All aboard: The ‘world’ will open for seniors, vets
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — A few years in the making, the town’s bus service for its senior citizens and veterans is ready to hit the road.
Putnam Recreation Department Director James Callaghan said the service is already underway.
He said: “Since starting in my position, I have heard from countless residents about the need for a program like this from varying perspectives. From wishing they could go to a Senior program, but do not have a ride, to them having to constantly reschedule important doctor appointments in town because they cannot get a ride.”
He added: “This program is great for Putnam, and it has been a pleasure working with Economic Development Director Mary Ann Chinatti, who wrote the grant, and Veterans Agent Rob Challinor who is handling the veterans’ side. We are thankful to Senior Resources for this opportunity, and are looking forward to serving Putnam’s seniors!”
Chinatti said the $23,900 grant the town received through Agency on Aging Senior Resources covers this pilot program. “We wanted to help seniors (age 60 and older) that don’t have access to transportation to get to appointments, errands, events in town.”
The grant covers the salaries for the drivers.
Chinatti said that was a one-time grant. She said: “Challinor has already begun working on incorporating it into his next FY budget, as we think it will be so successful we will use all the funds prior to the December 2026 deadline.
The program is officially running, Callaghan said, starting with applications. “To schedule a ride; interested riders must first fill out an application. This ensures that we have the relevant rider information (emergency contact, mobility aid needs, etc.) on file. If interested riders cannot get a physical application form, they can call the Parks and Recreation office at (860) 963-6811 for assistance. After completing the application, riders can call the Parks and Recreation Office at (860) 963-6811 to schedule a ride, preferably at least a week in advance, and no further than 2 months out.
The application must be completed and returned to the Putnam Recreation Office in order for you to be eligible to schedule a ride.
He said once the application has been received and approved, riders may call the Putnam Recreation Department to schedule a ride at (860) 963-6811. The hours for rides are 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; and 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays.
Initial pickup time no earlier than 9:30 a.m. Return pickup time Mondays and Wednesdays no later than 2:30 p.m. Return pickup time Friday no later than 12:30 p.m. It is a curb-to-curb service and the driver cannot enter your residence – an aide must accompany you if you need assistance. The bus can transport walkers, canes, wheelchairs but not electric scooters or bikes.
The town has one driver available right now for senior rides. Callaghan said: “With the one van currently operating, we are prioritizing medical appointments to start but will fit in shopping requests if we have the space in the schedule. When our additional drivers are ready, we plan to have one van running for medical appointments, and one van running for shopping trips. We hope to have our other drivers ready soon once their paperwork is complete.”
He added, “When the veterans’ program gets started, the planned goal is to shuttle veterans to their VA appointments in Worcester and Providence on Tuesdays and Thursdays respectively.”
Callaghan said, “As with all new programs, things may change as we find what works and does not work. Any major changes will be communicated to our riders, and we plan to take feedback from riders once we are fully underway. “
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caption, page 4:
Senior Ann Russo went on a test run. Courtesy photo.
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