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Date: 8/18/2020
WESTERN MASS. – As the 2020 Census continues, Easthampton is able to boast one of the strongest response rates in the state.
Mayor Nicole LaChapelle told Reminder Publishing that as of the last update she received, just under 74 percent of households had responded, placing the city in the top-3 among municipalities.
“I’d love to see 80 percent,” she said, adding 100 percent participation is always the goal. “I had concerns about outreach in terms of COVID-19 and how that would affect it, but so far, so good. I think the fact that there are so many ways to respond helps a lot.”
Canvasers are now going out into communities attempting to solicit responses from those who have not yet submitted theirs and the mayor stressed the importance of participating.
“It influences what kind of money we receive for Title 1, food programs, Community Development Block Grants and public safety equipment,” she said. “It also is important for determining state and federal programs for elders and education.”
LaChapelle added the funding that can be achieved through accurate census data helps the city absorb unforseen expenses.
“Every dollar counts these days,” she said. “Who would have thought a year ago that plexiglass would be like gold? No one.”
Additionally, LaChapelle explained the data gives public officials insight on who is living in the city and helps prioritize laws and ordinance establishment and review.
Southampton Town Clerk Luci Dalton said he has not received any feedback from state officials on the 2020 Census.
However, she did stress the local street listing, also known as the local census, had a very good rate of return.
Acknowledging there were still others who have not responded potentially because of the level of personal information sought, it was important to complete it.
“All the returned ones are put into the system and it helps with population numbers when applying for grants and other funding,” she said. “For those who want to enroll their children in school, it is a form of residency. For those who do not return their census form and still live in town, it could risk your status as an active or inactive voter.”
A request for information from the Westhampton Town Clerk’s Office was not returned as of press time.