GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Franklin County and the North Quabbin region is the most sparsely populated area of the state, and 23% of citizens here are 65 years of age or older, compared with the overall state percentage of just 17%, according to the Franklin Regional Council of Governments. That combination has created some significant challenges for rural towns like Conway.
“The data point that always that always strikes out at me is the large percentage of seniors in our town that say they were isolated, that they didn’t anyone to call for help. Those are things I would really like us to address,” said Selectboard Chair Phil Kantor.
In response, the FRCOG has created a regional action plan that addresses such senior-related issues as transportation, housing, health services, social inclusion, civic participation, and communication and information.