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Tuesday, August 30, 2022
LiveARTS Concert Season Announced for 2022-2023
Why 2290 purple flags?
"In recognition of Overdose Awareness Day, an annual observance in Massachusetts and around the world, Governor Charlie Baker, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders, Department of Public Health Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Barrelle, DPH Director of Bureau of Substance Addiction Services Deirdre Calvert, and other state and local officials today joined families, friends, and volunteers in planting 20,000 flags on Boston Common, signifying the Massachusetts residents who died as a result of drug overdose in the past 10 years. The Baker-Polito Administration also issued a proclamation declaring August 31st Overdose Awareness Day across the Commonwealth.
The purple flags were planted at the Common’s Liberty Mall in front of the State House to honor and remember individuals who lost their lives to overdose, acknowledge the loss felt by family and friends, raise awareness, and remove the stigma of drug-related deaths. An information booth was set up to offer addiction prevention and recovery support resources."
Continue reading the press release online -> https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-recognizes-overdose-awareness-day-and-recovery-month
Franklin's awareness event is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 PM on the Town Common. The SAFE Coalition is hosting the event and planting 2290 flags to recognize the number of overdose deaths in MA during 2021.
You can join the remembrance event and volunteer to help set up the flags
Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Ep. 044 - How To Handle Being Bored, Unexpected Science Discoveries, Meeting Ben Affleck and more (audio)
In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group share stories, poems, writings plays and more about how to stop being bored when you find yourself bored, weird unexpected science discoveries, how Alice met Ben Affleck at a movie premiere, sharing poems of love, and a collection of sherkus.
This episode aired on Franklin Radio for August 2022.
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| Senior Story Hour - WFPR |
Senior Story Hour - WFPR
The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group. Steve Sherlock hosts The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group for a
monthly reading of short stories, essays, poetry and more.
Franklin State Primary voters: If you have a vote by mail ballot, drop it at the Municipal Building dropbox
"Have a mail-in ballot sitting on your kitchen table or tacked up on your refrigerator?Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin advises that you fill it out and take it to a secure drop box, early voting site, or your local city or town hall before 8 p.m. on Sept. 6 if you want it to be counted for the state primary election.Because of the Labor Day holiday and possible delays on the part of the Postal Service, Galvin said it’s safer to hand-deliver the ballot, as opposed to dropping it in the mail."
Continue reading the Boston Globe article online (subscription may be required)
Franklin has a new option for your mail ballot. The key one being to drop it at the Municipal Building where a new dropbox has been installed in the Town Clerk's office.
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| If you have a vote by mail ballot, drop it at the Municipal Building dropbox |
Notice from the Office of the Town Administrator - volunteer positions available for town boards & committees
Notice from the Office of the Town Administrator
The Town of Franklin currently has several volunteer openings on various boards and committees. The Town is seeking residents who are interested in filling those volunteer positions that are now available, or wish to have their name for consideration when a vacancy occurs.
This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to get more involved in our wonderful community! Available seats are listed below along with term expiration dates:
| Board / Committee Name | # of Vacancies | Term Expirations |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Commission | 1 (Associate) | 2023 |
| Conservation Commission | 1 | 2025 |
| Cultural District Committee | 2 | 2023, 2024 |
| Design Review Commission | 1 (Associate) | 2023 |
| Finance Committee | 1 | 2025 |
| Franklin Disability Commission | 1 | 2024 |
To apply, click the following link to submit a Volunteer Application Form
All missions and work conducted by boards and committees can be found on our website franklinma.gov
Read more -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/2022-08-29_boards_committees_vacancies_announcement.pdf
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| Notice from the Office of the Town Administrator - volunteer positions available for town boards & committees |
Peer-to-peer car sharing: A potentially risky side gig
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| Peer-to-peer car sharing: A potentially risky side gig |
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, Aug 30, 2022
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Tuesday
9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era
11:00 AM 2 PM and 8:00 PM SAFE Radio– Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = TUESDAY
7:00 am Care For Ukraine
9:00 am It Takes A Village: 40 Percent Club
10:00 am Frank Presents: Keith Carreiro
11:00 am Senior Connection: COVID Updates
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Scones
12:30 pm Sandhya: Homemade Cheez-Its
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: White Pizza
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 1
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 3
3:30 pm Arts Advocacy: Impact
4:30 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 6 - Swinging Steaks
5:30 pm Physician Focus: Too Much Medicine?
6:00 pm Community Arts Advocacy Day: A Discussion
7:30 pm Once Upon A Town: Gas Stations
8:30 pm Electric Youth: Bon Voyage Show 1
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY
7:00 am Public School Event: Concert Hour Day 2
9:00 am Public School Event: Remington Spring Music '22
11:00 am Battleship Cove: 3D Print Lab
12:00 pm Public School Concert: Strings School 05-16-16
2:00 pm It Takes A Village: 40 Percent Club
3:00 pm U. S. Army: Jazz Ambassadors 04-01-19
6:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Soccer: v Malden 11-04-21
8:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Soccer: v King Philip 10-27-21
10:00 pm FHS Varsity Volleyball: v Mansfield 09-27-21
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY
8:00 am School Committee: 08-23-22
2:00 pm School Committee: 08-23-22
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)
Monday, August 29, 2022
Town of Franklin (MA): Five Year Fiscal Forecast - FY 2024 (part 3 of 5)
This continues to share the Five Year Fiscal Outlook for the Town of Franklin as published by the Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen:
FY24 Financial Outlook
FY24 will be the fiscal year to monitor the new impacts of inflation and/or a recession on the quantity of town services that can be delivered. FY24 will also be the year to monitor the overall condition of the economy, consumer spending and trends on residential households and their ability to withstand the cost increases that we know will be going into effect: stormwater and the Beaver Street Interceptor. A year from now, all town officials should keep a close eye on the ability of residents to afford the increases that are coming from these mandatory projects. These projects could have an effect on other town services.
As written above, rising costs will likely set up a sustainability imbalance with what the purchasing power was in FY22 versus FY24. The Town will begin its FY24 budget process later this fall where we will look at our local summer and fall revenue trends, as well as take a cautiously optimistic gaze toward how the global economy modifies over the next six months. Keep your fingers crossed!
I would expect a Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting sometime in October to check in on FY23 revenues and early prospects for FY24.
Areas of expected operational increases due to inflation include: roads, snow and ice removal, construction supplies, all basic goods and services, and personnel and labor costs. The DPW and Facilities Departments will see the greatest impacts from rising inflation on expenses.
Most departments will feel this increase as both of their departments supply basic services such as fuel, gas, electricity, water to other departments. All departments will see an increase in personnel costs due to the competitive labor market and the successful performance of our current staff.
The stormwater utility fee goes into effect townwide for all property owners on July 1, 2023. The average fee per household on a half-acre lot will be about $56. As a result, stormwater expenditures from the DPW will be transferred to the utility. A significant reduction in the DPW budget will show in FY24. This dynamic will be deceiving given the cost increases coming from goods, services, and labor/personnel throughout the entire organization, but most notably the DPW. Also, additional funds will be needed for roads and infrastructure due to rising costs. Most of the reduction of stormwater will likely give way to overall cost increases from inflation.
Lastly, FY24 is when the effects of interest rates will possibly alter town services. As I have pointed out in every budget narrative in recent years, the ratio of debt and interest as a percentage of the town budget has been slowly shrinking as old debt and interest are paid off. Of all seven major budget categories, Debt & Interest was the only category to decrease in the FY23 budget. As a result, other services are taking up a larger percentage of the budget pie, leaving less room for capital projects that require borrowing. With rising interest rates and rising project costs, future capital projects may be in jeopardy if they require borrowing. For more information, please read the Budget Narratives on Debt & Interest from previous fiscal years.
FY23 debt levels are currently at about 2.5% of recurring general fund revenues. These line items support both school and municipal projects.
The town will have some difficult decisions to possibly postpone projects. These projects will undoubtedly become much more complicated, expensive and difficult to fund based on rising interest rates and costs. The following projects will require some borrowing authority, which will increase interest in the operating budget or enterprise funds:
● Beaver Street Interceptor;
● The future of Davis-Thayer;
● A future decision on a new or renovated police station;
● A future decision on the Remington-Jefferson School renovation; and
● A future decision on a new recycling center.
Those are just the large projects that have been in the pipeline for years. This list is obviously not exhaustive and this is even before we tackle the issues of infrastructure, roads, sidewalks, parks, open space plans, staffing investments, among many other things the community has on its wishlist.
The Town recently received a 3.38% interest rate with the AAA bond rating. I suspect those rates will climb closer to five percent (at best) in FY23 and FY24.
In short, FY24 will likely begin a harsh reality in the community. There will likely be choices to postpone capital projects or move forward with those projects and operating services may need to be adjusted to reflect the costs of services. Unless the economy can hit a rhythmic state, some difficult financial decisions will have to be made.
Continue reading the full report in this PDF -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022-08-15_fy23_to_fy27_town_administartor_fiscal_forecast_1.pdf
Part 1 (FY 2022 closing) was shared previously
Part 2 (FY 2023) was shared previously
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| Town of Franklin Earns AAA Bond Rating |
#1 complaint: speeding - "Slow down, you move too fast"
In a soon to be released Talk Franklin episode, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen reveals that the #1 complaint to the Municipal building is speeding. Not parking, not zoning, speeding.
With schools opening this week, more traffic will be on the roads, more people will be on the sidewalks, please take care and go slow.
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| The new paving along King St has new crosswalk markings for the Parmenter School. |
Time for us all to
"Slow down, you move too fastYou've got to make the morning last ..."
Video link -> https://youtu.be/TJBhdKrwTOc
Dan Rather: Dear Teachers
One of the great sadnesses of our current age is how politics has polluted so much of our public discourse and spread into realms that once seemed free of partisanship. That this occurs at a time when much of the Republican Party has adopted the posture of a bully and is gripped by extremist ideology and attacks on truth and justice makes it all the more dangerous and dispiriting. Perhaps nowhere is this more true than in the battlegrounds that our schools have become. We are living in an age when the number of books being banned is on the rise and the willingness to confront America's complicated history is on the decline. We see intolerance worn as a badge of toughness, while inclusion, the great promise of what public education can be, is treated as weakness. We see a concerted effort to take over school boards, especially in deeply conservative areas, with true believers in the culture wars eager to inflict their small-mindedness, bias, and mean-spirited ideology on shaping how young minds are taught. Teaching, already an underappreciated profession in this country, is becoming an even less appealing line of work. We have educators who have spent decades in the classroom now forced to look over their shoulders, wondering whether the books on their shelves or their carefully honed lesson plans will run afoul of the new draconian mandates. And we have young idealists with freshly minted teaching certificates wondering whether they can impart their excitement and new ideas into the students before them. Some of these concerns are not new. When I was a student, for example, racial injustice in the form of legally segregated schools was a hallmark of public education. Schools have always been shaped by the larger societal forces that whip around them. Public education is, after all, about molding the minds and the mores of future citizens. Few institutions have more power in determining what this country will become than our schools. But there have been decades of progress on what and how our children are taught, and today that wave of advancement is retreating in many parts of America. Sadly, there are so many examples of far-right ideology shaping curricula, on issues ranging from race to LGBTQ rights to science, that to call them all out individually is an impossible task. This is a broad movement not confined by school or district; much of the effort is being directed at the state level. Republican politicians have learned that they can rally their base through bad-faith misrepresentations of school culture, which they depict as out of control with so-called "woke" ideology (which we wrote about in Steady here) and the bogeyman of "critical race theory," which they totally mischaracterize — and which is taught in almost none of the schools where they have made it an issue. Nearly every parent wants good schools for their children, and Republicans are playing to fears they have carefully fanned to lure in voters even beyond their base. This was notably true in the last gubernatorial election in Virginia. Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has cultivated his political reputation (and a likely presidential run) by attacking professional educators — and indeed the very idea that schools should be welcoming, tolerant learning environments. The elections that lie ahead — not only the big, marquee ones, but more importantly, those for school boards and other local offices — will do a lot to shape what will happen in our schools in the years to come. But there is another force that is even more powerful, and as we mark the beginning of a new school year, let us recognize it: teachers. While we should grapple with the political context laid out above, let us shift the tone of this piece now to one of celebration. Writing about teachers, singing their praises, honoring them as American heroes has long been one of my favorite activities. It never gets old, and it never gets less important. I would like to use whatever platform I have to shine a spotlight of deep respect on these invaluable public servants. And I am pleased that if you search for quotes from me online, one of the most popular is this: "The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called 'truth.'" I believe every word of it. These aren't empty sentiments. They come from my lived history. A while back here on Steady, I shared my own experiences as a student of public schools, including an emotional return to my elementary school in Houston. For all the challenges our schools face, right now millions of children are learning about the world and themselves thanks to dedicated teachers. Teachers are going the extra mile, reaching out to kids in need, tweaking lesson plans to include new insights, passing their own inspirations to the young people before them. The work is not easy — far from it. And it can be an incredible grind, especially when it seems that society doesn't value it or is even outright hostile to teachers. With this as a backdrop, it is understandable that many are choosing to leave the profession. This is not a reflection on them, but rather on the nation that is allowing it to happen. Teachers, you are our inspiration and our hope. You nurture the flames of our democracy. You literally save lives. You work miracles every day. Your resourcefulness, resilience, and creativity are boundless. We saw it during the heart of the pandemic. And we see it now. It is all the more reason you should not be taken for granted. Dear readers, how many of you can close your eyes and be transported to a classroom from your past? Do you see a favorite teacher? Hear that word of encouragement or hard truth that shaped the course of your life? Teachers are the winds that propel our children's sails forward. They are the North Stars that help guide us all. I apologize if this reads as a bit trite. I can imagine red ink on the page from some of my previous English teachers marking my excesses. Sadly, those teachers are all now long gone. But in me, as in my classmates, as in all of you, the work of our teachers lives on. We cannot thank our teachers enough. Each day the gifts they have given us are renewed. We should do everything we can to protect them and value them. A lot of this work must be done at the ballot box, but it can also be accomplished through words of encouragement and support. To all the teachers out there: thank you. Note: If you are not already a subscriber to our Steady newsletter, please consider doing so. And we always appreciate you sharing our content with others and leaving your thoughts in the comments. Thanks for subscribing to Steady. This post is public, so please feel free to share it. © 2022 Dan Rather |
Norfolk Register of Deeds: Register O'Donnell Promotes Consumer Notification Service
Taking note of publicity relating to “deed theft”, Norfolk Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell today reminded Norfolk County homeowners about the Registry’s Consumer Notification Service.
Deed theft can take different forms. The most common type of fraud preys on people who are in danger of losing their property, usually rental property, through foreclosure. The owners are told that they qualify for a “short sale” – a process where the foreclosing lender settles for less than the amount owed or the mortgage – and that if they sign the deed over to a third party, they can avoid the foreclosure. The owner signs a deed over to the third-party scammer, not realizing they are still responsible for the debt, and the scammer, rather than negotiating the short sale, collects and keeps the rental payments until the lender eventually forecloses. Another form of deed theft preys on the elderly homeowner who, subject to undue influence often by a family member, signs over their property, not realizing what they are signing.
Less common is forgery, where a scammer fakes a homeowner’s signature on a deed and records it in the registry of deeds. A forged deed is not valid and conveys nothing. If a buyer or a lender rely on a forged deed and don’t do their due diligence on a property’s title, they are out of luck. They, not the legitimate property owner, will ultimately lose any money paid to the thief. Forgery is a felony in all fifty states, punishable by jail time and heavy fines. The court may also require restitution for damages caused by the forgery, such as the costs of clearing the title.
There are companies that now offer paid subscription services that will periodically monitor the public records and notify an owner if a deed has been recorded transferring the ownership of their property. It is not title insurance and usually will offer no additional services if a fraudulent transaction has taken place.
Commenting on the issue, Register O’Donnell stated, “Our mission at the Registry of Deeds is the safety and security of all property records. We recognize that there are unscrupulous individuals that may try to take advantage of the property rights of others. We have initiated a Consumer Notification Service at the Registry, a free service whereby subscribers sign up to be notified when any document is recorded under their name. While I can’t speak to the paid subscription services, we have confidence in our “alert” or notification system.”
Information on “Consumer Notification” can be found on the Registry website, www.norfolkdeeds.org under the heading, “Services”. The Registry Customer Service Department can assist anyone who would like to set up the notification for their property.
Register O’Donnell concluded, “I want to reiterate that our free notification service, like the paid services, does not protect against fraud but will at least alert an owner if a fraudulent deed has been recorded. Owners should be always be aware of what they are signing when it comes to any document that may affect the title to their real estate and should scrutinize any company that promises to alleviate debt if you sign over a deed to them. In Massachusetts a deed should always be signed in front of a notary public. Massachusetts notaries are obligated to request identification from the party signing the deed.”
If you have any questions about the notification service, please contact our Customer Service Center at 781-461-6101, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30AM-4:30PM. Our trained staff are more than willing to answer any questions you may have.”
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.
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| Norfolk Register of Deeds: Register O'Donnell Promotes Consumer Notification Service |
Frank Presents: 036 - Kathleen Liberty, Alicia Sullivan and Cassia Monteiro (audio)
In this episode, Frank Falvey is joined by Kathleen Liberty, the health director in Franklin, Alicia Sullivan, and epidemiologist Cassia Monteiro, to discuss COVID over the last two years, their backgrounds, and the work they're doing in Franklin and beyond.
Audio link -> https://frank-falvey.captivate.fm/episode/036-frank-presents-kathleen-liberty-alicia-sullivan-and-cassia-monteiro
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| Frank Presents: 036 - Kathleen Liberty, Alicia Sullivan and Cassia Monteiro (audio) |
Frank Falvey - WFPR
Frank Falvey dives into current events, hot button topics and invites guests give their insights
Frank Falvey examines everything from Franklin to U.S. politics; from current events to the local community, giving his personal thoughts and considerations. Frank is also joined by local guests to talk the Franklin community and dissect current events.
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