Manchester commission earmarks luncheon funds for senior transportation; launches age-friendly outreach

Manchester Senior Services Commission members on May 13 heard progress updates on a city transportation project for older adults and on an Age Friendly Action Plan that the Health Department is shepherding, and were told $30,400 raised at the mayor's senior luncheon has been dedicated to the transportation effort.

The Age Friendly work will be built from a consultant-led outreach push this spring, the commission heard. Leanne (Health Department staff) said the city has retained consultant Patrick Tufts and his team to gather data, run focus groups and adapt AARP’s livability survey for Manchester. "The purpose of the Age Friendly Action Plan is...to review what we have available for older adults within the city and compare that to what might be needed under what is an age friendly livability community," Leanne said. The consultant and advisory council aim to draft a plan for presentation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen by July.

The transportation project is tied to that age-friendly work. Leanne described a phased outreach program that will include education sessions, travel-training with "bus buddies" and limited free trial bus passes offered by MTA. The project team plans targeted upgrades at high-use stops—benches or small shelters—using funds set aside from the luncheon and other sources. Leanne said the group will coordinate with MTA, which tracks stop usage, and with other community partners to identify priorities and solicit feedback from older-adult riders.

Emily (Cashin Senior Center staff) described complementary senior-center programming that feeds into outreach: a mobile market starting in June (the first 50 attendees on opening day will receive $10 vouchers), twice-monthly hearing scribe sessions, Tai Chi in the park, and planned travel to a Hampton Beach Sandcastle event. Emily told the commission, "our attendance is up about 30% from last year," and staff are adding volunteer roles to support programming and reduce staff workload.

Commissioners discussed operational details and logistics. Members asked whether MTA coordinates with the city on snow removal at stops; Leanne said MTA works closely with the Department of Public Works but acknowledged winter access can be uneven and that individual maintenance staff sometimes clear specific stops. The commission also discussed who will lead outreach; Leanne said she expects to continue to coordinate with help from others and from advisory-council partners.

Leanne described the advisory council assembled to vet the Age Friendly materials and help with outreach; it includes representatives from the health department, Manchester Housing, the police department, Granite United Way, Meals on Wheels, Easterseals, AARP and other local organizations. The consultant will use AARP survey material adapted for Manchester and run focus groups at community sites (YMCA, Meals on Wheels, Easterseals and others) through late May.

Commissioners were told of a free MTA group trip planned for June 14 from the senior center to Hampton Beach to coincide with the Sandcastle competition and said sign-ups will be handled through the senior center so MTA can plan how many buses are needed. Leanne said MTA can provide limited-duration free bus passes (for example, 10- or 30-day trial passes) as part of travel-training to encourage sustained ridership.

Commissioners noted next steps: finalize outreach and survey circulation this month, gather results and focus-group feedback, have the consultant draft priorities and present the finished Age Friendly Action Plan to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) for adoption in July. Staff stressed a measured approach to planning so upgrades and policy recommendations are informed by user feedback and MTA data.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the March and April meeting minutes and later adjourned. The March minutes were approved on a motion recorded as moved by Ronnie and seconded by Peter; one member abstained because they were not present at the March meeting. The April minutes were approved on a motion by Mary Lynn, seconded by Peter. The meeting was adjourned on a motion by Mary Lynn, seconded by Ronnie.

Looking ahead, the commission noted a joint meeting with the Health Board set for June 9 at 4:30 p.m. at the senior center; the Age Friendly Action Plan and transportation project materials will be circulated to the commission and to the advisory council prior to presentation to the BMA.