New from MassBudget: Value of Minimum Wage is Eroded Quickly by Inflation

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Value of Minimum Wage is Eroded Quickly by Inflation Restoring the value of the minimum wage can be an effective way to reward work and help low wage workers support themselves and their families. Adjusted for inflation, the minimum wage was $10.86 an hour in 1968. Today it is just over $8.00 an hour. That means that while a full time minimum wage worker made over $21,000 a year in 1968, such a worker makes only $16,000 today. Several proposals have been made recently to restore the value of the minimum wage. This Facts At A Glance, Value of the Minimum Wage is Eroded Quickly by Inflation, examines those proposals, shown in the graph below. Each proposal would increase the minimum in two or three steps to $10.50 or $11. To understand how close each proposal comes to restoring the value of the minimum wage, it is important to account for the effects of inflation. If costs are rising by 2 percent a year, then $10 next year will buy about the same amount of goods and services as can be bought for $9.80 this year. In other words, $10 next year will be worth about $9.80 in today's dollars -- because costs go up each year. Using CBO inflation projections, we find that an $11 wage in 2016 would be worth $10.43 in today's dollars, and a $10.50 wage in that year would be worth $10.07 in today's dollars. If the minimum wage is not adjusted for inflation each year after the final step of an increase, then the value will decline each year the cost of living rises. Read THIS PAPER The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Two Great Networking Opportunities for You

United Regional Chamber of Commerce   In the next couple of weeks, The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is offering two great networking opportunities. Please join us at one or both of them! Thursday, May 15 Business After Hours  5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Attleboro Enterprises, 284 John Dietsch Blvd.,  North Attleborough Join us for this fun, annual Business After Hours  $5 for members and $10 for non-members Register Here! Thursday, May 22 Networking Before 9 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Personal Best Karate, 250 East Main St., Norton Enjoy a continental breakfast while networking $5 for members and $10 for non-members Register Here!

Forward email  Privacy Policy. The United Regional Chamber of Commerce | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703

Franklin Library: Calendar of events for May 2014

Want all the Library events for the month of May? download and print out this calendar from the Library!




For additional info on the Library visit their page on the Franklin website
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/index

The Library space needs assessment presentation can be found here:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/libpre.pdf

The Library Strategic Plan can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/FPL%20Strategic%20Plan%20FY%202014-2019.pdf

Franklin Library events

Franklin Art Association - May 17-18

The spring show for the Franklin Art Association will be held May 17-18 at Dean College

Spring Art Exhibit - May 17-18

The Guidry Center
Dean College
109 West Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038
http://www.dean.edu

Saturday May 17th 12 PM to 8 PM
Sunday May 18th 12 PM to 3 PM



This exhibit is free and open to the public and includes:

• The exhibit and sale of fine art paintings and photographs
• Bin sales of original works of art and prints
• Complementary food and beverages

For more about the Franklin Art Association you can visit their webpage here  http://www.franklinart.org/

Norfolk County Register of Deeds - June 5th

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell will hold Office Hours in the Town Council Chamber at Franklin Town Hall located at 355 East Central Street from 10:00am until 12:00pm on Thursday June 5, 2014. 

Register O’Donnell and members of his staff will be on hand to answer questions about the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. The Register will have information about the Massachusetts Homestead Act as well as on-site work stations that can provide in real time the status of your mortgage discharge, a print out of your deed or a demonstration of how Registry technology works. No appointment is necessary. 

This is a community outreach initiative sponsored by the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. It is Register O’Donnell’s goal to provide a convenient way for residents to learn more about how the Registry serves Norfolk County while conducting Registry business closer to home. 

Although Registry staff cannot provide legal advice, they will be able to answer basic questions, provide general information, take a document for recording and assist in filling out Homestead Declaration Forms. 

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives like us at Facebook.com/Norfolk Deeds or follow us on twitter.com/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, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Department via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org.

Franklin Municipal Building

Elks Care Elks Share 5K - Results (photo essay)

Cort Francis and Kerry Walsh were first male and first female finishers of the Elks Care Elks Share 5K road race and walk on Saturday, May 10.  The funds raised by the Elks from this race will benefit the Franklin Food Pantry and the Wounded Warriors Project

The finish line

The National Anthem before the race/walk

Race Director Steve Niland with last minute instructions before the race

And they're off!

1st male - Cort Francis

1st female - Kerry Walsh

The full listing of results from the race can be found here
http://racewire.com/live_results.php?id=3650

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 14, 2014

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Ryan Jette, Director Recreation Department

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-05: Appropriation: Fire Detail Account
2. Resolution 14-36: Issuing Alcoholic Beverages (Package Store) Licenses Policy
3. Bylaw Amendment 14-736:Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 1st Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
– Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

Franklin Municipal Building

The documents released for this agenda can be found on the Franklin webpage here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/051414.pdf

Planning Board - Meeting Agenda - May 12, 2014

The Planning Board is scheduled to meet on Monday, May 12 in the Council Chambers at 7:00 PM

The published agenda for this meeting can be viewed here:

Franklin Municipal Building

Transition dates for the new high school

During the School Committee meeting on Apr 29, the high school administration provided an update on the new PISA Assessment, the findings from their Alumni Survey and the transition from the old to new building.


Key dates for the move from the current FHS to the new FHS

April Vacation - Moving Crates delivered to classrooms
April 30 - Movers meet w/ Staff
May 1 to June 20 - Staff packing
June 12 - Student Celebration
June 13 - Final Exams Begin
June 19 - Movers begin move of Field House & K Wing
June 25 - Last Day FHS is open for Business
June 26 to July 6 - All FHS Offices Closed for Business
July 7 - FHS Guidance, Summer School & Athletics open at Horace Mann
July 7 to 13 - FHS Admin remains closed (FHS Admin relocated to new school)
July 7 - Furniture and Equipment delivery begins (official end date August 14)
July 14 - FHS Admin Offices open at new school (all meetings, visitors at Horace Mann)
**July 25 - Substantial Completion - Building turned over to Franklin
August 4 - Technology Set Up Begins
August 11 to 15 - High School Experience @ HMMS
August 15 - Grade 9 Tour/Orientation of FHS*
August 18 - Grade 12 Tour/Orientation of FHS*
August 19 - Grade 11 Tour/Orientation of FHS*
August 20 - Grade 10 Tour/Orientation of FHS*
August 28 - Staff return to School  Prof Dev Day
September 3 - School begins for students

*Dates corrected with info here
http://franklinhigh.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinHS_News/01DA8BA5-000F8513


What will the new high school do for the Franklin population numbers? If the enrollment is an indication, it will be an attraction:

Enrollment 2013-14: 1627Projected Enrollment 2014-15: 1730 (+100 students)

The full 25 page presentation document can be viewed here:




or also found on the Franklin Schools webpage:
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_News/01D4FFE7-000F8513.0/FHS%20Update%204.29.14.pdf

photo of new FHS building main entrance (white tower) and principal's office (round tower)

Reminder - Blood Drive - June 7

Please join us for a Blood Drive 

blood drive

Saturday, June 7, 2014

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Franklin United Methodist Church

82 West Central Street

Franklin, MA 02038

positive id required

Boston Children's Hospital - Blood Donor Center

This Blood Drive is in honor of Oak Street Elementary Student Noah Smith 

To make an appointment please log onto halfpints.childrenshospital.org 

Sponsor code for this drive is FRMETHCH or call Susan Touhey at 508-404-6914

Franklin Library: May Book Sale

The May Book sale is scheduled for the Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.

Book Sale - Saturday, May 24 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

• Classical music will be available from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM 

• Touch a Truck is scheduled for 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM 

Bag Sale - Sunday, May 25 from 9:00 AM to noon

Franklin Library Book and Bag Sale - May 2014

http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/05/may-book-sale.html

Spring Curbside - Yard Waste Pickup

The last Spring Curbside yard waste pick up is next week and starts May 12. 

Pickup will be on your normal trash day. 

Please see Annual Mailer for details and other important information.

Franklin Dept of Public Works

The curbside mailer can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01D60678-000F8513.0/WM_00218_Franklin%206pg_rWEB%202.pdf

Franklin Village Photo - closeout sale

More changes on the retail front. Franklin Village Photo is having a closeout sale

Franklin Village Photo

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 5/9/14 - THU 5/15/14

FRI 5/9   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked - Franklin Art Center

SAT 5/10   Stamp Out Hunger Community Drive via US Postal Service. Please leave your donations for Franklin Food Pantry at your mailboxes.
SAT 5/10   8am-1pm   Bottle and Can Drive to benefit the FHS All Night Party, Franklin High School Parking Lot.
SAT 5/10   10am   Elks Care, Elks Share 5K Race/Walk, Elks Lodge Franklin
SAT 5/10   1:30pm   Coffee and Craft for Adults: Zentangle, Franklin Public Library
SAT 5/10   8pm   Concert: Ellis and Joe Crookson, First Universalist Society, Franklin

SUN 5/11   HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

THU 5/15   6pm   Kindergarten Information Night at JF Kennedy and Hellen Keller Elementary Schools

For more details on above events click HERE and select the event of interest.

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Senior Center update to Town Council

Here is the presentation copy used for the update at the Town Council meeting on Weds, May 7.

Franklin Senior Center - Update for May 2014 from Franklin Matters

Thanks to Karen Alves for sharing the copy.

For additional information on the Senior Center check out their Franklin webpage here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index

Mobile Vision Clinic - Jun 6