County accepts $624,400 two‑year DOT mobility grant to support volunteer transport for seniors and people with disabilities

Cheshire County commissioners voted April 23 to accept a multi‑year Department of Transportation Section 5310 Regional Coordination (RCC) grant that would provide up to $312,200 per fiscal year (about $624,400 total for two years) with an annual match requirement. The funding is intended to support volunteer‑driver and demand‑response transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Suzanne presented the program (agenda item 1259), explaining the county partners with Southwest Regional Planning Commission, Community Volunteer Transportation Company, HCS and the King Senior Center; most funds are expected to be subgranted to those local providers, while the county would retain a modest indirect amount for administration. Staff said the program has been run for years and that the regional mobility manager helps coordinate rides across roughly 35 towns to reduce service overlap and to route specialized accessible trips.

Commissioners moved and approved the acceptance and authorized the county signatory to execute the agreement. Commissioners recorded yes votes for Clark, Stewart and De Bernardo.

Why it matters: The grant supports wheelchair‑accessible and demand‑response transportation in a rural area where private transit options are limited. Staff noted local providers carry heavy wheelchair service loads and that the grant helps maintain service capacity by covering driver costs and by funding coordination activities.

Next steps: County staff will sign the agreement if the award is finalized and will subgrant funds to the listed providers. Staff said they will coordinate with local providers such as Smart Ride to improve revenue opportunities for heavy‑lift services and to ensure the RCC executive board and subcommittees continue to coordinate coverage across towns.