including folding bikes, are not allowed on all inbound trains between 10 am and 6 PM and on all outbound trains from 4 PM until the end of service.

For additional information visit mbta.com/holidays.

Last Updated: Dec 27 2019 02:30 PM 

What is the Franklin Line schedule?  https://mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable

Commuter Rail notice: Include the MBTA in your New Year's Eve plans

"Promote participation of eligible voters in elections"

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

"In Massachusetts, automatic voter registration begins Jan. 1 as directed by legislation that state lawmakers passed and Gov. Charlie Baker signed in 2018. 

When Baker signed the election-reform bill two summers ago, Massachusetts became the 14th state, plus Washington, D.C., to adopt an automatic-voter registration system. 

Now, beginning immediately in the new year, the state registers eligible citizens to vote when they interact with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, MassHealth and Health Connector – unless they opt out. The system will be in place ahead of the presidential primaries in March, according to Secretary of State William F. Galvin."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191227/in-massachusetts-automatic-voter-registration-begins-jan-1

For more on the MA Legislation
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/mass-general-laws-c51-ss-65

For more about Franklin voting, visit the Town Clerk page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Dec 27 to THU - Jan 2

Friday, December 27

10:00am

 Knitting Group

10:30am

 Performer: Sound Explorers!

1:30pm

 Storytime S.T.E.A.M.

7:00pm

 Community Outdoor Menorah Lighting and Shabbat Service

Saturday, December 28

10:00am

 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)

10:30am

 Sing to Your Baby with Julie Stepanek (FOFL)

1:00pm

 Girls Who Code Holiday Party

1:00pm

 Box City!

Sunday, December 29

1:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

3:00pm

 Whalemobile!

Monday, December 30

10:30am

 Move Along

1:00pm

 Stop-Motion Legos with Fungineers!

3:30pm

 D&D for Kids

Tuesday, December 31

New Year's Eve

9:30am

 Cool Cruisers

11:00am

 Noon Year's Eve Party!

2:00pm

 Library Closing

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

 Library Closed

 New Year's Day

Thursday, January 2, 2020

9:30am

 Baby Tummy Time

4:00pm

 Chess Club for Kids

4:00pm

 Bookworm Bounce Storytime!

5:45pm

 FAA Booster Mtg

6:00pm

 Volunteens

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 - Dec 27 to THU - Jan  2

In the News: map at the Library restored; growing alarm over salt used for treating ice

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

"Sometimes, it takes a map to locate historical treasures -- the proverbial “x” marks the spot on a faded document, in ink turned brown. 

But at the Franklin library, it is a map that is actually the treasure: An age-stained, 26″ x 20 3/8″ document that provides a view of the town’s layout when Henry Clay sat in the oval office -- about to be defeated by Andrew Jackson -- and Princess Victoria was still five years shy of ascending the throne of Great Britain. 

Recently, a custom-framed reproduction of the map was put up for display in the hallway by the circulation desk on the first floor of the library, so it could be shared with the public. The original, restored through the efforts of the Friends of the Franklin Library, is carefully stored in the library’s new climate-controlled archives room. 

“It was found rolled up in a drawer, as I’m told, during packing up for the renovations,” said Phil Sweeney, president of the Friends board, referring to the renovation and expansion project completed in 2017."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20191224/early-map-of-franklin-preserved-replica-hung-in-library

In the News: map at the Library restored;

"Each year, Americans spread more than 48 billion pounds of salt on roadways to ward off the effects of winter weather. But it comes at a cost: De-icing salt degrades roads and bridges, contaminates drinking water and harms the environment, according to a slate of scientists expressing growing alarm. 

“The issue of road salt has been out in front of us for decades but has received very little attention until the past five years,” said Rick Relyea, a biological scientist at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute near Albany, New York. “Then we see, my goodness, it is everywhere, and it is a growing problem.” 

It’s a problem that’s growing exponentially. 

The country used about 164,000 tons of road salt in 1940, U.S. Geological Survey data shows. It broke one million tons in 1954, 10 million in 1985, and now averages more than 24 million tons a year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191226/scientists-alarmed-by-massive-amounts-of-road-salt-used-in-northeast

Lifelong Community Learning: 2020 Winter / Spring Registration Open

Registration is open for winter/spring classes at Lifelong Community Learning. Classes begin in January and continue through the spring months.

Participation is open to individuals, organizations, and businesses alike in Franklin and the surrounding region towns. Classes include everything from arts and crafts to child care education and various food and wine offerings. 

February and April vacations will include babysitting certification classes held in partnership with the Hockomock Area YMCA in Franklin. For children, the Kids’ Corner programs include cooking, language, coding with JavaScript, family paint night, and so much more!

This spring, participants will also find as many exercise and sports programs as ever, including yoga, Zumba, and community walking. Badminton is back along with men’s basketball and coed volleyball classes rounding out the field.

Looking ahead to late spring, Enhancing Your Economic Security, a special one-night expert panel discussion will take place on May 7. This is a free event BUT registration is required.

For more information, go to www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com and click on Lifelong Community Learning. Or call Lifelong Community Learning at 508-613-1480.

ABOUT US: Lifelong Community Learning is a program of the Franklin Public Schools Lifelong Learning Institute, dedicated to providing diverse and enriched education and experiences for all area residents and children – a resource for all ages.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczV2R1V1E3LW5IRDJHTXJwamFXS3hnSVBtQ2hz/view?usp=sharing

Lifelong Community Learning: 2020 Winter / Spring Registration Open

"Community Arts will be adding another layer"

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

"You won’t need 20/20 vision to see the artistry of Franklin next year when the town launches its first visual art installation project, painting its town buildings with collaborative art pieces created by residents of all ages. 

The end product – which will be a surprise up until it’s mounted – will reflect the culture and character of Franklin, said Anne Marie Tracey, Marketing and Communications Specialist at Franklin Public Schools (FHS) and the town of Franklin. 

Late last week, the town of Franklin announced the project – called Franklin Community Arts – with the goal to permanently display at least five pieces of collaborative artwork around in town buildings, like the Town Hall, library, and the Senior Center, said Tracey. Each two-dimensional painting or mixed-media piece will involve 32 to 40 participants, and once combined, mounted and framed, the final image will result in a large-scale visual piece with the subject matter relating to Franklin and/or its artists. 

Each project will require two workshops to complete, said Tracey. The first workshops are scheduled in January and will be geared towards children ages 10-14. The workshops are free and are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Another set of workshops will be scheduled for late February/early March and will involve a different age group of artists working on another collaborative piece for display in a different location, she said, the trend continuing with each piece."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191225/visual-arts-installation-project-coming-next-year-to-franklin

https://franklinrecreation.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs

Step by step process for the website navigation:

Step by step process for the website navigation

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/franklin-community-arts-project

Franklin Downtown Partnership 2020 Calendar of events

Time to set some events on the calendar as we get closer to 2020. Here is the Franklin Downtown Partnership listing of the major events (Strawberry Stroll, Harvest Festival) and minor events (general meetings, networking breakfasts, etc.) to put on your planning calendar.

Residents can join the Partnership for only $25/year, students and senior citizens for only $15/year. For more about the Downtown Partnership, visit their web page  https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Franklin Downtown Partnership 2020 Calendar of events

Disclosure: I am proud to be a member of the Downtown Partnership since 2010

“We need a commitment to start it"

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

"State Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, sits in his office gesturing at a table with maps of high-speed rail in Massachusetts. In 2014, the former Obama White House staffer came home and ran for state Senate – his pitch to voters included plans for an ambitious infrastructure project. 

Five years later, he has large printouts of the final six options the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has come up with. 

A feasibility study – which failed to pass the House in 2015, was vetoed in 2016, and didn’t pass again in 2017 – is finally expected to be completed next spring. Lesser wants to create an economic corridor that will equalize quality of life and housing across the state and take cars off the road, despite roadblocks such as building through mountains. 

“The technology is not the issue, the logistics are not the issue, the issue is building the political will,” he said. “For us in western Massachusetts that’s always been the challenge because we have a relatively small share of the state’s population so getting attention and investment and focus on western Mass. projects has always been a challenge.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191225/how-will-high-speed-rail-service-get-from-pittsfield-to-boston

More from MA DOT on the high-speed rail study
https://www.mass.gov/east-west-passenger-rail-study

MassDOT is conducting a study to examine the costs, benefits, and investments necessary to implement passenger rail service from Boston to Springfield and Pittsfield

Merry Christmas

Amid the darkness of winter, there is more light each day. I hope you are all able to spend some quality time with family and friends.

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Merry Christmas

Trash delayed one day this week for those scheduled for Wed-Thu-Fri

Christmas falls on Wednesday so those with trash/recycle pick up (like at my house) get delayed one day along with those scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

Trash delayed one day this week for those scheduled for Wed-Thu-Fri (Franklin DPW Facebook photo)