Franklin Matters

Monday, September 5, 2016

MassBudget: Labor Day report on the State of Working Massachusetts 2016

MassBudget		Information.
MassBudget		Participation.
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center		Democracy.

State of Working Massachusetts: Wage earners saw gains last year, but haven't made up lost ground

Hourly compensation for Massachusetts' low-wage workers rose by 7 percent from 2014-2015, buoyed by an increase in the minimum wage. A new report from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, The State of Working Massachusetts, 2016 Edition, highlights wage gains among all income groups, but notes that low- and middle-income wages in Massachusetts and across the nation have barely grown for decades and remain lower than in 2009.

While long-term national trends are troubling, the report found some good news locally: Massachusetts has both the nation's highest median wage and the best educated workforce (49 percent have a college degree). Looking across the country, the report finds that states with better-educated workforces consistently have higher-wage economies. Comparing cities and towns within Massachusetts shows the same close relationship between the wages and education levels.

The wage growth we see among low-wage workers who are benefiting from the minimum wage increase reminds us of how important public policy can be in improving the economic well-being of working people and their families. The challenge for our Commonwealth is to develop policies that expand opportunity and raise wages for all of our people.

The State of Working Massachusetts 2016 Edition also pinpoints several other Massachusetts economic data points, including:

Wages in Massachusetts grew by 3 percent last year for the broad middle class;
Other states with minimum wage increases also saw higher wage gains for low-income workers;
Massachusetts job growth between 2007 and 2016 has been among the strongest in the nation;
Child poverty rates in Massachusetts are below the national average and have begun to decline, but 1-in-7 children remain in poverty, a higher level than before the recession.
Among adults without disabilities whose incomes were less than 125 percent of the poverty level, the vast majority (71 percent) work at least part-time.

The link to the MassBudget report is here.

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

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108

Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with

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Schedule to donate blood at the Elks this Thursday, Sep 8

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

The American Red Cross will support 9/11 Day by offering the community an opportunity to honor those who lost their lives and those who responded following the events of Sept. 11. Interested individuals can volunteer or donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross and help ensure blood is available for patients in need.

9/11 Day was launched in 2002 as an annual day of service to honor the victims and heroes of Sept. 11. Since then, the observance has evolved into the largest annual day of charitable engagement in the U.S. and was designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance by the U.S. Congress in 2009.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood; regular donations are needed. Blood and platelet donors of all types are urged to give.

The following local blood donation opportunities will take place:

2-7 p.m. Sept. 8, Franklin Elks, 1077 Pond St., Franklin.

1-6 p.m. Sept. 16, Answer is Fitness, 7 Lincoln Road, Foxborough.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160904/red-cross-to-hold-911-day-blood-donation-opportunities

Schedule your appointment to donate blood online
http://www.redcrossblood.org/

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/donation-process#t1

Learn more about the blood donation process here

Franklin Girl Scouts Info Session = Sep 6

http://www.gsema.org/en/about-girl-scouts/join.html

"Girl Scouting is for girls in grades K-12. With the guidance of adult volunteers, Girl Scouts earn badges, explore the outdoors, attend fun events and field trips, and participate in the Girl Scout cookie program.

Visit gsema.org/join and click JOIN TODAY. Complete the GIRL REGISTRATION page, click CONTINUE and follow the instructions to search for a Girl Scout troop. Select a troop and complete the membership payment."

Tuesday, September 6, 7:00 PM
St. Mary Parish, One Church Square, Franklin

Enjoy the Labor Day holiday

Parmenter sign acknowledges no school on Monday Sep 5 for Labor Day and announces a PCC meeting on Sep 8 and a Welcome Breakfast on Sep 9.

Parmenter sign acknowledges no school on Monday Sep 5 for Labor Day

For more about the Parmenter schedule, visit their webpage

http://parmenterelementary.vt-s.net/Pages/index

For more about the other schools in Franklin, visit the District page here

http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/index

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Town office closed Monday, trash delayed one day this week

"Residents- Please remember Trash and Recycling will be delayed a day due to the Labor Day Holiday on Mon Sept 5th."

https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/771348632339611648

trash and recycling by the roadside as required

pic.twitter.com/Q48gjYsKT5
— Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) September 1, 2016

Black Knot Disease at Dacey Field

"In August 2016, Conservation Commission staff discovered Black Knot Tree Disease on various Black Cherry trees at Dacey Field. The most impacted areas consist of dense Eastern White Pine stands with Black Cherry trees mixed in.

The ‘Nature Walk’ section of Dacey has many infected trees. Black Knot is a disease caused by fungal parasite, Trichothecium roseum, and leaves charcoal-like lumps on branches and twigs of trees, especially trees in the Prunus family.

The disease can bring leaf wilt and also death of leaves, twigs, branches, and even the entire tree. Winter management efforts include pruning and sanitation of trees that have not been heavily impacted. The infected branches and twigs should be burned, buried, or removed from the site eliminate the spread of the disease.

Fungicides have been used successfully in severely impacted areas. It is recommended that an experienced arborist explore Dacey to determine how severely the disease has spread throughout the forest before management efforts are made. From a quick run through, more than half the Black Cherry trees observed were infected."

black knot disease photo from American Phytopathological Society

References:

http://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/intropp/lessons/fungi/ascomycetes/pages/blackknot.aspx

http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/plant_pathology_and_ecology/black_knot_of_ornamental_plum_and_cherry_4-02-08r.pdf

http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/black-knot/

This information was shared from the Town of Franklin page

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024BA541-000F8513

For more info about the Conservation Commission, visit their page

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Conservation/index

Social Media Roundup: scam alert, drug that kills, rain garden tour, golf fund raiser

Items that I saved from my Facebook feed that seemed share worthy. You likely realize that everyone's Facebook feed is unique to themselves. What you see is not what someone else sees. The continuous Facebook algorithm changes makes it hard for groups to get their message to a broad audience without having to pay to "boost the post". Hence, from time to time, I'll share what I find that makes sense for Franklin to be aware of.