Monday, March 14, 2022

Franklin Senior Golf League has some openings for this season

"The Franklin Senior Golf League still has a few openings for the 2022 season. Having lost our former home course Bungay Brook G.C., this year we will be playing at Heather Hills C.C. in Plainville

We meet on Tuesday mornings with tee times beginning around 9:00. The season will begin in mid-April and continue to the end of September. 

If you would like further details, please email me at acough2001@yahoo.com." 

Alan Coughlin
Franklin, MA 02038

https://www.heatherhillcountryclub.com/
https://www.heatherhillcountryclub.com/

Take a Group walk on the SNETT Friday - Mar 18 at 9 AM

Please join us for our monthly group walk on the SNETT.  This month we will be walking on Friday, March  18 at 9 AM starting at the Center St trailhead in Bellingham. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Meet in the parking lot, wear good boots, we may encounter some muddy spots.
Please watch this post and our social media for further announcements should the date, time or location change due to weather or trail conditions.
Take a Group walk on the SNETT Friday - Mar 18 at 9 AM
Take a Group walk on the SNETT Friday - Mar 18 at 9 AM

"traditional mixed use walkable neighborhoods dramatically outperform car centric suburbia"

Jonathan Berk (@berkie1) tweeted  Sat, Mar 12, 2022:
Suburbia is Subsidized: Here's the Math

"In every case, in every region @UrbanThree has analyzed, traditional mixed use walkable neighborhoods dramatically outperform car centric suburbia."

🎥 @notjustbikes
https://t.co/zrM27tEcGB

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/WCYVMDTl1w

If you haven't completed the survey on Franklin For All, please do so ->    https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/preview/SV_1SW9jOR99Rzvevk?Q_CHL=preview&Q_SurveyVersionID=current


FHS Cheerleaders bring home D1 Championship; Indoor track runners compete at National meet






FHS Cheerleaders first in D1
FHS Cheerleaders first in D1

MMA: "Building climate resiliency into municipal properties"

"Recent reports indicate that climate change is warming the Northeast faster than most other regions in the Northern Hemisphere, and research released by UMass Amherst notes that the Northeast has heated by 3.6 degrees over the past century due in part to the increasing temperature of the Atlantic Ocean. 
This warming is already having an enormous impact in the region. According to the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit for the Northeast, among other resources, climate change impacts here include extreme precipitation events (both rain and snow), sea level rise, coastal and river flooding, and severe weather such as high wind events and heat waves, all of which are challenging our environmental, social and economic systems. 
Flooding, both coastal and inland, is a major concern. Most Massachusetts counties can expect a 10% to 20% increase in flooding between 2020 and 2050, with an average annual loss increase of more than $5 million over the same period, according to a Jan. 31 article in the journal Nature Climate Change."

Continue reading this MMA article online -> https://www.mma.org/building-climate-resiliency-into-municipal-properties/

Other articles referenced:

Climate-friendly green roofs, like this one at Chicago’s City Hall, can reduce building cooling costs while also absorbing rainfall. (Photo courtesy National Park Service and city of Chicago)
Climate-friendly green roofs, like this one at Chicago’s City Hall, can reduce building cooling costs while also absorbing rainfall. (Photo courtesy National Park Service and city of Chicago)

Register O’Donnell Discloses the Most Expensive Real Estate Sales in Norfolk County in 2021

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell reported that in 2021, seventeen properties, all commercial, sold for more than $50,000,000.

The top ten, most expensive properties were:

 

  1. 190 Mediterranean Drive, Weymouth, a 418 unit apartment complex known as “Weymouth Commons” sold in November for $151,925,000;
  2. 115-129 Dean Avenue, Franklin, a 23 acre parcel slated to be developed into a 250 unit apartment complex, sold in December for $129,125,000;
  3. 2 Hancock Street, Quincy, a 280 unit, 12 story apartment building known as “Neponset Landing”, sold in December for $114,500,000;
  4. 180-370 Providence Highway, known as the “Dedham Mall” with 510,000 square feet of retail space, sold in November for $108,154,573;
  5. 1 Investors Way, Norwood, a 54 acre property with an office building adjacent to the Moderna property, slated to be developed into a bio-manufacturing facility, sold in April for $105,000,000;
  6. 351-353 Maple Street, Bellingham, industrial property presently including two warehouses, one of which is now an Amazon delivery facility, sold in May for $93,350,000;
  7. 155 King Street, Cohasset, a 226 unit apartment complex built in 2012 and known as the “Preserve at Cohasset”  sold in January for $90,250,000;
  8. 100 Hilltop Drive, a 22 acre, 300 unit apartment complex built in 2004 and known as the “Preserve in Walpole”, sold in November for $$87,600,000;
  9. 10 Faxon Avenue, Quincy, a 10 story, 200 unit apartment building built in 2006 and known as the “Amelia Apartments”, sold in July for $84,000,000; and
  10. 625 Thomas Burgin Parkway, Quincy, a 180 unit apartment complex built in 2016 and  known as “Mill Creek Residences”, sold in February for $61,600,000.  

“Despite the pandemic, the Norfolk County commercial real estate market was one of the busiest in years”, noted Register O’Donnell. “It appears that the top sales consisted primarily of residential apartment complexes but the development of the three properties in Norwood, Bellingham and Franklin bodes well for the Norfolk County economy in terms of employment and tax revenue. The top ten sales generated over $4.6 million in excise taxes for the state and county. We hope 2022 continues in a positive trend”.

To learn more about the Registry of Deeds, 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.  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 Discloses the Most Expensive Real Estate Sales  in Norfolk County in 2021
Register O’Donnell Discloses the Most Expensive Real Estate Sales  in Norfolk County in 2021

The Guardian provides another view to US news

A couple of good articles on topics we don't always find in the US new media

"How COVID shook the US: eight charts that capture the last two years"
Death is a topic not well discussed and perhaps even more so when associated with COVID-19. The counting process can be problematic. Everyone needs to be using the same definitions and even in MA, the definition of a COVID death is changing. One thing is clear, the disease is deadly.

one of the 8 charts in the article
one of the 8 charts in the article

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)


"Sandy Hook review: anatomy of an American tragedy – and the obscenity of social media"

"Even in a country now completely inured to the horrors of mass shootings, the massacre at Sandy Hook remains lodged in the minds of everyone old enough to remember it. Ten years ago, 20-year-old Adam Lanza fired 154 rounds from an AR-15-style rifle in less than five minutes. Twenty extremely young children and six adults were killed.

It was the worst elementary school shooting in American history.

Elizabeth Williamson’s new book is about that “American Tragedy”, but more importantly it is about “the Battle for Truth” that followed. In excruciating detail, Williamson describes the unimaginable double tragedy every Sandy Hook parent has had to endure: the murder of their child, followed by years and years of an army of online monsters accusing them of inventing this unimaginable horror."
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

Note: my wife taught kindergarten for 20+ years here in Franklin so the Sandy Hook tragedy hits close to home. 

"Ageism" Presentation - via Zoom

Happy Sunday! Cold day today, but spring arrives in a few days. The weather report says we can expect temps in the 60's on Thursday.

*  According to a friend who works at Harvard, the university has over 700 job openings right now.
   Remember, the Boston area has over a hundred colleges.  Might be opportunities for many of you.

* A job-seeker told me some online job-applications use drop-downs for the "years of employment" and that the list of years stops in the mid-1980s.  Has anyone else noted dates creeping forward on applications?

*************************************************************
Monday March 14th @ 6:30 pm, I will present via Zoom about Ageism for the Southwick Public Library.

If interested in joining us, email southwicklibrary@comcast.net to let them know your interest.  They will register you and send you the Zoom link.

***************************************************************

If any of you have teens aged 14+ who are starting to wonder what they want to do for a career, or are wondering whether college is right for them, tell them about my workshop--Career Options for Teens.

Registration info is at each library website.( Check their calendar)

3/21   6:30 pm   Uxbridge Library            (in-person)
3/29   5:00 pm   Southampton Library    (in-person)
4/13   4:30 pm   Palmer Library              (in-person)

*****************************************************************

My next practice interview group meets Wednesday March 29th at 6pm.

There will not be a last week in April meeting, as I will be at a convention.
Starting in May, the last week of month meetings will begin at 7pm.

Have a great day!

--
Ed Lawrence
Authorized DISC Administrator
Member, CPRW Certification Committee; NCOPE

"Ageism" Presentation - via Zoom
"Ageism" Presentation - via Zoom

Sunday, March 13, 2022

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - March 16, 2022

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. February 2, 2022 - 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/february_2_2022_tc_meeting_minutes_-_draft_for_review_1.pdf
b. March 2, 2022 - 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/3b._march_2_2022_tc_meeting_minutes_-draft_for_review.pdf

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
a. Recognition / Promotion: Police Department - Sergeant Connor Crosman
b. Recognition / Promotion: Police Department - Detective Laura Canavan

5. APPOINTMENTS
a. New Hire: Police Department - Derek Mackey

6. HEARINGS - 7:00 pm - None Scheduled
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS
a. Stormwater Utility - Brutus Cantoreggi, Department of Public Works 
 
i. Stormwater Presentation - Department of Public Works  - 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/stormwater_utility_fee_presentation_2022.pdf 
 
ii. Stormwater Management Plan:
Year 2 Update, July 3, 2020 - 393-page Federal Stormwater Permit 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_swmp_year_2_update_7-3-20_for_town_with_appendicies.pdf
July 2021 Update   
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2021.06.29_franklin_py3_swmp_update.pdf 
 
iii. Department of Public Works:
& Parcel Level Impervious Surface Map   
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Bylaw Amendment 22-876: Chapter 153 Stormwater Management - Corrective Legislation, First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-876 to Second Reading- Majority Vote)
b. Bylaw Amendment 22-877: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees, Amended at Section 82-6 Schedule of Service Fees, Subsection A. Administration: Stormwater Utility Fee - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-877 to Second Reading- Majority Vote)
c. Bylaw Amendment 22-878: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees, Amended at Section 82-6 Schedule of Service Fees, Subsection A. Administration: Passport Photo Fee - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-878 to Second Reading- Majority Vote)
d. Resolution 22-19: Gift Acceptance - Fire Department ($1,050) (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-19 - Majority Vote)
e. Resolution 22-20: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($2,250) (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-20 - Majority Vote)
f. Resolution 22-21: FY22 Capital Improvement Plan (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-21 - Majority Vote)
g. Resolution 22-22: Free Cash to Stabilization Accounts Transfers (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-22 - Majority Vote)
h. Resolution 22-23: Authorizing the Borrowing of Money to Pay Costs of Repairs for Horace Mann School (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-23 - Two Thirds Majority Vote)

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
a. Preliminary FY23 Budget Model - https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._preliminary_fy23_budget_model.pdf

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

15. ADJOURN

Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda doc including released documents

Joint Budget Subcommittee gets first view of projected budget deficit for FY 2023 (audio & transcript)

FM #751 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 751 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting held Thursday, March 10, 2022. 


The first such meeting of this recharged group combining Town Council, School Committee and Finance Committee members


NEW: A transcript of the recording is available. The transcript is part of a pilot by Franklin Matters using the transcription service provided by Otter.ai https://otter.ai/ 


The meeting opened at 6:30 PM and ran an hour and 45 minutes.


--------------


Meeting agenda and budget overview document ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-03-10_joint_budget_subcommittee_mtg_agenda.pdf


Meeting transcript -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XfN8Ig5eVvBbILAk_PcUAiCJw7h7JICu/view?usp=sharing 


--------------


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We 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. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/


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!

------------------


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

 

TA Jamie Hellen, Miriam Goodman and Supt Sara Ahern presenting to the Joint Budget Subcommittee
TA Jamie Hellen, Miriam Goodman and Supt Sara Ahern presenting to the Joint Budget Subcommittee

Franklin.TV: The Daylight Returneth!

 by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director  03/13/2022


It’s Springtime! Daylight Savings! The Vernal Equinox! All is goodness and light. Christmas aside, this is the most optimistic time of the year for yours truly. Who doesn’t revel in the welcoming light and warmth of the lengthening days?

Back in February all the President’s Day sales ads pitched us to ‘get in on the huge, spectacular savings’. um– Yubbut, inflation is over seven percent. What savings? Hard pass on that.

My optimism this year runs higher than normal, laced with quiet waves of relief. The horrors of COVID are receding in the rear view (hopefully).  We don’t yet know the true personal, social, medical, financial and other costs that so many suffered over these last two years. It has not been an easy time. Let it be a time past.

This weekend – I do plan to, ‘get in on the savings’. Daylight Savings! I plan to enjoy saving as much daylight as I possibly can.

Next week?  The vernal equinox, and the oh-fficial astrological start of Spring.

A new time has come – to renew ourselves and our outlook; to reaffirm our grasp on our future endeavors, our plans, hopes and dreams; to re-open, not just our buildings and businesses, but to re-open our hearts and minds to each other, for we have all come through a time where fate was fickle, life was fragile, and we all felt – forlorn. Wallowing in that helplessness, many of us became angry. Feckless misplaced anger became a social poison. Let the Spring and Summer sunlight be the antidote. Save and savor all that daylight – from dawn’s early light to twilight’s last gleaming.

In my  new  normal . . .

How would/should you end that sentence? How will you craft your new normal?

For me? In my new normal? There is sun-washed optimism – to be shared.

My new normal is filled with daylight. I have no time for hate or anger. None. I’m too busy – getting in on the savings.

And –  as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching.


Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf    

 

Franklin.TV: The Daylight Returneth!
Franklin.TV: The Daylight Returneth!

FHS Gymnastics Team: D1 New England CHAMPIONS

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

Girls Basketball - Division 1 = #6 Franklin, 42 @ #3 Springfield Central, 61 – Final

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-03-12-22/


"Franklin High School Gymnastics Team: Div 1 New England CHAMPIONS!!!!"

"It’s all about the climb and these girls hit the summit today. Your Div 1 All New England Champs!! Emma White also winning the AA with a 39 & Kate Rudolph 4th with a 37.795!!"


FHS Gymnastics Team: D1 New England CHAMPIONS
FHS Gymnastics Team: D1 New England CHAMPIONS

Take the Franklin For All survey between now and April 1!


We need to hear from you as we craft the community vision for Franklin Center. Take the Franklin For All survey by Friday, April 1 to make your voice heard!
Thank you to everyone who joined for our first public forum this past Monday, March 7! We appreciate you taking the time to share your questions and perspectives on the future of Franklin Center. If you did not get a chance attend or would like to view the meeting again, you can access a PDF of the presentation as well as a video recording via the links below.

Metropolitan Area Planning Council | 60 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02111

Sent by ebattaglia@mapc.org powered by
Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.

50+ Job Seekers: Virtual Event - Monday 3/14 @ 6:30 PM on "Ageism"

Via Ed Lawrence:


On Monday evening, I will present an updated edition of my Ageism presentation, courtesy of the Southwick Public Library.

From the library's event page:

Ageism is illegal. It's also rampant. Thousands of smart and experienced workers can't land a job, because of misguided perceptions and biases.

Come join us as we discuss ageism and present tips for not only handling it, but also using the perceptions to your advantage.

We'll also present the history of age discrimination court cases, common mistakes made by mature interviewees, a list of perceptions and how to deal with them.

If you're concerned about ageism, this is the presentation for you. Please email southwicklibrary@comcast.net or stop by the library to sign up. 

This program is brought to you with federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Hope you will consider joining us.

Thanks,

--
Ed Lawrence
Authorized DISC Administrator
Member, CPRW Certification Committee; NCOPE
_
50+ Job Seekers:  Virtual Event - Monday 3/14 @ 6:30 PM on "Ageism"
50+ Job Seekers:  Virtual Event - Monday 3/14 @ 6:30 PM on "Ageism"

Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Career Information Session

Are you interested in joining a multi-talented, multi-cultural and professional organization dedicated to providing the utmost in public safety to the citizens of Norfolk County?  

Meet representatives from the Norfolk County Sheriff’s office and learn how to prepare for a successful career.  They will answer your questions on how to prepare for their career opportunities as a corrections officer.


When: Thursday, April 7, 2022 - 10:00AM – Noon

Where: 
MassHire Framingham Career Center
1671 Worcester Road, 2nd floor
Framingham, MA 01701 

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder ->

Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Career Information Session
Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Career Information Session