Monday, July 11, 2022

"Community Unity" returns as theme for the Franklin Cultural Festival - Sep 10

Happy July, community! This week we'll be moving into high gear towards planning and marketing our September festival! Stay with us to see the details!
We are 90% booking our entertainment, vendors, beer garden and food trucks! We'll be sharing those details HERE over the next two months.
Again our them this year is COMMUNITY UNITY and we intend to make that happen in all ways!

"Community Unity" returns as theme for the Franklin Cultural Festival - Sep 10
 "Community Unity" returns as theme for the Franklin Cultural Festival - Sep 10

Boston Globe: "Should the state ban the use of fossil fuel systems in new commercial and residential construction?" (poll)

Via the Boston Globe: "Should the state ban the use of fossil fuel systems in new commercial and residential construction?"


The 'Yes' view comes from Lisa Cunningham, Architect; Director and co-founder, ZeroCarbonMA; Brookline resident. Lisa joined Ted and I for episode #10 in the Making Sense of Climate series. You can listen to her expand on her 'yes' view ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/in-this-making-sense-of-climate-episode.html


"Should the state ban the use of fossil fuel systems in new commercial and residential construction?"
"Should the state ban the use of fossil fuel systems in new commercial and residential construction?"

FHS Girls Basketball Boosters has a new Facebook page

"Follow us on our NEW Facebook page.
We just had to start a new one due to the overwhelming interest in driveway F’s and people signing up for the golf tournament. Get on board!!!"

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/fhsgbbboosters/status/1545526769763098626 

Visit the new page here -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/569823137966517

Please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/3ov3MRUVaNSWEUzn7
Please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/3ov3MRUVaNSWEUzn7

Register O’Donnell Delivers 2022 Second Quarter Real Estate Activity Report

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell reported that second quarter (April-June 2022) Norfolk County real estate statistics shows a continued uptick in residential and commercial sales and sale prices, despite overall numbers trending downward. 

Register O’Donnell noted, “During the recently concluded second quarter of the 2022 calendar year, the average Norfolk County real estate sales price, both residential and commercial, increased 30% to $1,300,157. Total real estate volume, again both residential and commercial, was $4.09 billion, a 16% increase year over the same period in 2022.”

Register O’Donnell further stated, “The lack of inventory and new construction continue to push prices up. It remains to be seen if this trend continues as overall activity is slowing considerably.”

For the second quarter of 2022, the number of land documents recorded, (such as deeds, mortgages, homesteads, mortgage discharges, etc.) was 35,744, a 31% decline from the second quarter of 2021. Register O’Donnell noted, “This figure tells us while there is still a healthy real estate market, market conditions and rising interest rates are starting to have an impact. We are not seeing the volume we saw in 2020 and 2021.”

There were 6,809 mortgages recorded at the Registry during the second quarter of the calendar year 2022 compared to 12,041 for the same time period in 2021, a 43% decrease. Total mortgage borrowing was $5.06 billion for April through June compared to $6.63 billion during the same period in 2021. “With the increase in interest rates, consumers seem to be less inclined to borrow”, noted the Register.

Norfolk County homeowners continued to benefit from the Homestead Act. A total of 3,315 declarations of homestead were recorded during the second quarter of the calendar year, a 10% decrease over the same period a year ago. “The Homestead law provides limited protection against the forced sale of an individual’s primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. I urge Norfolk County residents to consider this important consumer protection tool,” noted O’Donnell.

A sharp increase in foreclosure activity in Norfolk County remains a cause for concern. Sixteen foreclosure deeds were recorded in the second quarter, the same number recorded during the second quarter of 2021. However, there was a significant increase in the number of recorded Notices to Foreclose, the first step in the foreclosure process. There were 66 Notices recorded in the second quarter versus 33 recorded in the same period of 2021.

O’Donnell stated, “While the eastern Massachusetts economy remains on a solid footing, there are still those in Norfolk County experiencing economic hardship, in many cases through no fault of their own. The Registry continues to work with Quincy Community Action Programs, (617-479-8181 x376), and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, (508-587-0950) to help homeowners who may have received a Notice to Foreclose document. A third option is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400.”

Register O’Donnell concluded, “The economy, particularly the employment numbers in eastern Massachusetts, appears to be strong but, going forward, inflation, rising interest rates and the lack of inventory will likely result in a slowdown of the Norfolk County real estate market.”

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. 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 Delivers 2022 Second Quarter Real Estate Activity Report
Register O’Donnell Delivers 2022 Second Quarter Real Estate Activity Report

“As citizens we have many rights, but we also have obligations"

Via the NY Times: 
The tiny New Hampshire town of Croydon fits the New England of the imagination, with its cozy general store, one-room schoolhouse and local museum open by appointment. The only thing missing is supposed to be missing: a stoplight.

But it’s not just the Rockwellian setting that makes this community of 800 seem quintessentially American. People here have just experienced a fractious come-to-Jefferson moment that has left many with a renewed appreciation for something they had taken for granted: democracy.

“Showing up. That’s the big lesson,” said Chris Prost, 37, a Croydon resident who runs a small brewery from a barn at the back of his house. “And not just showing up, but also knowing what’s going on.”

Hope Damon, 65, a dietitian who is pursuing a new career as a result of her town’s recent crisis, agreed. What happened here, she said, “could happen most anywhere.” 
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
 
A Croydon town meeting in March that began as fairly routine. It didn’t end that way. Credit...James M. Patterson/Valley News
A Croydon town meeting in March that began as fairly routine. It didn’t end that way. Credit...James M. Patterson/Valley News

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, July 11, 2022

  • wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Monday

9 AM 12 PM and 6 PM Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Todd Monjur
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews

11 AM 2 PM and 8 PM A More Perfect Union – with Dr. Michael Walker-Jones,
Representative Jeff Roy and Dr. Natalia Linos

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = MONDAY

8:00 am SAFE Coalition: Kyle Brodeur
9:00 am FHS Graduation 2022
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers
12:30 pm Sandhya: Macaroons
1:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Lobstah
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 1
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 5
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 11
4:00 pm Metrowest Symposium: Equity & Access in Arts & Culture
5:30 pm Senior Connection: Hearing Loss
6:00 pm Veterans' Call: Veterans' Treatment
7:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Brett Feldman
7:30 pm Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo
8:30 pm The Drummer's Studio: 12th Anniversary

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = MONDAY

7:00 am Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 1 03-14-18
10:00 am Public School Event: Remington Spring Music '22
12:00 pm Public School Event: Horace Mann Spring Music '22
2:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Kyle Brodeur
4:00 pm FHS Varsity Baseball: v King Philip 05-07-22
6:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v Moses Brown 05-24-22
8:30 pm FHS PCC: Vaping Panel

  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = MONDAY

8:00 am Planning Board: 06-27-22
2:00 pm Planning Board: 06-27-22
7:00 pm Planning Board: LIVE, Chambers, 835 5646 8465


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

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)
Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Sunday, July 10, 2022

Franklin TV: Even More YouTube

 We’re Expanding Our YouTube Channels

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 07/10/2022

In early May we began live-streaming our government meetings, along with some school sports and events on YouTube. The programs were also posted as videos. For those who “do video” (and yes, we do), YouTube is where folks expect us to be. YouTube is a video destination.

What we said in May:
Get with the program. We’ve all been so advised at one point or other. In this case, it’s about getting you to the programs you want – exactly the way you want them.
We’re now posting our programs on YouTube. It’s familiar. It’s what we all know. It’s immediate. You can now watch our key meetings and events LIVE on YouTube. They will also be there for replay. In a world where we all want what we want – when, where and how we want it, YouTube fills the bill.
In these past two months our YouTube videos have been well received, and now we’re going all in. We’re simplifying our website (for your convenience of course). We’ve organized our YouTube streams into Public Access, School and Government channels so it works just like our three local cable channels. This also enables us to livestream multiple events simultaneously. (We’re often busy that way.)

Just click on the appropriate channel logo on our home page. It will take you to our YouTube Live link for that channel’s scheduled livestream event.

Our YouTube Access, School and Government channels also have earlier programs and meetings, all organized as Video on Demand playlists. Watch any time.

Note: When you visit our YouTube channels you can also choose to Subscribe.
Now you can get with the program directly – whenever you want.

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   

Talk with your family about getting the little ones vaccinated against COVID-19


Medicare dot gov logo
Who should get vaccinated against COVID-19?

Talk with your family about getting the little ones vaccinated. In case you missed it, CDC now recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older, and boosters for everyone 5 years and older.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing children from getting seriously sick.

Learn More

If your loved ones have questions, you can share these 6 important things to know about COVID-19 vaccinations for children. Visit CDC.gov for more information on COVID-19 vaccines and dosage for children and teens.

Sincerely,

The Medicare Team

Franklin Historical Museum: July Second Sunday Speaker talks about Edward W Brooke

Edward W. Brooke
Edward W. Brooke
Join us Sunday, July 10 at 1 PM for a special presentation recognizing a man who made history in Massachusetts. Edward W. Brooke, the first black person ever elected to the US Senate, represented Massachusetts on Capitol Hill from 1967 to 1979, earning praise as a national leader as well as an important figure in the struggle for civil rights. In the "Juneteenth Plus" presentation, local historian Alan Earls will describe Brooke's rise from a childhood in a segregated Washington DC, to service in a segregated Army regiment that trained at Massachusetts Fort Devens. Learn more about this fascinating, forgotten figure and his impact on our state, nation and town!  

Learn and Share: Hosting volunteer opportunities available at the Franklin Historical Museum. If you can give 3-4 hours a month to host on a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon, contact Mary @ franklinmuseum1778@gmail.com

Admission is always free and we are ADA accessible. 

Be sure to visit our gift shop which is run by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum. 


Boston Globe All Scholastics for Spring 2022

The Boston Globe All Scholastics for Spring 2022 are published. View the listing sport by sport here
 
Boston Globe All Scholastics for Spring 2022
Boston Globe All Scholastics for Spring 2022


The Hill: "US on ‘cusp’ of falling gas prices"

Gasoline futures fell more than 10 percent Tuesday and are down more than 22 percent since June, raising hopes that the high price of gas across the country might soon fall. 
  • The price of U.S. crude oil fell more than 8 percent and international benchmark Brent crude fell nearly 10 percent on Tuesday. 
  • “We’re on the cusp of seeing more savings,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at gas price tracking site GasBuddy. “I’m trying to be a little bit optimistic here that this relief could make its entire way to the pump in the weeks ahead.”  
The national average price for a gallon of gasoline now stands at $4.78, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), down from a recent peak above $5 per gallon. A year ago, the national average was only $3.13, representing a 50-percent annual spike in the price of gas.  

Continue reading the Energy update from The Hill -> https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/overnights/3548202-energy-environment-why-gas-prices-may-finally-be-on-the-way-down/ 

A motorist fills up a vehicle at a Shell gas station Monday, July 4, 2022, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
A motorist fills up a vehicle at a Shell gas station Monday, July 4, 2022, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

"Only about one-quarter of PPP funds supported jobs that otherwise would have disappeared"

"The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) directed hundreds of billions of dollars to small businesses and other organizations adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis, providing resources to maintain payrolls, to hire back employees who may have been laid off and to cover important overhead.

But was this money well spent? A recent study offers evidence that the cost of each job saved was very high and that most of the program’s benefits flowed to small-business owners, their creditors and their suppliers rather than to workers. Other crisis programs, including unemployment insurance and economic impact payments, were targeted much more successfully to wage earners."

 

"Only about one-quarter of PPP funds supported jobs that otherwise would have disappeared"
"Only about one-quarter of PPP funds supported jobs that otherwise would have disappeared"

Volunteers are needed to help with the Youth Track meets - Jul 19 & Jul 26

"Calling all interested FHS trackers: on Tuesday July 19th and 26th volunteers are needed to help with the Youth Track meets. If you’re interested please arrive just before 5pm to help out. 

Contact coach Bailey, Trovato, or Hogan with any questions"

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1545775052964110339 

The Summer track series was announced previously:

"Join us this Summer for our Summer Track Series. 
These events will take place on Tuesday July 19th and July 26th. This event is open to ages 3 through 13. 
No registration is required, just $5 admission on the day of the event."

Shared from Franklin Rec Facebook page

Franklin Recreation: Summer track meets for ages 3 to 13
Franklin Recreation: Summer track meets for ages 3 to 13

Congressman Jake Auchincloss: Staff Office Hours in Fall River This Summer on Wednesday's


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Staff members from the Office of Congressman Jake Auchincloss are hosting Summer Office Hours on Wednesdays at Fall River Government Center from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

We invite you to stop by to speak with staff about your constituent needs – walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged by calling in advance to our Attleboro office at (508) 431-1110. If Wednesdays do not work for your schedule, our staff can work with you to make alternate arrangements. 



Fall River Summer Office Hours
Wednesdays from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fall River Government Center–Second Floor (Room 237B)
1 Government Ctr, Fall River, MA 02722

As always, we continue to serve constituents in our Newton and Attleboro District offices, and online at https://auchincloss.house.gov/.

We look forward to seeing you in Fall River this summer! 

 

OFFICE LOCATIONS

WASHINGTON DC OFFICE • 1524 Longworth House Office Building • Washington, DC 20515 • Phone: (202) 255-5931

NEWTON DISTRICT OFFICE • 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 • Newton, MA 02458 • Phone : (617) 332-3333

ATTLEBORO DISTRICT OFFICE • 8 N. Main St. Suite 200 • Attleboro, MA 02703 • Phone : (508) 431-1110
 
WEBSITE  |  UNSUBSCRIBE  |  CONTACT

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Announcing MassCEC’s ACT School Bus Program

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) recently released a Notice of Intent for a new Program, Accelerating Clean Transportation School Bus (“ACT School Bus”).  MassCEC intends for this program to support electric school bus deployment and complement the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program. MassCEC is here to help discuss your options for school bus electrification whether you own, lease, or contract with a third-party fleet. Schedule a time to meet here!
 
The first round of applications for EPA’s Clean School Bus rebate program are open now through August 19th! School districts and other eligible applicants can receive up to $375,000 in funding per bus based on prioritization. School districts that work with a third-party school bus company are encouraged to partner with their providers and take advantage of this funding opportunity. For more information on the EPA rebates and timeline, please visit EPA’s website to access webinars and FAQ.
 
Additionally, MassCEC’s ACT School Bus will offer flexible funding for deployment projects and technical assistance for electrification planning. Eligibility and prioritization will be aligned with EPA’s program. MassCEC will be opening the funding opportunity for school bus fleets in late summer 2022, after EPA applications are due. For additional information, please visit our website, sign up for our office hours, or email our team at CleanTransportation@masscec.com!