Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee
Agenda & Meeting PacketJanuary 25, 2023 - 5 PM
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| Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee - Jan 25 - 5 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.”
A. JLCD - Administering Medicines to StudentsB. JLCD-1 - Anaphylaxis ProcedureC. EBCD - Emergency ClosingsD. GBI - Political Activities of Staff
A. None
A. IA - Instructional GoalsB. IB - Academic FreedomC. IC - School Year School CalendarD. IE - Organization of InstructionE. IGA - Curriculum DevelopmentF. IGAA - Curriculum GoalsG. IGB - Student Services ProgramsH. IGBH - Alternative Programs
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| FPS: School Committee - Policy Subcommittee Meeting - Jan 25, 2023 - 6 PM |
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| School Committee contract negotiation sessions scheduled for Executive session |
"US health officials want to make COVID-19 vaccinations more like the annual flu shot.The Food and Drug Administration on Monday proposed a simplified approach for future vaccination efforts, allowing most adults and children to get a once-a-year shot to protect against the mutating virus.This means Americans would no longer have to keep track of how many shots they’ve received or how many months it’s been since their last booster.The proposal comes as boosters have become a hard sell. While more than 80% of the US population has had at least one vaccine dose, only 16% of those eligible have received the latest boosters authorized in August."
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| COVID-19 vaccinations could become an annual affair. VEEJAY VILLAFRANCA/BLOOMBERG |
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Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)
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| R. A. Lawson |
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| video series -> History in Your Backyard |
This session of the radio show shares my introductory conversation with the Town of Franklin Conservation Agent Breka Li Goodlander, CWS, PWS. We had our conversation via conference bridge.
This session we spend time talking about the Open Space & Recreation Plan (OSRP) now being updated
OSRP is part of the Master Plan, a plan for a plan
Inventory of open space & recreation assets
Input from community to build plan, feedback from community on plan draft
Series of focus groups, public forums, survey, etc. used to gather the input
The conversation runs about 16 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Breeka Li. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-922-town-of-franklin-open-space-recreation-plan-overview-01-12-23
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Open Space & Recreation plan update https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/2023-open-space-and-recreation-plan-update
Schedule of focus group meetings, follow up office hours, public forums, etc. -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/case-you-missed-it-2023-osrp-first-focus-group-meeting-sports-and-rec-programming
Mass Gov OSRP website: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/open-space-and-recreation-plans
OSRP Masswoods handbook: https://masswoods.org/sites/masswoods.org/files/pdf-doc-ppt/Open%20Space%20Handbook.pdf
Mass Open Space Network: https://www.massopenspace.org/ (Many free, introductory webinars for homeowners re: Open Space, estate planning, Chapter 61, etc.)
Conservation page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation
Contact info -> Conservation Agent/Natural Resource Protection Manager
(508) 520-4847
For project updates and other Conservation related news and information, you may subscribe for Conservation updates https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe
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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!
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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"
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| Town of Franklin begins planning to update the Open Space and Recreation Plan |
After 1st period: Franklin 0 Newburyport 0 Heavy hitting game thus far!!Newburyport strikes first 2 minutes into the 2nd. Chasing 1After 2nd periods Franklin 0 Newburyport 1Final Newburyport 1 Franklin 0
Final today 1-1 (OT) v. NorwoodHannah A. with her first goal of the year! KP up next Thursday 5:30!!
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| FHS Panthers |
In 2022, there were 130,051 documents recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, a 33% decrease from 2021.
"The real estate market is feeling the effects of inflation and steadily rising interest rates, which is limiting how much money customers can save," said Register O'Donnell. "The total number of documents is much lower in 2022 than it was in 2021, but the change from month to month is less pronounced. The number of recorded deeds, which is one measure of document volume, shows a drop in real estate sales from the previous year."
Average Annual Sale Price Commercial-Residential
The number of deeds for 2022, which reflect real estate sales and transfers, both commercial and residential, was 17,398—a decrease of 17% from 2021.
Sale prices for 2022 appear to have increased slightly compared to 2021. The average sale price for all of Norfolk County, both commercial and residential, this year was $1,173,256, a 10% increase from 2021. However, the total dollar volume of commercial and residential sales is down, decreasing 10% from one year ago.
"With the average sales price showing increases for the year as a whole and the total volume of sales decreasing, indicates that in 2022 there were fewer homes being sold, but at a higher price," said Register O'Donnell.
Total Number of Deeds Recorded in 2022 for Norfolk County
According to numbers from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the median interest rate of a 30-year fixed-rate conventional loan started at 4.14% in January 2022 and grew to 6.61% by December 2022, a more than 63% increase.
"The increasing cost of living and rising interest rates that the country is currently experiencing have an effect on the local real estate market," noted O'Donnell. "With interest rates more than double what there were at the start of 2022, consumers appear to be less inclined to borrow, and the decline in average sales prices suggests sellers are lowering pricing to compensate,"
Overall lending activity showed a continued downward trend. A total of 23,265 mortgages were recorded at the Registry in 2022, 50% fewer than a year earlier.
"This year, month to month, the registry figures show significant increases in the number of pending foreclosures, with as many as 40 in one month," said O'Donnell.
Total Numbers of Foreclosure Deeds & Notices to Foreclose
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has been closely monitoring the foreclosure market. In 2022, there were 68 foreclosure deeds recorded as a result of mortgage foreclosures taking place in Norfolk County, whereas in 2021 there were 52 recorded. However, in 2022, there were 308 notices to foreclose, the first step in the foreclosure process, significantly more than the 141 recorded in December of 2021.
"The substantial increase in the number of notices to foreclose is troubling. This suggests that more of our neighbors may have financial difficulties in the future," said O'Donnell. "We have seen this number more than double this year and will continue to monitor these figures in 2023."
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, "Inflation in the US has been increasing since mid-2021, and it hit a 40-year high exceeding 8% in September 2022. The Federal Reserve raised interest rates many times in 2022 in an effort to slow the rise in inflation. As a result, borrowing money now costs more. This year, mortgage rates have doubled, which has led some buyers to pause their home searches, and, on average, fewer offers are being made to sellers."
To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us on Facebook at facebook.com/norfolkdeeds. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @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.
In this episode, the group is joined by More Perfect Union founder Frank Falvey, to discuss the place of ethics in politics, whether or not there needs to be an ethics test for congress members, the current scandal around George Santos and embezzlement, and much more.
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| Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio) |
"Following changes to federal training requirements for Commercial Driver’s Licenses, the Franklin Department of Public Works has received federal approval of an internal training program, designed to bring in qualified hires while saving money for employees who need a CDL license.The CDL training changes, which took effect last February, require applicants to receive training by an approved trainer prior to taking the CDL test — and the cost for the training can be as much as $10,000. Prior to the changes, and for the last 15 years, the town was able to train employees in-house, according to Public Works Director Brutus Cantoreggi.“It’s very hard to find CDL drivers, so I would hire folks without the license and train them in house,” Cantoreggi said. “It brought in a lot of folks who had permits. … But with the regulation change, we couldn’t find people already licensed for these jobs.”
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| The Franklin Department of Public Works provides internal Commercial Drivers License training for employees. (Photo courtesy town of Franklin) |
A collaboration among Creative Corner Art Studios, Franklin artist Ted Cormier-Leger & 67 Degrees Brewery:
"Join us @67degrees.brew in Franklin for a Valentine’s themed Paint & Sip Night! You must register for the event on our website.We hope to see you there"
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| Register now for the Paint & Sip night at 67 Degrees Brewery - Feb 10 |
"Do you need apparel to raise money for your club? Well, Swing Merch has got you covered!Swing Merch is a student-led custom merchandise platform created by Arav Tyagi and Antonio Marzoratti, two seniors at FHS. Swing Merch allows students to buy a wide variety of merch for their club, including sweatshirts, hoodies, shirts, mugs, notebooks, and tote bags.Arav explained Swing Merch’s mission, “to raise money for the clubs and for clubs to be more unified by wearing matching apparel to show club pride."
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| came up with the idea mid-October 2022 and implemented it in November 2022. Photo used with permission by Antonio Marzoratti. |
