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Board hears update on MBTA grant application for accessible vehicle and driver; staff say they are "fingers crossed"
Summary
Staff told the Lynn Council on Aging board the MBTA grant application for an accessible vehicle and driver remains pending; they said early outreach suggested a strong application but award notices are late and staff will inform the board when notified.
Megan, senior center staff, updated the board on a pending MBTA grant application to fund an accessible vehicle and/or a permanent driver. "We were supposed to hear in December. We have not heard," she said, adding that staff had provided additional documentation at the agency's request and were optimistic about the application.
The board discussed the practical implications if the grant is awarded: a second accessible vehicle would allow two morning/afternoon transit loops and potentially new scheduled shopping or outing trips for seniors. "One of the goals of having at least another driver is that we can have 2 loops going in the morning and the afternoon," Megan said, describing how staffing and vehicle capacity could let the center expand pick-up times and destination options.
Board members asked whether the MBTA funding request covered vehicle purchase, driver costs, or both; Megan replied the application included two separate grants covering a vehicle and a driver. A board member said other nearby communities have larger fleets because they operate adult day health programs that receive MassHealth support for transportation; staff said Lynn does not receive those same program-based transportation funds.
The board also discussed local outreach and potential private donations to address the transportation gap. Megan said she would ask the city attorney to clarify rules on direct fundraising and voluntary donations before soliciting businesses or accepting vehicle donations. "I will ask attorney Lamont... if he's interested in coming to our next meeting, and he can go over some of that stuff," Megan said.
No motion or financial commitment was made during the meeting; staff will report back to the board when MBTA award notifications are received and after obtaining counsel on fundraising policies.
