MassBudget: New census data for Massachusetts - income up slightly, poverty unchanged

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. New Data for Massachusetts: Median Income Up Slightly, Poverty Unchanged  The Massachusetts median income grew slightly between 2011 and 2012, while nationwide median income was basically unchanged, according to new data released today by the Census Bureau. Even with the slight increase in Massachusetts, however, our median income remains 5.4 percent below its pre-recession level. Our factsheet, New Census Data on Income, Poverty, Health, and Child Well-Being, summarizes the latest information across each of these areas: Poverty: There was no improvement in the statewide poverty level, which has increased substantially since 2007. Child Poverty: More than 1 in 7 children currently live below the poverty line. Health Coverage: Massachusetts continues to have the highest rate of health insurance coverage--for children and for the population as a whole Read NEW CENSUS DATA ON INCOME, POVERTY, HEALTH, AND CHILD WELL-BEING 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

Good News from Franklin Federated Church

Hi Steve -

I thought you might be interested in including a piece in Franklin Matters about the new bench in front of Franklin Federated Church. There is an interesting story behind it.
 

Franklin Federated Church - Sidney Maxwell bench

Early in the year, the church lost a beloved member Sidney Maxwell.  Sidney was very wll known in the church for his calling to care for the environment, and after his death, The Rev. Charley Eastman challenged each member of the congregation to find "one substantive way to give health to the Earth in Sidney's honor."

A member of the church, Deb Colella, took him up on that and decided to sign the church up for the Trex Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge.The goal was for the church to collect more than 30,000 plastic bags for recycling in a six-month period from Feb. 15 to Aug. 15. This included grocery bags, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, packaging film,, etc. The idea was not to encourage church members to use plastic, but rather to show how much of it comes through our lives and how important it is to recycle it. 

Church members and friends brought the bags to worship each week, and delivered them to Colella, who with the help of family and friends counted and then recycle them all. The Sunday School children got involved counting them (and sometimes popping bubble wrap, much to their delight).The church beat its goal by one month, collecting over 30,000 bags by mid-July. 

Trex awarded the church the composite bench (made partially from recycled plastic) which was recently installed on the lawn in front of the church. 

I'm attaching a photo of the bench, although you may want to take a better one yourself when you are out and about.

Tiffany Vail Miller
Communication Coordinator
Franklin Federated Church

In the News: Joey Kramer, RMV Milford, mountain lion

Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer stops in Franklin

Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer stopped at the Big Y Wednesday in Franklin to promote his organic coffee bean company called Rockin' & Roastin'.

Legislators ask RMV head to save Milford branch

In an effort to keep open the Milford branch, state Sen. Richard Moore and state Rep. John Fernandes met with the head of the Registry of Motor Vehicles last week to raise their concerns about the potential closure.

Caller reports seeing a mountain lion on I-495

A woman reported seeing a mountain lion on the median of I-495 in Milford just north of Exit 20 today a little after 1 p.m.

Franklin - Open Committee/Board Positions

The following Boards/Committees are looking for members:

Conservation Commission - Kathy Celorier - 508-520-4929

Franklin Cultural Council - Claire Griffin - 508-520-8857

Library Board of Directors - Felicia Oti - 508-520-4940

Franklin Housing Trust Fund - Maxine Kinhart - 508-553-4886

Public Land Use Committee - Beth Dahlstrom - 508-553-4852

If you are interested in serving on the committee, please complete the attached form and return to the Town Administrator's Office.

http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01B2AF2D-000F8513.0/TOWN%20OF%20FRANKLIN%20VOLUNTEER%20FORM.pdf

Annual "Fight Hunger" Paintball Challenge 2013

Where: FOX 4 Paintball Field - 159 Milford Street, Upton, MA 01568

Email: Dave Painter (dave@fox4paintball.com)

Phone: 508-529-FOX4 (3694)

When: Saturday, September, 21^st 2013

Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm

RAIN OR SHINE!

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!

A raffle for a Paintball rifle

A portion of the admission price will be donated to the Franklin Food Pantry.

We will be taking contributions of Non-Perishable items and Dry Goods the day of the event.

Donations can also be made directly to the drop off box at:

Franklin Food Pantry
43 West Central Street
P.O. Box 116
Franklin, MA 02038-0116
Telephone: 508-528-3115

new phone book coming

Judith Needell, publisher/owner of The Shopper News, writes:

We are creating a new Franklin Telephone Directory and Resource Guide that will be published in Spring 2014 and mailed out to all town homes and businesses. As an extra incentive to our clients to help give back to their community and as a great benefit to your organization we are also donating 5% of all net ad sales to the Franklin Food Pantry. Seems timely as I've just read your article on the Franklin Matters website that the Food Pantry could use more assistance. For your reference I have attached a PDF with an overview of our new project that we will be sending out to potential advertisers.

Judith Needell, publisher/owner
The Shopper News
"The Shopper with a heart"

Office:

19 Dean Avenue
Franklin,ma 02038

JudithNeedell@me.com

Partnership Fall Luncheon - Friday, Sep 20

Partnership Fall Networking Luncheon

Friday, September 20th  at 1:00

Dean College Campus Center Dining Hall

$6.50 for a great lunch and good company!

Come meet new members!

Bring your business cards!

Please RSVP Joel Carrara at

jcarrara@printsmartoffice.com

MassBudget: New Census Data: Incomes Still Below Pre-Recession Level, Poverty Still Above

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Incomes Still Below Pre-Recession Level, Poverty Still Above New information released by the Census Bureau today shows that in the U.S., median household income has fallen 8.3 percent since 2007, the year before the recession began. There was essentially no change in median incomes between 2011 and 2012, meaning that while incomes have not started to rebound, they did not decline further. Also included in the Census data was information about poverty and health insurance coverage in the U.S. Between 2011 and 2012, the percentage of people lacking health insurance fell slightly to 15.4%. That still leaves 48 million uninsured. Across the country, more than 1 in every 5 children lives below the poverty line. 46.5 million people live in poverty. That's a poverty rate of 15.0 percent, which is effectively unchanged from last year but still significantly higher than the pre-recession rate of 12.5 percent. The data in today's release provide a useful overview of poverty, income, and health coverage on the national level. Thursday (9/19) the Census Bureau will release more reliable state-level data as part of the American Community Survey. At that time, MassBudget will provide fuller analysis of the Massachusetts data for income, poverty, child poverty, health insurance, and health insurance coverage for children. The full Census Bureau report is available on their website. Complete analysis of the national trends can be found at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. 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

"we are finally out of the starting blocks"

One of the key areas for cost savings is regionalization of services and the regional emergency dispatch center has been a long time coming.

Franklin, Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham leaders will meet next month to establish a governing board for the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center, also known as the towns’ regional dispatch operation. 

The four communities will share ownership of the center, housed in the Wrentham Public Safety Building. They have already penned an inter-municipal agreement. 

Named after King Phillip, war chief of the Wampanoag Native American tribe, the center will occupy its own district and have its own employees thanks to recently passed legislation.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1868839654/Regional-dispatch-center-for-Franklin-other-towns-out-of-starting-blocks#ixzz2fEhEKSSW


The Long Range Financial Planning Committee included this item among their recommendations
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/franklin-ma-long-range-financial.html

"tested positive for the West Nile Virus"

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has isolated mosquitoes in central Franklin that have tested positive for the West Nile Virus. 

To date, there has been one human case of West Nile Virus and one case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Norfolk County.

All individuals are strongly advised to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites until the first hard frost of the season. 

Apply Insect Repellent When Outdoors: Use a repellent with DEET, Permethrin, picardin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product labels. Remember not to use products with DEET on infants under two months of age. DEET products in concentrations above 30% should not be used on older children. Oil of eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. 

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours: Mosquitos are most active between the hours from dusk to dawn. Limit your exposure out of doors during this peak biting time if possible. If you must be outside, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks will help keep mosquitos away from your skin. 

Drain Standing Water on Your Property: Mosquitos lay their eggs in standing or stagnant water. Drain birdbaths, flower pots, buckets and children’s wading pools frequently. 

Additional public health advisories/alerts regarding WNV and EEE will be provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Franklin Health Department as the situation warrants. 

More information on mosquito-borne viruses can be found at the MADPH Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.

This notice was posted on the Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01BAA5A1-000F8513