FHS Theater Company stage crew creates the "magic" of Cinderella |
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
FHS Theater Company stage crew creates the "magic" of Cinderella
Memory Café this Wednesday Nov 16 at 1 PM features music with Alex Connolly
Snapology Space Wars Robotics - registration open now for 4th to 6th graders beginning Jan 2023
Snapology Space Wars Robotics:
Franklin, MA: Tax Rate Public Hearing scheduled for Nov 30, 2022
CommonWealth Magazine: "Wind farm developer bucks DPU, pushes approach agency previously rejected"
Baker aide urges Avangrid to stay the course
""GOV. CHARLIE BAKER’S top energy aide urged the offshore wind developer Avangrid to abandon efforts to reopen its electricity contract with the state and abide by the existing terms.
Avangrid has asked the Department of Public Utilities for a one-month delay in approving the contract, saying the time is needed to work out new terms because the 1,200-megawatt Commonwealth Wind project is not viable without an adjustment in the electricity price.
The company, which has said its project has been rocked by inflation, interest rate hikes, and supply chain difficulties, is expected to file a brief on the issue with the DPU on Monday."Continue reading the article online
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/baker-aide-urges-avangrid-to-stay-the-course-2/
"THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES was very clear a week ago, telling the state’s two leading offshore wind developers that they could either move forward with the pricing contracts they negotiated with the state’s utilities or withdraw from the proceedings and start over again.
Mayflower Wind quickly responded that it would honor the terms of its contract but also said it would seek to inform all parties of the cost challenges wind farm developers are facing because of the war in Ukraine, interest rate hikes, inflation, and supply chain disruptions.
Avangrid, the developer of the 1,200-megawatt Commonwealth Wind project, asked for more time to respond and then waited until the very last minute on Monday before filing a response that largely ignored the DPU’s order."Continue reading the article online
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/avangrid-ignores-dpu-order-refuses-to-budge-on-pricing-changes/
CommonWealth Magazine: "Wind farm developer bucks DPU, pushes approach agency previously rejected" |
Last Chance to be Included in Franklin Downtown Partnership Holiday Gift Guide
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DPW updates on the sewer lining work underway around town (video)
"Exciting stuff, if you like Sewer work! The sewer main lining that happened in September is complete and now a crew is in Town Grouting the services and ends.
If you see these guys around town, they are the grouting crew that is the final step to keep the ground water out of the sewer. For a virtual representation of what is being done check out this video - "
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, Nov 15, 2022
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Tuesday
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = TUESDAY
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY
Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)
Monday, November 14, 2022
Happy anniversary Franklin Matters readers! We celebrate 15 years bringing you timely and accurate news!
Happy anniversary to us!
You have read, asked questions, subscribed, commented, sent us something to post, etc. And we welcome that. It take two to tango.
For the folks who may be new, welcome to the group! You may have questions someone has asked before (hence an easy answer) or have a question no one has asked before (and we'll go figure it out).
Integration with Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) will continue. Someday, not too far away, there will be one page with three views to “Watch, Listen, and Read” all of Franklin’s information.
Franklin TV and the three channels will be the “Watch” view
Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) will be the “Listen”
last but not least, to help tie them all together will be Franklin Matters as the “Read’ view
What do you get for a free subscription?
If you haven't already Subscribed; please do, you will receive only one email per day with all that matters. https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html
Why Franklin Matters - why I started this in 2006/2007 and have been at it since https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/why-franklin-matters.html
Meeting notes: the archive on meeting notes and audio recordings for meetings going back to 2008. If interested, a link to the 2007 archives is also available.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/meeting-notes.html
wfpr.rm podcasts, or play anywhere Radio shows. The link to each podcast as well as the most current episode of each can be found on the page in alphabetical order. https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/franklin-matters-radio.html
The Franklin Matters Radio archives grow regularly as recordings of meetings and interviews are posted. https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/fm-podcasts.html
Among the radio shows posted there are some regular series
Talk Franklin - a regular discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen
Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - a post meeting recap
Interviews with candidates for the Franklin local election (every two years)
Audio segments of meetings and events recorded, many of them shared via wfpr.fm radio
If you look for an episode and find a broken link, please let me know. I did change podcast hosts in February 2021. Links prior to that may be in the older format and I can’t update them all easily. They are available and I will do them as you need them.
Key links - a page with collections of writing around a topic. For example the “Election Collections” for each local election since 2007 are available
https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/important-links.html
https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html
Reminder: Franklin School Committee - Redistricting Advisory Subcommittee - Nov 15, 2022 at 6 PM
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."
FHS boys soccer team ends their playoff run falling 1-2 to St John's Shrewsbury
Hard fought 2-1 loss to St. John’s to end our season. Goal by Hansy (from Garrett). Thank you to our seniors: Trey, Kryzak, Griffin, Connor, Max, Klawson, Josh, Gavin, Ben, and Vignan. You will all be missed. Good luck to the underclassmen next year, and thanks for a great seasonhttps://twitter.com/_FranklinSoccer/status/1591939650331021314
It’s been an incredible ride! Congratulations @_FranklinSoccer on an awesome season! 16-4-1 and Hock Champions! Best of luck to the Seniors… you will all be missed! #PantherPridehttps://twitter.com/FHSBoysSocBSTRs/status/1591950257008832513
FHS Panthers |
Register O'Donnell Reports on October Real Estate Activity in Norfolk County
Norfolk County Register of Deeds, William P. O'Donnell, reported that Norfolk County recordings for the month of October 2022 indicate a significant decrease in overall real estate activity, particularly mortgage activity, as compared to the October 2021 numbers.
There were 9,052 documents recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds in October, a 37% decrease from October 2021 and a decrease of 9% from September 2022.
"The rise in interest rates has had an impact on many aspects of the real estate market," said O'Donnell. "Total document volume is down significantly compared to October 2022. One of the components of document volume, the number of deeds recorded, indicates a decrease in property sales."
The number of deeds for October 2022, which reflect real estate sales and transfers, both commercial and residential, show a decrease of 17% from October 2021 and a decrease of 7% from the previous month of September 2022. Sale prices for October appear to have leveled off when compared to October 2021. The average sale price in October was $1,064,073, an increase of 5% compared to October 2021 and down 2% from September 2022. The total dollar volume of commercial and residential sales is down, decreasing 17% from one year ago and decreasing 12% from last month.
"Consumers seem to be less willing to borrow with interest rates above 7%," noted O'Donnell. "According to the numbers we are seeing at the Registry, mortgages are down more than 50% compared to October 2021." O'Donnell continued, "The rising mortgage interest rates also have an impact on buyers looking to purchase real estate."
Overall lending activity showed a continued downward trend for the month of October. A total of 1,482 mortgages were recorded this month, 55% less than a year ago at the same time and down 12% from last month.
"The rising cost of living and increasing interest rates that the country is facing now are having an impact on the local real estate market," noted O'Donnell. "A continuing cause for concern in Norfolk County is the number of pending foreclosures."
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has been closely monitoring the foreclosure market. In October, there were 4 foreclosure deeds recorded as a result of mortgage foreclosures taking place in Norfolk County, one less than in October 2021. However, in October, there were 25 notices to foreclose, the first step in the foreclosure process, down slightly from the 37 recorded in October 2021.
"While the number of notices to foreclose have come down slightly from last month, they are still significantly higher than in October 2021," said O'Donnell. "This indicates that more of our neighbors are facing financial challenges going forward. O'Donnell continued, "We will continue to track these numbers."
For the past several years, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has partnered with Quincy Community Action Programs (617-479-8181 x376) and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions (508-587-0950) to help anyone facing challenges paying their mortgage. Another option for homeowners is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400.
"If you are having difficulty paying your monthly mortgage, please consider contacting one of these non-profit agencies for help and guidance," said Register O'Donnell.
Register O'Donnell concluded, "The rise in interest rates, at levels not seen in decades, has decreased the number of people willing to purchase property, which may be leading to an increasing drop in the average property sales price."
To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us on facebook.com/norfolkdeeds follow us on Twitter, and Instagram @norfolkdeeds.
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities, and others with a need for secure, accurate, and 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 at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.
Register O'Donnell Reports on October Real Estate Activity in Norfolk County |
Franklin Public Schools: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee schedules "Deep Dive" Nov 19
Vision (Hopes and dreams for the future)
- Franklin Public Schools is committed, through its educational mission, to building an anti-biased and socially-just school system. Members of our school community commit to the process of listening, learning, acting, and reflecting in order to
- affirm the diversity among community members;
- promote equity and accountability by providing resources and opportunities and reducing barriers to success;
- foster a safe and inclusive school environment so that each student and faculty/staff member truly belongs and is empowered to participate in decision-making.
- As a system and as individuals, we are responsible for proactively taking steps to prevent bias; similarly we are responsible for illuminating and addressing bias and discrimination when incidents occur. As a result, each student in Franklin Public Schools will have equitable opportunities to achieve Franklin’s Portrait of a Graduate. https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/portrait_of_a_graduate_.pdf
Definitions
- Diversity is a reflection of the uniqueness of an individual’s identity, thoughts, ideas, perspectives, and values, and the fluidity through which each may evolve. Some examples include, but are not limited to, a person’s race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, religious beliefs, culture, national origin, disability and cognitive styles.
- Equity involves each individual being able to attain the attributes of Franklin’s Portrait of a Graduate.
- Inclusion is consistently ensuring that individuals belong in the school community by authentically seeking out, valuing, and respecting their input particularly regarding decisions that affect theirs and others’ lives.
Franklin Public Schools: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee schedules "Deep Dive" Nov 19 |
Franklin Housing Authority - agenda for the Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners - Nov 14, 2022
Franklin High School newsletter for week of Nov 14, 2022
FHS Student Newsletter! https://t.co/KXrYG9iUwT
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/FranklinHS/status/1591889395715837952
Franklin High School newsletter for week of Nov 14, 2022 |