Sandown Senior Transport leader to step down; volunteers urged as service seeks scheduler

At the May 18 meeting, Scott Pickford, chair and treasurer of Sandown Senior Transport, told the Board of Selectmen he intends to resign later this year and outlined the program’s operations and needs.

Pickford said the program is an independent nonprofit staffed by volunteer drivers that primarily provides rides to medical appointments but also helps residents get to groceries and pharmacies. He said the group currently has about 16 volunteer drivers (with a 17th pending) and that the program provides roughly 11 rides per month. The program reimburses drivers 40¢ per mile and issues gas cards, funded through donations and interest on a reserve account.

"We give people rides to medical appointments...we have 16 and hopefully after tonight we'll have a 17th, driver," Pickford said, and added that the scheduler role is the program’s most critical need. He offered to train a replacement and said the position does not require advanced bookkeeping skills.

Board members praised the program and discussed ways to keep it operating, including asking the Lions Club and police dispatch to help with communications and recruitment. A board member announced a $100 gift from a Lions Club fund to support the program; the board approved acceptance of the donation by voice vote.

Pickford emphasized that the program is largely volunteer driven and urged residents and civic groups to help. The board said it will work with Pickford on a transition plan and explore options for scheduling and short‑term operational support while volunteers are recruited.

Alternatives such as TripLink and Meals on Wheels were discussed as supplemental resources for errands or grocery trips for qualifying residents; the board encouraged outreach to existing volunteer networks and civic groups.