Franklin Library: Avoiding Age Discrimination - Feb 18

Avoiding Age Discrimination: 

A Workbook for Baby Boomers

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 - 6:30 PM

People often worry about age discrimination when seeking new employment, spending an inordinate amount of time convincing themselves that they are no longer relevant in the workforce. We will address how job seekers can overcome age bias and turn their fears into selling points. This workshop is free and open to the public.

Shared from the Franklin Public Library page
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/events/248413

Franklin Library: Avoiding Age Discrimination - Feb 18

No delay in trash/recycle schedule this week

While this is not a delayed trash/recycling pickup week, here are a couple of friendly reminders:

• Please remember to keep carts three feet apart for collection to ensure that the truck has proper access and near the curb so the truck can access the cart. Recycling cannot be put into bags as the automated sorting process cannot open bags. Any bagged recycling will be processed as trash and is prohibited per town bylaw 151-7.

• Please be aware that putting trash (including any plastic bags) in your recycling cart may result in a fine of up to $100; any hazardous materials, televisions, air conditioners, etc. could result in a fine of up to $300.

 
Visit the Recycling and Solid Waste page for additional info
https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste

Download your copy of this one page reminder on recycling: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z97AooY4FoXA7kKJlMg9p9zMd9FD6fFx/view?usp=sharing

No delay in trash/recycle schedule this week

FM #206 - SAFE Coalition open house and dedication - Feb 13, 2020 (audio)

FM #206

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 206 in the series. We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

The SAFE Coalition open house and dedication ceremony was held on Thursday, February 13, 2020. They opened their new offices at 206 Dedham St. nearby in Norfolk. 

They have office space for conversations with individuals or with small groups. They have the “In Plain Sight” display set up in its own room, rather than moving it around, as they have for several years. They have a good size meeting room to hold their workshops and seminars.

After 5 years of working virtually, it is good to have a place to call home.

Here is the audio recording of the dedication and remarks. The order of speakers: Jim Derick, Jennifer Knight-Levine, Rep Jeff Roy, and District Attorney Mike Morrissey. Brian and Robin Hamlin also spoke eloquently about addiction and recovery. The space is dedicated to their son Brian Jr.

The show notes include links to the SAFE Coalition web page, map of the new office location, the Milford Daily News article on the opening and my photos of the event.

Without further ado, let’s listen to the dedication audio, approx. 50 minutes

https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H1Fy41HX





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For more about the SAFE Coalition, you can visit their page https://www.safecoalitionma.org/

Visit them at their new offices https://goo.gl/maps/9qjKCQ71j9jzZTTv6

Download their booklet “WHAT DO WE DO NOW?: Navigating The Substance Abuse System in Massachusetts” https://aff73139-bf6f-45ce-ad67-a9200941a860.filesusr.com/ugd/bb33cc_9824791cc5894ef8b7575e776b56567a.pdf

Milford Daily News article on the opening
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/heres-key-its-really-really-hard-to-do.html

Photos of the new space taken Feb 13, 2020
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157713112566193/

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This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #206 - SAFE Coalition open house and dedication - Feb 13, 2020 (audio)

2020 Presidents' Day Group Walk on the SNETT

The Franklin-Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) write:

"Please join us for our monthly group walk on February 17 (Presidents’ Day) at 10 AM. 

We will meet in the parking lot at the Grove Street trailhead in Franklin. All are welcome, including well behaved, leashed dogs."

Follow the Facebook event post by FBRTC
https://www.facebook.com/events/3344296688930355/
 

Wear good shoes, the trail is likely to be icy near the 'sunken' portion

It is not really 'sunken' as anyone knows who walks a rail trail. They are as flat as can be. Trains did not like to do steep elevations. Long and gradual inclines or declines are all you'll find on rail trails. The 'sunken' section (as I refer to it) is where the trail was cut through a rise. The walls on both side rise 30-40 feet and there is a natural gathering of water along the trail. Given the temp, it is likely frozen and with care can be traversed without problem. There are well worn paths on both sides as well that are much dryer than the center part of the trail.

FHS boys hockey team tops Mansfield 3-0

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the FHS winter sports action on Sunday


Boys Hockey = Franklin, 3 @ Mansfield, 0 – Final
"Franklin took control of the game from the opening face-off, scoring a goal in each period to end a two-game losing streak. The Panthers outshot the Hornets 39-13 for the game, recording 13 shots in each period, and Mansfield struggled with its second game in 24 hours. 

Conor O’Neil opened the scoring with 2:21 left in the first when he was able to knock in the rebound of a Justin Abely shot from the point. JT Dwyer doubled the lead on the power play three minutes into the second. He corralled a loose puck at the far post and roofed a shot to make 2-0. 

In the third, Tom Tasker scored shorthanded to wrap up the win, picking the top corner from the right circle. Sean McCafferty was excellent in goal for the Hornets with 36 saves. Ray Ivers made all 13 stops to earn the shutout, including a big stop on a Kyle Oakley breakaway in the third period with Franklin leading by two."

For a Photo Gallery from the game:
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Mansfield-Franklin-Boys-Hockey-2-16-20/

For other results around the Hockomock League:
https://hockomocksports.com/sundays-schedule-scoreboard-02-16-20/

FHS Tom Tasker with puck on his stick (HockomockSports.com photo)

Register O’Donnell Reports on January 2020 Norfolk County Real Estate Activity

A strong local economy and continuing low interest rates have resulted in a robust January Norfolk County real estate market, according to Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell.

Register O’Donnell stated, “During the month of January, real estate sales, for both residential and commercial property, rose by 11% from the previous year. A total of 1,261 property transactions were recorded versus 1,141 in January 2019. This increase was all the more impressive when one considers the continuing challenges facing the real estate market due to limited amount of inventory for sale.”

According to January statistics, the average combined sale price of residential and commercial property for the month was $900,864, a 36% increase year over year. In addition, total dollar sales volume, again for both residential and commercial properties, was $636 million, a 47% increase from January of 2019. “These numbers,” noted Register O’Donnell, “were impacted by a $50 million commercial sale recorded during the month in Brookline.”

Norfolk County lending numbers, again fueled by low interest rates, showed a large increase during the month of January. The Register noted, “The number of mortgages recorded during the month increased by 64%. Also, the total volume of mortgage financing, for both residential and commercial properties, came in at $1.2 billion, a 98% increase year over year. There can be no doubt consumers and businesses both are continuing to take advantage of low interest rates.”

However, a definite concern was in the area of foreclosure activity. “During January,” noted the Register, “there were 15 foreclosure deeds filed compared to 12 during the same time period in 2019. Also, there was a 36% increase in the number of Notice to Foreclose Mortgage filings, the first step in the foreclosure process.”

“The foreclosure numbers seen in January are a stark reminder that while the local economy remains strong, some of our neighbors are having trouble paying their mortgage. I want to remind Norfolk County residents that my office continues to partner with the Quincy Community Action Programs, 617-479-8181 x376, and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, 508-587-0950. These organizations can help homeowners who have received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage document. A third option is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400.”

On the consumer front, the number of Homestead recordings also increased during January. A total of 842 Homesteads were filed compared to 757 in January 2019. O’Donnell noted, “A Homestead provides limited protection against the forced sale of an individual’s primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. I urge homeowners to review the possibility of taking advantage of the Homestead law.”

Register O’Donnell concluded, “The data we have seen for Norfolk County is reinforced by what we are hearing from both real estate agents and mortgage loan officers. The low real estate inventory has led to bidding wars, where in some cases, properties are being sold above the original asking price. It is the industry’s belief that average real estate sales price should remain high until there is a substantial increase in inventory, something we do not see happening in the near future.”

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street 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. It is also the repository of over 8.5 million land records. 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 O’Donnell Reports on January 2020 Norfolk County Real Estate Activity

School Committee Feb 11, 2020 meeting recap

After the FHS student updates, Superintendent Ahern provided her info
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/superintendents_report_to_school_committee_february_11_2020.pdf

Several 5th Graders from Jefferson Elementary coordinate to talk about their mural project. The presentation doc is shared here.

Technology Director Tim Raposa coordinates and manages the technology delivery for all of the Town of Franklin including the schools. Of all the updates I have seen on technology, this is the most comprehensive (and also with up to date info). You can review the presentation deck below. As this is one of the key enablers for the Town of Franklin, I will share the audio for this segment separately. It is definitively "shareworthy"

Asst Superintendent Lucas Giguere started the SEL update with a reflective breathe exercise which was timely and well worth it. There should be more of these moments in meetings. 

Asst Superintendent Lucas Giguere started the SEL update with a reflective breathe exercise

The Jefferson 5th Grade Mural Project:

5th Grade Mural Project - Jefferson Elementary - 2/11/2020 from Franklin Matters

The Technology update:

Technology Presentation - 2/11/2020 from Franklin Matters

The Social Emotional Learning update:

Social Emotional Learning - update 2/11/2020 from Franklin Matters

The Actions Taken for this meeting was published Weds AM
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/news/school-committee-actions-taken-2112020
 
For more details you can review my notes captured live during the meeting Tuesday.

• Live reporting: Consent Agenda - Closing

 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-consent-agenda-closing.html

• Live reporting: Discussion Action Items - Information Matters

 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-discussion-action-items.html

• Live reporting: District Improvement Plan - Update

 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-district-improvement.html

• Live reporting: School Committee - Feb 11, 2020

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-school-committee-feb-11.html

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Feb 11, 2020
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-feb.html