Manchester senior center reports rising participation; plans bus training and 30-day passes funded from luncheon donations

The Manchester Senior Services Commission heard a report April 15 at the Cashin Senior Center on expanding programs and rising participation among older residents, and commissioners agreed to use funds collected for the mayor’s senior luncheon to support travel training and 30‑day bus passes for older riders.

Emily, a senior center staff member, told commissioners that ticket sales for the mayor’s senior luncheon — scheduled for May 7 at noon — have begun and can be purchased at the senior center or the health department. She reported program highlights including a dental van visit that served nearly 30 members over about three and a half days with two hygienists; an April 10 presentation by the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester attended by more than 30 people; new hearing‑screening dates; regularly scheduled police walks for seniors; and volunteer recognition events during April’s volunteer appreciation month.

“Last year, we did see quite a lot of increase in many different areas…we're up, probably close to 15%,” Emily said, summarizing year‑over‑year increases in center use and urging expansion of volunteer capacity to support programming.

Amy, the commission’s finance presenter, said the commission is entering its last fiscal quarter and described two accounts: a rollover account holding funds previously reserved for the mayor’s senior luncheon, and a PDIP account. Amy reported the PDIP account as “66425” in the meeting transcript; the rollover account balance as stated in the meeting was unclear. She described transportation survey results from a collaboration with MTA: 260 surveys of residents age 50 and older were completed. Of respondents, 86% reported access to a vehicle; about 12% reported using the bus to get to work; and several respondents said they would use transit if offered a 30‑day pass. Based on the survey, staff proposed education and travel‑training sessions to teach older riders how to use the bus system and QR resources at stops.

Commissioners discussed targeting services to errands and grocery trips, which survey respondents cited most frequently, and asked about the proportion of riders who use transit for work. Amy said 12% use the bus for work but noted the survey was limited to respondents age 50 and older.

As part of the transportation effort, Amy said funds collected for the mayor’s luncheon would be used to provide travel training and to offer 30‑day bus passes to encourage ridership; the center will also operate a free trip to Hampton Beach on June 14 tied to the Sand Castle Competition weekend, with preregistration. Amy said the fare for older adults is $1 per ride (half fare).

Other program details Emily and staff reported include upcoming Friends of the Cashin Senior Center events — a Johnny Cash tribute at the Palace in May, two shows at the Majestic, and a Fisher Cats game in May — and the return in June of Fresh Start Farms’ mobile market. The Friends agreed to provide $10 vouchers for the first 50 members at the mobile market. Emily said a Ben & Jerry’s truck sponsored by the Friends will visit once a month from April through October, beginning this Friday at 2:00 p.m. She also described a volunteer grant effort with Volunteer New Hampshire and a consultant; team members will attend the Volunteer New Hampshire governor’s conference in May.

The senior center’s front landscaping has been cleared for a pocket pollinator garden; staff said a groundbreaking to plant the garden is tentatively scheduled for May 19, weather permitting.

Commissioners noted program growth and discussed whether additional staffing would be needed in the future beyond volunteer support. Emily and other staff said budgets are currently level and volunteer recruitment remains a priority.

The commission delayed approval of the March meeting minutes until members who attended that meeting are present; no public comments were received at the April 15 meeting. The commission tentatively scheduled its next meeting for May 13 at 9:30 a.m. and later approved a motion to adjourn.

Votes at a glance: the meeting recorded a procedural decision to delay approval of minutes until the May meeting, a tentative scheduling of the next meeting for May 13 at 9:30 a.m., and a motion to adjourn moved by Mary Lynn that passed by voice vote (“all in favor, aye”).