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06/25/2025 NRPC RCC7 Meeting

Video

Morning everybody.
>> Just want to let you know that if you're
talking in the room that you are muted
on the Zoom so none of us can hear you.
went over the edge here.
>> Okay. Can you hear us now?
>> Yes, we can.
>> Okay.
>> Thanks, Mike.
>> And James, you were saying
>> I went over the edge the first year
they've been
>> and not not since then.
Uh, so we we think we we just called the
meeting to order a moment ago before we
unmuted and we were just commenting on
the successful United Way jumping off
the building thing.
>> Thank you, Matt. I appreciate that.
Um, is there a note up there that just
popped up?
>> Yeah. So,
>> AI noteaker.
>> The AI. Yeah. Okay. Let's get rid of
that. Um,
>> so,
>> so just just for the record, we don't
ever call that jumping off the building.
>> I did use the word repel. I used to
repel on that too, Mike.
>> I don't explain.
>> I would call it.
>> Yeah.
>> Um, and congrats to I think Opportunity
Networks for another success over at the
Nash recently. So, if Rocky comes here,
we'll give him a little round of
applause. Um, that certainly is going to
help their bottom line um in the great
work that they do um with their clients
as well as around inter regional
transportation for their members and
clients. Um, and I think there's one
more congrats out there too to NRPC.
I believe you have a successful grant
application with New Hampshire
Charitable Foundation for the opioid
abatement program. Yeah, Donna is going
to talk about that in a little bit.
>> Okay, we'll talk about that a little
bit, but congratulations on on getting
that. We look forward to getting a copy
of the um information about it down the
road.
>> Anyways, um so moving on with
introductions, let's start with Matt and
come around this way today.
>> Hey, Matt Wakens. I'm staff here at NRPC
>> Salem Quinn NRPC. Don Maso, the regional
mobility manager here at NRPC for the
RCC7.
Carol Toddsk, recently retired from New
Hampshire Department of Health and Human
Services, Bureau of Emergency
Preparedness, Response, Recovery, 20
years of doing emergency planning and
response. So, I'm still very vested in
this and would like to learn more about
what you are doing and more about
transportation issues across the state.
Um, Tina Madina from Lry Healthare,
>> James FY, caregivers,
>> Beth Bro, caregivers,
>> and Lu Pandolf, director of
transportation at Easter Seals,
>> John Pere from the Gate City Bike Co-op,
>> Little Air, Voices of Major Drive,
>> Maryanne Gamash, Greater National Mental
Health,
>> Carrie Miller from National Transit,
>> Emma Reric at RPC,
>> Mike
>> Mikeberg with the United Way and I have
to drop off at 10:30. So, sorry about
that.
>> Okay. So, noted. Um, Sandra, hi, welcome
back.
>> Hi. Good morning. Sandra Delosa, town of
Marramax welfare department.
>> Thank you. Good to good to kind of see
you.
>> Non.
Hi, this is Nani Auano of the M Street
United Methodist Church and the
Nashville Area Interfaith Council plus
others. Thank you.
>> Ben,
>> good morning. Ben Herbert, region 8
mobility manager
>> and Jim.
>> Jim as in James.
>> Yes,
>> Jim is fine. I I just says James, so I
want to make sure it was me. Uh, Jim
Lee, Harbor Care Veteran Services and
the Homeless Veterans Reintegration
Program.
>> Thank you very much. And I can't read
the James down there, but I'm reading
Jim off of another list. So,
>> that's perfect. Jim is fine.
>> There you go. Well, welcome everyone and
thank you all for taking the time to
come. We've got some business to attend
to that is a must for today. Um, and
then hope we can have some additional
discussions.
Um, on the agenda, first up is the May
2026 meeting minutes. I hope everyone
had a chance to review them. If you have
any changes or corrections, I think now
is the time to share that.
>> I'll make a motion to approve the
minutes.
>> Anyone second? Any more further
discussion?
>> All right. Um,
>> Mike, Mike seconded it.
Well, I didn't see his hand, but that's
okay. Whatever you want.
>> It was my voice. I said yes. I second.
>> Um, any discussion? Any further changes?
All right. Roll call vote. Sandra,
>> I'm going to abstain.
>> Okay. Um, Carrie,
>> yes.
>> Marian,
>> yes. Bill.
>> Mike,
>> pardon me. No, wrong one. Sorry, Mr.
Pere. Don,
>> y
>> there you go.
>> Um, SVTC. Yes.
>> Yes.
>> PC. Soup. Great. Thank you very much.
Um, the next item on the agenda is again
the two-year cycle of election of
officers and confirmation of two
designated representatives. At the last
meeting, we presented a slate of
officers
um all who of whom volunteered to do
another two-year stint. Um we had no
nominations from the floor and no email
since then of anyone who was interested
in in in
joining the group or having a role. Um
so the slate is myself as chairperson,
Carrie Miller as vice chair, and Matt
Wakens as secretary.
Um any discussion? If not, can I have a
Oh, why are you cringing?
>> Me? No, I'm not.
>> Is that a yawn?
>> Sorry.
I'm fine. I'm just yawning.
>> Wrong war morning so far. Sorry about
>> Um
>> motion to accept the slate as presented.
>> Second by
>> second Angelique.
>> Third by Mary Anne. Great. Love it.
>> All right. Um any discussion? Anything
else? Any other nominations?
>> Okay, so roll call vote. Sandra,
>> Carrie,
>> Maryanne,
>> Bill,
>> Don,
>> Janet, SVTC. Carol told me to say yes.
>> Angelique,
>> Givers, NRPC,
>> yes. Do we need Mike from United Way?
>> Oh, Mike. Sorry, Mike.
>> Here we go. All right. We have two
individuals who have voiced their
interest in being on the executive
committee again and that is James
Wilkkey and Rocky Morelli. Is there
anyone else who is interested?
Again, we heard nothing at the last
meeting and nothing in between.
Can I have a motion to approve these two
gentlemen?
>> Matt Matt's moving it. Who wants to
second? Bill is going to second. All
right. Any other discussion?
>> Stephanie.
>> Hi.
>> Good. You want to sign in? We got
paperwork here. And please help
yourself. We've got bagels. And
>> I was here early. Nobody knew. My
husband, but good morning everybody.
>> And you are
>> Stephanie Misho
>> from
>> I'm with the Southern New Hampshire
Rescue Mission. I spoke to Donna.
>> Thank you.
All right. So, we have a motion to
approve the executive committee members
on the floor. It's been seconded. Um,
roll call vote and we'll start with
Matt.
>> James.
>> Um,
>> you want to abstain?
>> I should say.
>> Yes. Yes.
>> Mike.
>> Sandra. Yes.
>> Super. Okay. Thank you very much. And
more than likely the executive committee
will attempt to meet next month.
>> But anyways,
>> remind
>> you remind me. Thank you. Well, it's it
it's got to be well before or well after
the Milford Rotary swim meet because
we're going to be priorities
>> deep in the end of the pool by then. Not
not repelling off of buildings, but you
know
All right. So, the next item on the
agenda is something that kind of popped
up. Um, and Matt's going to speak to
this. So, review and approval of
proposed gentle care rights rate
adjustments for FY27.
And this is actually going to go
retroactive to the beginning of the
fiscal year for the two-year cycle. So,
it really is going to cover FY26 and
FY27.
Matt, you want to take it away? There's
a memo at the end of
>> attachment two and um
so
just that background. Um so at NRPC as a
lead agency we have agreements in place
with vendors that participate in our
community brides program. Um and each
vendor has a negotiated um rate um per
trip for providing those trips. Um, and
the New Hampshire DOT requires the RCC7
to discuss, you know, the the rates and
approve them. So, that's what we're
doing. We've done it in the past. We're
adjusting this particular
set of rates. Um so the gentle care
rides um they're one of our providers
and their rate is being updated as and
as Janet said um just retroactively to
the beginning of the contract period
which is this past July 1st.
>> I got it. I got it.
>> Yeah. Thank you.
and we're just going to discuss that uh
right now. Talk about these the adjusted
rates. um and then and then vote on
adopting them or not as the case may be.
Um, so we have this table here and it,
you know, compares what the approved
rate was with with what the the new
rates.
And so if you, if you look at the
approved rate, it was initially $180 per
round trip ride when the ride was in
NSHA.
No wait time charge when the trip in
Nasha. And then trips outside of Nasha
were were $4 per mile plus $40 per hour
if waiting time as we fly. And then it
it got it was kind of unwieldy that way
when when you really started figuring it
out and and kind of
um we get, you know, get a invoice
from Gentto Care Rides and we try to
kind of figure out the mileage and all
these different things. Um it got got
unwieldy. Um and and then of course
Janet you can jump in because you have
knowledge as well.
>> Yeah. Part of the problem was that the
spreadsheet that NHD do provides that we
need to use for billing
um is not flexible.
>> And so in order to justify and and make
that work with the bills that were being
sent plus I believe that there were some
providers that weren't sending bills
that were actually matching
the contracted rate. Um, it needed an
overhaul and I think in doing so too,
this was the really the first go at
this. I perhaps some of our providers
didn't realize maybe what the potential
costs could be. Um, so I think this is a
really good time to refresh, revisit New
Hampshire DOT, you know, point out the
places where maybe they could be a
little more flexible in terms of their
spreadsheet, although they have to
follow federal guidelines and we all
recognize and, you know, respect that.
Um but so that this is not quite as
difficult both for NRPC's lead agency
position and staff members um nor
confusing for our providers because
certainly when you have billing
challenges that puts a provider off
relative to wanting to participate in a
program and we need providers. There's
no doubt about it. Um, so that was part
of it and we can just FYI, you can
expect that we will be bringing more in
August for the two taxi services as
well.
>> So, is that helpful?
>> Yeah. Where does this money come from?
>> Is is it It's not 5310.
>> Yes, it is 5310. It's a combination. Um
the NRPC this was this program Greater
Nasha Community Rides Program is a
three-part partnership. Okay.
Inspired by Donna um and some of the
information that she had, we were able
to come together. The NRPC Foundation
provides the match money as been the
recipient
of donations towards match. Okay. Um,
and then an RPC is our lead agency is
involved because they are our lead
agency and they manage the contract with
Newampshire DOT for the 5310 portion. So
the billing comes through them same as
with caregivers or anything else NTS.
>> So I guess my concern is
and I'm not saying it's wrong but just
at $180 per round trip as this starts to
grow where it's finest program right now
that's going to draw down funds pretty
fast.
But remember the adant remember remember
it's 80% federal 20% local
>> and the number of rides so far have not
pushed us to the limits. There are funds
available.
>> Okay. Okay. I just want to make sure
>> the challenge and the challenge has been
normally we would have an end of year
report and we would have had some
regular reports relative to the payments
out of this but it's been kind of all
over the place and you know
unfortunately NRPC lost their finance
person to another agency so we're
playing a little catch up too.
So Janet, if you could help me to
understand, is this actually a rate
increase or is this a rate
restructuring?
It
>> it's a rate restructure and a rate um
confirmation
because if you look at the the table
that you got, you know, the the um 1
hour trips less than and the 1 hour
greater than 2.2.5 miles, you know,
weren't specified before. And then
certainly the weekend and after five
rides were not mentioned before. Those
are new, but it's my understanding and
and again I'm speaking from the position
of being the NRPC foundation treasurer
as well. So I have a little other
background information pocket. Um we
haven't had any really after five rides
that wheelchair rides that I know of.
Right. Donna Donna is shaking her head.
Yes. Okay. Um, and we haven't had any
weekend or holiday rides, but I think
this puts it in position that should
those come up, we've covered that base
relative to what the expectations would
be.
>> Does that help, Mike?
>> It does. Thank Thank you a lot,
actually.
>> Is this just for wheelchair rights?
>> This is just for greater greater uh
general care rights. Sorry.
>> Right. But it's they do they'll do like
a wheelchair or other or wheelchair.
Okay. And then um my second question I
guess is just like h do we have any like
context on like how they're determining
like the wait time or like what they
consider to be
wait time or is it standard for them to
wait for every ride they do or I don't
know I just feel like that is sort of be
really subjective like
>> well I think the ones in Nasha they
don't necessarily wait for I know in one
case they did But generally speaking,
they're n they're based in NSHA.
>> So Donna, jump in here if I'm if I'm
going off off rails.
>> Right. No, that's right. In Nshawa, um
they usually take them and then they go
do something else.
>> But for for one instance, we have out of
one of the western towns. They're not
going to go pick up the person, drop
them off in the next town over, go back
to Nasha, and then come back. So,
they're going to wait for the person.
>> You know, and that's generally kind of
the way it's it's worked out.
>> And I think that's reasonable. I mean, I
wouldn't expect that they're going to
drive all the way back to Nash or sit
there and do nothing. I mean, that's
that's business time.
>> Yeah. No, I mean, I would expect um them
to go do other rides.
>> Yep. Potentially, they can do that when
they're
>> right. And I just didn't know if that
would be considered timing.
>> If they if if they had other rides,
maybe they would and maybe we can work
with them on that, right?
>> But again, most of the rides that are
being required for for wheelchair rides
>> outside of the city are outside of the
city of Nashville.
>> There's some Yes, I know you've done
some within Nashville, but another part
of it is outside of the city of
Nashville. And again a place where there
there is no match for transit barely
some of them or some of them
you wanted to say
>> I think there's a lot of it it's things
that can't be done with the local
systems that we have. So if the driveway
isn't accessible or the schedule doesn't
work or maybe they're not registered
yet. So there are instances where it is
um a local provider can't provide it. So
then we do the right we try to do the
right for them as much as we can.
>> But again the point being the ones in
Nashville generally they're going to do
something else because they have
something accessible to them.
>> What is their coverage area for general
>> Could you speak up?
>> Oh sorry dental care right? Like what is
their coverage area? What town they
>> Southern New Hampshire.
>> Oh just yeah take a look at their
website. They were very vast.
>> I was just curious. I didn't know like
where they everywhere.
>> Exactly. And then we have had um rides
to the Dartmouth um for the not that
system. And so we've tried to do that
where where we can.
>> So that's really out of bounds, but they
trying to accommodate us on those. Those
are long rides and long wait times and
expens.
>> They've seen their vehicles on the
highway.
>> Yeah. just around here. I mean, but
wondering like where they went. So,
>> no. And I and I believe that they have a
Medicaid contract as well. So, I see
them frequently over over my way.
>> Other than our run and they're in
Manchester, too.
>> Yeah. All good conversations. So um
think you know as far as what the each
rate is um we talked about the round
trip
>> non
let Matt finish and then we can jump to
>> let's see what has to say
>> yes please um I'm a bit confused what we
are talking about right now does it
apply to
the paratra That's it.
And uh does it address the need that um
Margaret and I had brought up long ago
because I heard somebody say outside
Nasha.
So please can you explain further
whether it takes care of our own needs.
Thank you.
>> Go ahead. But Nadi, we're we're we're
just talking about so this is one of the
providers for our community rides pilot
program
>> and this particular provider is um our
wheelchair accessible provider.
>> and it's not it's it's not NSHA transit
system at all. It's not it's not related
to Nashville Transit System. It's just
the provider for the NR RCC NRPC
community rides program that does that
help
a little bit. So
this provider
can include the need that Margaret and I
had brought up several times here.
I think she's talking about like going
to Boston.
>> Yeah,
>> that's exactly what I was going to ask.
So now, are you talking about the rides
to Boston?
>> Yeah. And to
um Margaret Longwood.
>> Margaret Longwood.
>> Margaret.
>> I think that's and I understand that I
think that is a different component
not necessarily based on this particular
provider.
Okay, please Matt and the others who are
in charge, are we still keeping that in
view
to see how that need will be addressed?
Because I am confident that
you guys will be able to take care of
these needs because uh Margaret has even
found out it's not only two of us, there
are others who need this help.
Donna.
>> So, I just want to say um as far as um
what the requests are for, I haven't had
a wheelchair ride request to Longwood.
So, that hasn't come up. So, it hasn't
come up, Nanie.
So, I just want to let you know that.
>> Thank you. Please. I'm still appealing
that
some of us may not yet get to that stage
of wheelchair and I pray we don't but if
we can be
included I have seen that the ones I
ride some wheelchair people
are brought in and we do it together
there are so much space in the in the
bus that it can take more than
wheelchair I'm just appealing please on
behalf of those of us who need that
extra help. But we don't yet we haven't
gotten to the stage of wheelchair. Thank
>> Yeah. The general just so you be rest
assured the general topic of
transportation to the Boston metro area
for non-emergency medical transportation
is still here. It is still right where
let's see I wrote it down right on my
agenda. That and youth transportation.
Those are two topics that we haven't put
to the side by any means. but it's
looking for a sustainable way to do it
that makes sense.
>> You know, funding that's available. So,
>> thank you all.
>> Welcome. Um,
Matt, back to you.
>> Yeah. So, um, I just thought I'd,
you know,
just go through repeated the various
rates. So,
um, you know, we talked about round trip
within NSHA, outside of NSHA,
and then one-way trips that are less
than 22.5 miles per hour or a, I'm
sorry, mile, that's $180. One-way trips
that are over 22 and a half miles. Um,
those are $180 plus four dollarers per
mile after that.
Um, and then we I think we we mentioned
it earlier, rides after 5:00 pm are also
going to be charged uh an additional $40
per hour. And then a trip on on a
weekend or on a holiday is a $180 base
plus four miles, $4 per mile, and $40
per hour after the first hour. So those
are the rates. Um,
and that's what we're
going to consider here.
>> And to circle back to something that
James brought up relative to the amount
of funding available, certainly if
if the amount was given, that is a time
for keeper, which is our regional
mobility manager, Donna, um, to, you
know, if if a request came up for a
weekend ride that wasn't
missionritical for someone that
>> then yeah then we we have to prioritize
and that's it's all about managing a
budget and managing funds available. So
sometimes you do have to prioritize. We
know Nasha Transit has some priorities
that they put in place relative to
budgets and um being able to provide
service and in outside of the city of
Nasha. So, you know, it just it's the
logical thing.
And right now,
NRPC is doing monthly billing. So, it's
not like we're waiting three or four
months to see where we're at. We know on
a monthly basis basically where we're at
relative to this program.
>> So, those are the rates for our
consideration. Um, and um, we'd be
looking for a motion to adopt those
>> So, I'll put that out.
>> I would I would move that.
>> Thanks, Mike. Do we have a second?
>> Thanks, James.
Any further discussion?
>> I mean, the rate's not changing, but
just like reference. Is it like
comparable to the other providers, the
community provider?
>> This is the right now this is the only
wheelchair provider that we have.
>> I got
>> unfortunately um the other one that was
a little bit less expensive went out of
business.
>> And there's another one in the area, but
I don't think I honestly don't think
they're operating.
>> I guess that's a general question.
>> Yeah. on the trips that tend to be over
the um 22 and a half miles
$4 per mile. What is the average type of
additional cost related to those?
>> Before you before you answer that,
Janet, let me say I have to actually go
off the meetings. So, I probably need to
resend my motion
and um can't vote.
>> Okay. We will then revisit this after we
answer Rocky's question.
>> Thanks Mike for letting us know though.
I appreciate it.
>> Y
>> I think at $4 a mile that could be a
significant
supplemental additional cost.
>> And you know quite honestly I do not
have the mileage numbers in my head and
I don't think Donna does either. We
don't have that spreadsheet here. Um
there have been
occasional
>> time a time charge would be easier to
understand than
>> there have been occasional rides that
have been at a significant distance. One
was to New London and it was a
wheelchair ride and one was to Hinsdale
and it was a wheelchair ride and those
were early on. Those were a while ago.
So again I don't have that information.
Most of the rides have been relatively
within this area. um we certainly can
pull that information and run that
report um and share it. That's not that
hard to do.
>> Just feeling that non-ambulatory people
might have limited resources in some
cases and those examples you just gave
would be a significant cost.
>> Exactly. And and they were they were one
of them was from medical was for a
medical appointment. The one in New
London, the Hinsdale one was uh pretty
missionritical. that was the one to
inspect um a relocation for housing, but
there was no way the individual could
get there.
Correct, Donna?
>> Except that that was not a wheelchair
ride. It was a taxi ride.
>> Oh, sorry. I take it back then. I will
correct myself on that one.
>> But the person and actually Mike,
>> he's off now.
>> But he had referred that person to
>> So where was the other long distance
wheelchair ride? So to that um up north
>> to Lebanon,
>> right?
>> Which is the specialty service that was
probably needed.
>> There there is some discretion involved.
>> That's excit
just is this a fleet
>> fleet
>> cars? They have uh
>> 10 20
>> I don't know how many they have, but I
know that they have two.
>> I think he has two.
>> handicap accessible vans are very
expensive. So,
>> they're not as common as we would like.
>> And they only occupy one
person in a wheelchair.
>> A lot of them will do one, some will do
a couple. And larger vehicles have more
capacity.
>> It depends. It depends on the funding
source and the service that you're doing
because there are some wheelchair
providers that will do multiple rides,
but generally it's under the Medicaid
program, I believe.
>> See, this would be a great opportunity
to try to be able to work something out
with another organization that has
wheelchair accessible transportation.
Unfortunately, we didn't get that
opportunity.
>> I know you
Um and in the past though we have we
have tried to use gsil too before they
transportation program.
>> You want to come join us?
>> Yeah once we have the staff
>> that might be my retirement.
>> No wait. This is I want to make sure
everyone heard this because this is an
issue industrywide.
>> Yeah. once we have the staff available
and that's a challenge for you guys
that's a challenge for Nasha Transit
>> and it's a challenge for the volunteer
driver programs as well
>> till you find out some people
>> so further discussion questions
>> yes
>> so staffing wise is it staffing to
monitor the program or staffing to
>> drivers RI rice
>> drivers
>> and that's been an ongoing issue since
2019 2020.
>> Would you say concur with that?
>> Oh absolutely.
>> I'd say even earlier
>> maybe. Yeah. Yeah.
>> Yeah. But it definitely since then
>> it's all service agencies and it's at
different levels other than maybe upper
management
>> even middle managers and people that
operate programs are all running short
staffed
>> and you just said you're a onewoman show
>> supervisors yeah I would just say like
the transportation sector in general
just perpetually short staffed in kind
of all areas whether it's mechanics you
know whoever like it's just kind of a
revolving door. I mean, I think everyone
remembers that.
>> And I know Donna got a call from one of
the local banks. Somebody was interested
in starting their own transportation
service. And that's not the first time
that we've heard that here. We've had at
least two individual groups that had
approached us at um various public
events that wanted more information
about how to start a transportation
business. and we had referred them to
Newampshire DOT and Fred Butler um
because of the licensing pieces in that
that were you know obviously beyond the
scope of this tried to give them some
referral to get them into the business
at least as another provider another
resource in the area and this was a non
Uber non-lifty you know it wasn't that
kind of driver it was somebody who
really wanted to start their own small
company
>> all right um since Mike has resented his
motion do I have a motion to approve and
adopt the rates as presented.
Carrie, do I have a second? James.
If there's no further discussion,
then we'll do a roll call vote. Sandra,
>> yes. Marianne,
Rock.
>> SCTC. Yes.
>> Yep.
>> It is.
>> NRPC.
>> Thank you very much.
Much appreciated.
>> And that is retroactive to
July 1st, 2025
according to the memo.
All right. So the next item on the
agenda, this is a good topic for
discussion. Um, generally the RCC or the
SEC and NHT
NHTA, New Hampshire Transit Association
and the State Coordinating Council all
take July off. And I know NRPC does for
most of their committee meetings.
Um, so we wanted to throw it out there
for this group.
um the opportunity to take a recess for
July and then also consider going to
every other month for RCC meetings
starting in August.
That would put us at like August,
October, December, February,
etc., etc.
um if in fact there was a obligatory
action item that we needed to do for New
Hampshire DOT or the RC or the 5310
program or something, we would call a
special meeting.
Um and that could be, you know, that
would be with a couple weeks hopefully
notice. Um, we tried to when we were
considering, you know, what does the the
normal New Hampshire do schedule look
like relative to their grant
opportunities and that and when
decisions have to be made for the RCC
because oftent times or funding it has
to have RCC approval before New
Hampshire DOT will roll forward or we
can submit an application.
Um, right now I mean we don't know when
the next solicitation is going to come.
sometime in the fall, maybe November.
Um, you know, it's a little fluid. Last
year, I think, or two years ago, I think
it came out on the Friday before New
Year's at 3:30 in the afternoon. If I
remember the email from Fred Butler
correctly.
Okay. Friday 3:30, 3:45 going, "Yeah,
Fred, that's really nice of you." Right
before holiday week.
We We really do appreciate Fred Butler.
We know he's busy, but um but that's the
way things kind of roll sometimes.
So, what do you guys think about going
to every other month? Um and
understanding that on that off month
that would give the executive committee
and the any subcommittees like the
locally coordinated transportation plan
goals committee uh a chance to meet on
the off the off month. And I understand
what you're gonna say is we don't want
to lose momentum because and I totally
agree.
>> I did say that
>> but I but I but I think I think we need
to give give the group a chance to vote.
>> That's a that's a long time in between
seeing my friends in
you know have to wait every two months
to see these smiling faces.
>> No, you're on the executive committee.
>> I think it's over. I I don't mind coming
one.
>> I think it's a great idea. I mean, as
far as like personally like my personal
schedule goes with my job, I mean, it
would be great. I would love to meet
every other month.
>> I have a question.
>> Yes. I believe the SEC is looking at a
similar approach. Is that correct?
>> Will our schedule align with their
schedule and is there a reason to
consider that?
>> Great question.
>> Yeah. We don't I don't know anything
about like what exactly is being
proposed for the new schedule. All I
know is that that is being discussed at
SEC leadership, but they also don't have
another meeting until July.
>> No, until August.
>> I mean, I'm sorry, August.
>> They're not meeting until July. So, we
don't I don't have any updates until
August. and Rocky also I don't think in
general any of the RCC's necessarily
align with the SEC because some of them
meet quarterly um some of them meet
every other month or like an even
numbered month or things like that you
know right now we meet monthly so and
they also meet the first week of the
month and we meet at the end of the
month so I don't know that's like I
don't know if that's like a priority
necessarily but like I mean it might be
moving forward that if they meet at the
beginning of a month we might meet at
the end that month if it's a month that
we meet. So I mean that's and that's my
question.
>> But I think it makes sense though. I
think it makes sense to meet it on the
same monthly schedule that they do so
that information isn't like super old.
>> Something comes out on the first week
and we're meeting on the fourth week.
It's and
>> though we though we one of the items in
our communication um and coordination
goal is to improve communication and
have our CC7 emails coming out if
there's pertinent information in between
you know in between the the packets that
you get
>> because there were action items from
Terry Palmer's report from the state
downward to this week
>> that were helpful for us in terms of
maneuvering right
our approaches were
>> just a different you know
>> I'm not quite sure
>> well there's a moility manager on a
statewide level which I found helpful in
understanding what the issues are and
how we might address them and strategies
that are out there but and I can't
remember specifics I just know there are
times when there are issues at that
level that right
>> that we deal with
>> right um what we could do is plan to
meet in August and hopefully During the
first week of August when the SEC does
meet, they will establish their schedule
and we can bring you bring that back and
make a final determination in August.
You could do that.
>> Sounds good.
>> sounds good.
>> Kind of tableabling the plan for now
until August. Um, and we'll see what the
SEC has to say when they reconvene. Um,
and then move from there.
>> Yeah. And I was going to say another
kind of fold acquisition is that some of
our committees um
uh we have a a minimum number of times
per year that we meet and then
the other months it's if there's no
pressing business then we'll choose to
not meet that month. So that's sort of a
compromise where
>> in that case we you know we don't eat we
don't end up eating full times
>> and we've done that before. We we we
canceled the meeting in January because
there wasn't anything pressing. There
was no point of having a meeting for no
reason.
>> Um we certainly could do that too. I
just think it's easier for scheduling if
you definitely know that every other
month on Thursday, the fourth Thursday
from 10 to 12,
>> this is where we want you to be.
>> Um I don't know about you, but my book
fills up fast, too.
>> Yeah. Um, I was thinking a few weeks ago
that every other month would be nice for
me, but I can't think of just me. And I
think every month for the past year,
we've had at least one or two new people
coming in
>> to join. Happens today, right? And and I
know of a few others as well. Maro and
even Goodales,
uh, someone someone from the police
department that could join us and and I
would hate to see I I'd like to be able
to do and tell them exactly what you
just said. We meet every month.
They meet every month at the the
coalition right at the uh at city hall.
And that's terrific. When they miss a
month, I miss it.
I think the regularity helps and it
helps for new potential members.
>> I'm not denying that. It certainly does.
>> It certainly does. And again, one of the
other things that we wanted to do too
was to have more guest speakers,
>> you know, on that maybe on that odd
month kind of thing. Um and that's
something that is a goal and that
certainly is part of our the objectives
from the LCTP
um subgroup too is one of our
recommendations we have. So
>> um hold on first.
>> Fred Butler joined. Hi Fred and then
Nani has a question then we'll get to
your question.
>> Hi everybody.
>> Nani go ahead.
I was just about saying that the every
other month is as regular too. If we put
out the word there that we meet every
other month that will be it and people
will spread the word and new members can
still join every other month. So I
personally think that
every other month
should be agreeable because many other
meetings are adjusting to that. We need
to do that. Uh the resources put into
organizing it every month can be saved
for some other things that are
um expedient.
>> Thanks N. You're on. Couple
thoughts came to mind um in regards to
to meeting frequency. I'm I'm glad to
hear that there's interest in having
presentations. Um I think that's a big
drawing card.
>> I know coming from state experience that
it was a big drawn card to have a
presentation and and then it was
advertised and noticed. So, if there's a
website, you know, that calendar of
events sort of, you know, here's where
the meetings are, here's what the
agendas are, here's where the minutes
are, here's what's up and coming for the
new speaker or the topics that we're
looking to address.
>> Um, and then being able to point people
to that Facebook, social media, as
everybody knows, is everybody's glued to
in some cases. Um but even some of the
other so uh like neighborhood um not so
connected but still people go on there
looking for information if they don't go
directly to Facebook or Instagram or
something like that. So there's a lot to
be gained from the frequency of the
meetings. Um, but I think the drawing
card is to, you know, what is it are we
really looking to to gain and who are we
looking to connect more with?
>> Absolutely great points. And I think the
sidebar piece about um pushing
information out on the website, I think
better utilization of the keep New
Hampshire moving website is extremely
important because that really is the
repository should be the repository for
RCC information um of that nature and
that's something we certainly have I
believe on the LCTP
um objectives as one of the other
recommendations too. So, good points.
Um, in terms of
monthly, every other month.
Um,
I mean, I'm whatever. I I'm I'm in the
whatever group. So, you know, it works
for me. I understand folks who may have
pressing jobs and full-time, you know,
full-time jobs um and may
prefer the every other month, but we can
I think the plan I think the plan we
have on the table right now, taking July
off, reconveneing in August, looking to
see what the SEC is going to do and
making a decision then is probably our
best direction.
Salem,
>> two quick things. one for meeting
frequency I wanted to in um for the idea
of meeting every other month.
I always view it as quality over
quantity. I think it gives a lot of
people who are doing service positions
time to have follow-up actions and then
have something to report at the next
meeting. And I can't tell you how many
times a week Donna is like, "Hey, can
you add this person to the RCC list? can
you add this person to the RCC list?
Like it is the biggest list we have and
it's incredible and all the time we are
sending out pertinent information
all like in between meetings. And so I
think that's a great way if you're
having new people come in who are
interested. Oh, let's get you on the
list and then you can find out when the
next meeting is. Um but again either way
is fine. If we stay monthly also great.
Uh, the second thing, do we need a
motion to table this?
>> We're getting there. We're not there
yet, dear.
>> Okay. I just wanted to double check.
>> Getting there. Yes, because it is an
action item. We're getting there.
>> That's it. Thanks.
>> Any other discussion, questions,
comments?
>> Sandra, anyone?
All right. So, can I get a motion to
not have a July meeting and table any
further decision about scheduling and
frequency until our August meeting for
further information? Motion by Matt,
seconded by Maryanne
and roll call vote again. Sandra,
>> Rocky,
>> yes. Janet. Yes.
>> You already Yes.
>> Oh, did you motion?
>> Or maybe you didn't emotion.
>> All right. Good. No, good discussion and
really excellent points across the board
on both sides of the concern. So, we'll
see how we go.
all right. So, executive committee
update. So now I'm going to backtrack a
little bit because I was able to confirm
because Rocky Morelli is here from
Opportunity Networks. We mentioned it
earlier, but congratulations Opportunity
Networks on getting that nice big jet
from the Nash.
>> I know
I said that with
>> Gaming has been a very positive thing
for many of our local charities.
>> It has been. That certainly will help
your bottom line. We bought a van with
our proceeds from our last go round and
we were fortunate to get a second bite
at the apple.
>> Yeah. Well, that's what I do. You mind
me asking? Did you have another five
days this year or did you just get a
second bite? Get another five days.
Bravo.
>> You have some relationship building
skills that paid off.
>> I love it. I love it. Well, everyone
loves everyone loves Rocky and
Opportunity Networks
>> plus all that pull you have on your
board of directors. Yeah.
>> It's a good thing.
>> No, that's excellent. That's excellent.
so in terms of other things from the
executive committee, we didn't really
meet, but I did want to bring up a
couple of items just to kind of put them
on everyone's horizon.
Um, October is traditionally the New
Hampshire statewide community
transportation month. And in the past
for the past two years, we have had
regional champions, regional heroes who
have been identified and recognized
during our October meeting. Um, I just
want to get a sense of the room to see
if this was something that we wanted to
continue as a tradition and part of our
celebration here in region 7. And if so,
what I would plan to do would be to
start rolling that out in October. so
that we have sufficient time to get some
nominations.
Um, the very first person to receive
that award was Lori Lurman. She is the
operations director at Nasher Transit
and that happened to coincide with her
40th year of service as an employee of
Nasher Transit. Um, and she's still
there, thank God. Um and she is a
phenomenal staff member there and just
>> really dedicated to providing
transportation to people in need.
>> That was worthy.
>> It doesn't happen that often.
>> No. Well, but the second year I mean Don
it was you know your founder.
>> Amazing.
>> John
>> for John last year.
>> You know and that was again hugely welld
deserved. Um unfortunately he had passed
before he was able to receive the award
but um he also received another award um
from CTAA down in Texas
>> for our
>> that's the rural um transit um
assistance program.
>> Yeah. And John uh was a founder of Gate
City
>> the bike co-op um and just was very
dedicated to that mode of transportation
and engagement. I wanted to change the
gate city bike co-op the John Brookke
like he wouldn't let me do it.
>> No.
>> He was so humble. Wouldn't you know no
mons nothing.
>> But he gave me the opportunity to to do
his unity at the Unitarian Church. What
do you want to miss?
Well, I think I you know, as
I think being able to recognize
members, significant representatives,
significant people relative to community
transportation is a great way, one to
not only honor them and recognize their
efforts, but also, I hate to say it,
spin it and have an opportunity to get
something out there in the public's eye,
you know, to speak to the need for it's
not just Uber and Lift, guys.
You know there are people who need
transportation assist. You want to say
something?
So the award would be like delivered in
October presumably.
>> We presented in October here meeting
>> and then so like August we would put it
forth for patients.
>> Yeah. We would set up a timeline. What
we've done in the past is circulate the
information, circulate the form,
>> send it out, ask for um information to
come back to. Basically, it's me just
kind of it's one person, one shot kind
of thing to make sure everything's all
together. Um and then the executive
committee kind of reviews the
nominations. Um and we go from there.
But I want to give people sufficient
time. I know for the regional award that
we did at um that's next thing on my
little list of things here um for the
champion award that was a little bit
time constrained
um because of the delays at the SEC and
HTA level of confirming that we're
actually going to do it this year and
the need to get the information in in a
timely fashion so they can get the
awards made in time. So um
so general consensus doesn't have to be
a vote. General consensus
roll forward with this.
>> Absolutely.
>> Yeah. Okay.
>> I think
summarized it well. People are humble
and they're out there every day. The
frontline people working really hard and
making all these things work and taking
a minute to step back and look and
recognize them. I think that is so
important and valuable.
>> And you bring up a really good point. I
mean, this this could be
a staff person. It could be a volunteer
driver. It could be a donor if there's
an organization that is very supportive
of community transportation. It could be
a founder of an organization. It could
be, you know, it's not
has to be in this box. You know, it's a
very broad stroke kind of recognition
relative to the future and moving
community transportation within the
region forward.
On that note though, I would like to
follow up and say it was really my
privilege to introduce and to meet um
the gentleman from I want to say I
always say Apex Healthcare but it's
Alpha Healthcare,
>> Alpha Alpha Home Care. Um he is the
human services. Yeah. H human resources
coordinator for the agency. Um, but he
goes above and beyond relative to
helping clients get where they need to
go. Um, and he received the regional
champions award at the state
coordinating council meeting um, on June
4th.
We do have a picture and hopefully we
can get that. I don't know, Donna, you
just had a write up on that to put into
the NRPC newsletter.
>> So, I can do that. I was speaking um at
Elderap to Shantel and she said he was
so happy to receive that award.
>> Yeah, I
>> like made his day. So
>> yeah, we hadn't talked about it after
the meeting. So I'm I was hoping that
you had already crafted up something. Um
and if you don't have the picture, I do
have the pictures.
>> Yeah. So yeah, just just toss it over to
me and we'll just get it into the July
one. Super. Uh but yeah, but he very
he's very nice young man. Yeah. And he
seemed very pleased. Yeah.
>> Nick was also taking photos at the at
the conference. Nick Shelber. Do you
have his? Okay.
>> Yeah, he sent them to me.
>> And Rad put out um copies of whatever
they took too. So Nick, thank you.
Um anyone else may Oh, wait.
Excuse me. As I said up at the SEC, us
people from Nashville need glasses.
Um because Camille needed them too. You
know, kind of a challenge there. Um the
only other thing I wanted to bring up
was our traditional endofear report.
Generally, that's the end of year report
for the 5310 program. Um the funding,
the budgeting, what was spent for the
year, as well as the rides, the number
of rides. Um that report will have to
wait until August. the final billing has
not come in. Um, we probably won't get
that until I would say with somewhere
after maybe the 4th of of July.
>> Um, but we will have that prepared for
the August meeting. Um, to my knowledge
at this point, we are well under budget.
So, there's no issues there by any
means. Um, and we'll be working on
numbers so that we have, you know, rides
number to report so you all have kind of
a a better picture of how successful
this really has been this year.
And anyone else on the executive
committee want to jump in with anything
that I may have forgotten?
>> Okay,
then we're going to move this over to
Carrie.
>> Um, you know what? I don't really have
much of an update. We did meet um
my god did we meet this month? Yes, we
met this month. Sorry. Um but we not
everybody was there. We had a smaller
group. So um
yeah, from the quick meeting. Um we're
still working on the same thing. We've
been working on um our um outreach
distribution list that I mentioned last
time. Um and then you know just trying
to get to as many of the neighboring RCC
meetings uh that we can so we can um you
know see whatever see what other people
have going on to see how we can learn
from it and you know maybe gain
information and make contacts and things
like that um just to you know um improve
our our communication and you know the
other goals
unless you do have something but that's
all I got. I just have humble apologies.
Um, uh, I was tasked with coming up with
a a briefer infographic for the LCTP
goals and kind of objectives area and
unfortunately the budgeting and billing
and contract issues kind of got in the
way of my time. Um, since this is not my
only job.
Sorry guys. Um, but we will have a
document for you that kind of outlines.
It's going to be two versions. going to
be a long version that has all the
action items that we've talked about
that you can see through and digest
before the next August meeting. Then
there'll be the infographic quick down
and dirty. Um yeah, and you know, I'm
trying to be as pathy as possible of
taking all the words that are around the
table. Um there have been some great
discussions with James and Rocky and
Matt and Donna, um Deb and Angelique and
and Carrie and Camille. Um there's been
a lot of work put in there, a lot of
thought. Um so we've got quite a quite a
a long laundry list of ideas that we
just got to kind of mush down. So that
is coming
like anyone else on the committee like
to jump in with anything?
>> Um relative to that, I would like to ask
a question of NRPC. Um, the RCC in and
of itself does not have its own website.
Um, we rely on a page on the RCC or the
NRPC's website as one item. We also have
a great interactive page and area on the
keep New Hampshire moving website, but
this was just to make sure we had some
local information. Um what's the time
frame in terms of us submitting some
changes or updates whether just the
content?
>> Um that can happen at any point.
>> Yeah. Um even so we're hoping the
refreshed NRPC website will be rolling
out uh some point in July. Um we're
hoping for mid July, but we'll see how
it goes with revise. Um, and yeah, we
can we have access to the beta site
right now. We're going in and there's a
lot of things to clean up. So, at any
point if you pretty much any content
that's currently on the NRPC site has
been migrated over. So, you can use that
as a template for any edits that need to
be made. Send them over at any point and
we'll get them added. Um, if you could
do it before July 15th, that would be
great because I'm gonna be out on
medical leave starting on July 15th.
>> Okay. Well, if we do, we do. We don't.
We don't. There's got to be somebody
behind you that could do it before the
August 27th meeting.
>> Yeah. And I'll I'll be back for that.
I'll only be out about four weeks.
>> Um, and yeah, there's, you know, I know
Emma has access, Cassie. We're getting
Nick trained up and Sarah. Um Sarah is
always running the show with the
website. I don't think this would be a
heavy lift because I don't think there's
going to be a whole heck of a lot of
change, but I think that's something
that the executive committee um in
collaboration with Donna
>> can be working on as well as making sure
that the coordination is between that
and we're we're have the same message in
both spots
>> with more emphasis on the keep New
Hampshire moving website
>> and
>> kind of a placeholder just to make sure
>> of course and I did want to note that um
as part of preparing for this refresh.
We did create a separate page on our
site for the community rides pilot
program. So it has its own
>> is that visible on the website now?
>> It should be.
>> Okay. Then that's something that
definitely needs to be looked at not
just by us but by the foundation. And
I'll let Maryanne know.
>> Perfect.
>> Super.
Anything else? You're good.
Hi,
Angelique is um one of the SEC
representatives.
>> I am. And so I don't really have a whole
lot for updates uh other than the SEC
partners with the NHTA for their annual
meeting in June. So that happened on
June 4th, I believe it was. So that was
a um pretty good meeting. It's a great
chance for you know a lot of people that
are from all different regions and
around the state to get together uh get
some good information
um communicated. There was some really
good presentations, one from um Scott
Bogan from CTAA about some, you know,
different changes that are coming up,
the reauthorization
um that although
it was sounding like it's probably not
going to make it through um Congress
before the deadline, which is September
30th, that there is good conversations
that are happening that are, you know,
looking really positive to make some
some um improvements for transportation
providers. So, there was also a um
presentation from Lily Wellington, who
is the executive director from the
Commission on Aging. Um, the Commission
on Aging has been overseeing the
community transportation needs
assessment project which has come to the
end and is starting to wrap up. There's
no official,
you know, reports or or things out yet
because it's going through a whole, you
know, state communication
procedure through the Commission on
Aging. But um we do know that it's
expected to be around the end of July
where we can start to see some of that
information come out publicly. Um
>> once that information is ready, we will
be pushing it out to you guys just to
make sure that you have access to the
link to the information
um for your edification.
>> Yeah, a lot of work went into that
project. So um the presentation that was
shared was
you know I would say a very high level
overview about kind of what the project
is, what it is not and that sort of
thing. So not a whole lot of um
specifics yet that are published
anywhere, but um we look forward to
seeing that. Like Janice said um
everybody will will see that eventually
when it comes out. Um and then of course
the awards that happened for each region
and and their credit transportation
champion. Um so that was great and then
just kind of recognizing some other
people who retired and different things
like that. So overall really great
meeting. I would definitely say consider
attending next year if you haven't
attended already. So,
>> you want to speak to the rural health
transformation grant information?
>> Yeah. I mean, I don't really have any
other information about it other than I
think by November we're looking at well,
they're the go north team will be
looking at starting up phase two which
includes transportation which they
voiced to Fred Butler. Um,
so until then,
>> yeah, I think one of my takeaways was
that a lot of the conversation
and a lot of the idea tossing around at
at the meeting um oftent times came back
to we need to be at the table. Meaning
we as a ubiquitous public community
transportation network needs to be at
the table. DHS needs to be at our table.
Um, we need to be involved and have an
opportunity to, you know, benefit from
some of these funds that are available
because it's great to worry about child
care and education and getting
employment and whatever, but if people
can't get to where they need to go for
their medical appointments or for their
work,
um,
you know, it's it's for not,
>> right? And and what we obviously nobody
wants is for this project to you know
look at transportation under a lens that
um isn't exactly clear of what is
already you know happening and what
infrastructure is already placed who are
the current providers already providing
these services right so um the SEC was
um preparing a letter to just submit
saying that basically that we are year,
you know, we're ready to collaborate on
this. Um,
>> and this is another letter,
right? This is a second letter because
they had already sent in a letter with
11 recommendations
early on in the application process if I
remember correctly.
>> I don't know.
>> They had. So, um, anyway, the letter
they that they've been working on just
again voicing that, you know, we have
this whole slew of transportation
professionals, providers, infrastructure
already in place. So, let's leverage
that as we move forward in the project.
>> Leverage as opposed to duplicate, right?
>> Anyone else have a takeaway? Oh, you
weren't there.
take away from the meeting?
>> It was It was a good conference. Really
good. I like it.
>> James,
>> good. It was good this year. And I took
several of my staff, a couple of them,
and Beth was there. She got a lot out of
it. And because I'm always afraid of
that, you know, people that are kind of
new to transportation, they find it
extremely boring or helpful. And she
said it was helpful.
>> Yeah. I think I think generally that the
speakers were great especially the guy
from CTAA Scott was very good very good
very informative. Um, I know I heard
some comments of some folks because
after the awards kind of everyone left,
you know, had we had
and some people had to. I James, I'll
give you the benefit of the doubt,
>> but had we had one of those breakout
sessions that we normally had or
something that had more content, more
educational opportunity, that may have
been good. It just and they part of it
may have been that they ran over in time
with the awards. So that kind of
abbreviated this next panel discussion.
They only had two again it but overall
it was very good. Easy location to get
to. They have great food. Um very
comfortable environment
as well. So
maybe consider it for next year
unless you're on the golf course
>> fundraising for opportunity networks
which is where Rocky was
>> after that war sounds nice but it was a
lot of work
>> you can take some time off fundraising.
>> I just add a comment not directly to the
conference because I wasn't at it but
the needs assessment that they're doing
that's going to be hugely important. We
talked about that at our subcommittee
meeting, but I just wanted to publicly
formally thank Angelique for really
being the go-between. At at our meeting,
we I know I did a lot of us kind of
downloaded had Angelique as an SEC
representative and trying to tie all
these pieces together, but she has just
been upfront, honest, working with us
and supporting and I really appreciate
it. So, I just want everyone else in the
group to
>> to know that she's going above and
beyond helping out our region.
>> I would know that, too.
>> Thank you. I appreciate that. Um, I do
the best I can. I don't remember
everything and I can't take notes that
fast, but uh I do, you know, try to
share, you know, as much information as
possible. Um, and I just have one last
thing. It's not related to the SEC, but
uh, so I don't know if anybody's heard
about Able New Hampshire. They have
their um disability pride parade and
festival going on July 18th um which is
a Saturday. It's over at the state house
in conquered um I want to say it's 10 to
one and so I'll be there. Um, but it
just seems like a really fun um,
exciting event for um, people with
disabilities to be able to get out,
organize, get together, connect. You
>> have a flyer for that.
>> I do want to shoot it over.
I had a group that went last year and
they absolutely loved it and I saw a lot
of the videos and the people that did
the presentations are people with
disabilities themselves and it it really
is sincere and true and it's a great
feel
>> and and even if um you know you can't
make it like we have a bunch of our
clients who like this is like a
highlight for them. They want to go you
know we're going to bring them. So, um,
you know, if you have like your clients
may be interested in this event, it's
just a really fun, great thing. So, I
just wanted to share that.
>> So, you said it's ABLE, is that part of
the
>> AEL New Hampshire?
>> That's not part of the SC.
>> They're their own uh their disability
advocate
executive
exe. She's executive director over
there, right?
>> President
is Lisa Steman, who is the regional
mobility manager in region five.
>> Yeah. enable New Hampshire. There's a
flyer out here for their last um Friday
Friday 12 o'clock information. Um get on
their distribution list. They're very
informative.
>> Yeah, they're um they have a lunch and
learn every month. Uh I actually just
spoke on the last one which was on the
19th um about it was about 88
complimentary parat transfer
>> and they do put up or she will be
putting up videos for all of the old
ones. Most of them are up there Zoom
meetings um as well as handouts. It's a
great resource. So it's able.org
and if you look in the upper right hand
corner it's got what their initiatives
and one of them is transportation and
it's there.
>> Yeah. And for I want to say it's the
August one, we're trying to get Lily
Wellington to
>> Oh, great. Oh, good.
>> Give some more information about the um
assessment at that lunch in Martin.
>> Cool.
All right.
Let's roll into the regional ability
managers up late, highlights, outcomes,
outcomes. What you got, Donna? So, I
have the great news Janet didn't mention
at the beginning. I don't know how you
find out these things, but I
>> It's on their website. It was posted on
June 22nd on their website. Yeah.
So anyway, so um we got the the good
news um from the New Hampshire
Charitable Foundation as well as Granite
um uh United that we had received that
we will be receiving the um 38,000 to
help with uh transportation for those
impacted by the opioid crisis. This is
opioid settlement money that the um
companies that kind of benefited from
the crisis um are paying the states um
for all the problems that people
experience with the opioid crisis. So um
this grant is for bus passes which um I
think a lot of the people that are
impacted by this use the bus system. So,
we'll get some um bus passes out to them
also for rides that they need and then
it pays for outreach materials. And part
of the whole thing is that we do
outreach to the various communities that
um that congregates um regarding um
opioids. So, it's revive recovery. the H
there's a lot of houses around Nshawa
uh get out there as well as the um the
NA um organization go to their meetings
let them know about this um and so 70
organizations had applied for funding
and only 24 organizations received
funding uh so um I I do think that this
is substantial and it's not like a small
grant it's enough that we can really try
to help people where they need to go and
we have had sufficient calls for people
with opioid problems that it it does
make sense that we get some funding.
Previously I um asked public health to
pay for it because they also get money
from the opioid settlements. Now we
won't have to do that and we can just
pay for the rides ourselves which is
really good. Um and as you probably all
know receiving is grants is it's very
complicated. So, we received word on
Tuesday and how to figure out the um
requirements. Um it's it's all
difficult, but Kate was a great help
with this. Our assistant director really
helped um with the um submitting the
final requirements. So, that was great.
I just want to go ahead and add
>> Donna applied for this funding
completely her initiative to go as I
understand it right to go ahead
recognize that this was available did
all the leg work
so there was that and and also I know
Jay our executive director helped you
know clean up the final submission. Um,
but yeah, we it was kind of it was a
kind of a cryptic email that uh Donna
got about getting this award. He said,
"Do not forward this blah blah blah."
It's like so that's I think to your
question like how did you know? It's
like we get this email is don't forward
this blah blah blah. So that's I think
in any event good great job on this
part. So, is there a written plan
relative to how you plan to implement
this?
>> So, I do have that now. So, I can send
that to you, Janet, and I will
>> Yeah, I think we need I put my
foundation hat on here.
yeah, let's let's let's I just to get an
idea. Again, that kind of gets to also
your work plan and understanding that
and a number of other things. So, yeah,
that would be great. Thank you.
>> We'll get that to you. Um so also
>> and I will share with the executive
committee that's a few
>> um also the big picture statewide
mobility management. We did have a
meeting on June uh 1st um and we had a
very informative meeting about Medicaid
and any of the um providers here that
need information about Medicaid um there
is the the form the information is on
the desk so please take it because um
it's that's complicated as well too. So
when people need Medicaid, um there are
some numbers they can call. We learned a
lot more about um who to call and how to
do that. So um that's very helpful. And
I I
>> Who did you meet with?
>> So just let me get to it. Okay. So um
Lisa Steedman um uh set up the whole
thing and she did a great job with that.
She's very good with that. and um and it
was the four um there's four um Medicaid
insurance uh people. So those people
were on the Zoom. Um so those really the
people that were on the Zoom. So we
didn't meet with them in a group and we
haven't met in person. We used to meet
every quarter in person, the mobility
managers, but this was all through Zoom.
So
>> So the four people were from the
brokers,
>> not the brokers. So there's four. So
they are the regional representatives
for for DHHS Medicaid.
>> No. So just let me finish. So it was the
um four
medic medical um insurance people.
>> So Wellsense American. Okay.
>> Exactly. New Hampshire families. Those
four um insurance providers. So they
were all on the call.
>> So that that was helpful. And hopefully
um and you know any calls that come
through I can direct it direct them to
them now as opposed to just saying call.
Uh so that that was good. Um and also
too Ben um is is going not to be the
mobility manager anymore. He's going to
be the planning role at Southern New
Hampshire Planning. So they're looking
for a regional mobility manager in um in
Manchester Southern New Hampshire
Planning Commission. Um, so then also
funding. It seems like the funding's um
running out, so it seems like there's
less and less money there. So, I'm
really trying to spend some time
fundraising. I've sent out some uh
failers, fundraising failures. And also
our planners here had some extra time.
So, um Cassie Kase crafted a very nice
brochure for the program. It's the
draft. and also Nick Principado did an
excellent job submitting a proposal for
the Franklin Savings Bank which covers
the town of Marramac. Sandra, so um so
we're just trying to get some more
funding in there and we do have a a date
like Rocky I didn't know about your date
that there was a a casino you had a date
this recently. So let us know so we can
go.
>> Oh certainly
>> because that would be good good to go.
But anyway, so we have a a date here in
September at the end of September. Um
the foundation has a date, too. So, um
you know, it's
>> right, there'll be more information
coming out of that from the foundation,
but we do have dates in September,
>> right? But I just want to let people
know because everybody has calendars and
I, you know, my theory on all this
outreach is just get the word out there
as much as you can for people so then
they know and they know this is
something they can do to help us with
and um and people, you know, they enjoy
it. So, it's just an enjoyable thing for
people. So, um so anyway, so that's
we're trying to get funds into the into
the system because
>> who else have you reached out to besides
Franklin Savings? So, also um I did send
a um John asked John Dental Care Rides
asked me what he could do. And so I said
to him, we um if it you know go to your
bank and see if they can give some of
their community tax credits to um
to us. Um and also I did go down to Bah
Harbor and I left your notice regarding
the senior um
>> oh senior ID
>> senior ID. So I left it. So, they're
going to post that. But I did Kathy
wasn't there and I want to talk to her
about it. So, um
>> or Harvard is an application process
online.
>> Oh, okay. But, you know, with all these
things, you have the online and like if
you go out and you talk to people and
you get to know people, then I think
this somebody's going to look and even
click on it. like with the um the opioid
one, I swear there's there were 78
organizations
um applying for that and only 24 got it.
But I think one of the reasons we got it
is because just that personal connection
I saw Lisa Basquez used to work for the
city. You probably remember her,
>> right? And so I saw her at this public
health meeting and we we kind I didn't
say like go apply and please um take off
our application but I kind of said hi
how you doing you know that that type of
thing.
>> Well no that's it and that's exactly the
way most of the banks work. I mean you
just have to have touch with somebody
there
>> and then they're going to redirect you
to do it online because I know I just
know how that how Bar Harbor works
because I've gotten grants through there
before.
>> Okay. So anyway, but that's um that's
that. So I'm really trying to um not um
not use up what's there.
>> And the flyer that Casey
>> I have here
>> presented was for what?
>> So this is the community right it's this
is a draft. So um I I just if you could
just you can look at it. It's not um to
be good information
>> like you send me over electronic copy.
>> Oh okay. Well it's right there too. Um
okay. So then the bus to low. So, I've
had inquiries about the bus to Lolo. So,
people have um a few people had um
emailed me about it or called me about
it. So, um so I did inquire into the
woman who was on the Zoom uh from LRTC
and um she did send us the schedule
which is um in the papers over there,
the schedule. So, that's the schedule,
but it's actually not going to stop at
this point in NSHA, and it's not because
of um DO New Hampshire DOT, it's because
of the Mass DOT. They don't they don't
have the permission for Mass yet to
cross the border. So, u but you can
still go to um at this point Buffalo
Wild Wings and Tingsboro. Um and the
schedule's on the table. So, I do feel
like that really helps um a lot of the
transportation to the Massachusetts
um medical centers. I think that will
help it. And then to the other big
centers in in Low.
>> Are they anticipating that they are
going to get the approval to go across
the line to Nashville?
>> Well, they don't have it yet. So, um I
guess I think they will, but I don't
know the answer to that question.
>> I didn't know if it had me mentioned in
the conversation. That's all.
>> It was a back and forth email. So, um I
I think they assume that they're going
to get it because it's from them.
>> They they do, but you know, they just
don't know. They're they we don't know
and until they know, you know, kind of
thing. And they can only now go to like
Donna was saying the Tesboro side of the
mall, which the Buffalo Wildlings is.
So, but they cannot actually come around
into Nasha until they get the approval.
So, that's that's what we know. That's
where it is. Yeah. And it's free,
>> but it's still at the mall. So that's
the big deal. It's not the it's not on
the national side and it's not
>> but they just can't go swing up to the
market basket like they plan to
um because I think eventually they're
going to go to probably like the food
court side of the mall, but they can't
of course do that yet because they don't
have
>> It's right next to the casino.
>> Yes. Well, now
the casino side
>> as Rocky well knows.
>> Yeah. Walk through to get to the mall.
>> Yeah. Right.
>> Very colorful.
So, so that would be really great if we
could get that. Not that we not that I'm
doing anything about it. Trying to get
the word out as much because we know we
we want to get people on that bus to
keep it going.
>> So, there have been some um requests of
information about that. So, as far as
outreach, there have been 18 outreach
events and I have started announcing the
senior um Nasha transit um renewal
process trying to get that out. Yeah. to
people because the more people know
about something the better off it is for
you and for everybody. Um and then I
also have been announcing the bus to low
meetings. Um so statistics since the
last meeting um May 28th there have been
46 requests for help. Um so the
unfulfilled ride was one caller wanted
the exuda loan which was a $600 loan we
had but digital credit union is no
longer doing that program. So, it's
their decision not to do that $600 no
interest loan. Um, but thanks to Ben
because Ben really got that out. I have
to say that Ben did a good job there
getting that out because a lot of the
calls seem to be from Manchester. So, so
thanks Ben. Um,
>> yeah, I think
>> one caller wanted wheelchair
transportation, but our provider could
not do the ride. Um but I did we do have
a wheelchair directory. So I did send
along the um wheelchair directory. So
there are some other ones there in um
and then one caller needed eight
physical therapy rides from Lionbar to
Milford. Um and but we did one ride for
her but we couldn't just fund the rest
of them. Um so um but it's almost as if
I'm running a call center here. um as
far as like the calls and the community
um the community rides which really um
require a lot of I'm not complaining at
all because it's a very good thing but
it's back and forth with the providers
in the person and um Stephanie as you
know right it's a lot of calls back and
forth to people um
>> so the the PT rides what was the
alternative for that individual
>> so what happened was that um we did one
ride but then her son um could do the
rides, but they um but he was working.
So, my sense is that that's what
happened with the the non the rides that
we just couldn't do that many rides
because it's seven rides, you know,
seven.
>> That would be a really good example of a
followup for outcome to see exactly what
did happen.
>> Sure. you know, I mean, often times
we've had situations where
>> I know we've provided a ride one way
when the family provided the ride the
other way,
>> you know, just to kind of balance that
out. So,
>> when I do have time, I do try to call
people, but it's just like a matter of
like having enough time. The call coming
in, the call's going on here, people go.
One caller said, "You don, you'll like
this. You're my angel."
And then another caller said, "Hope you
get the gold stuff." So there was kind
of there before and it's just past time.
But now is an opportunity.
Who's got something cooking? We want to
hear about concerns, events, updates.
>> Oh god.
>> Yeah. the bike co-op. Um, we're we're
doing we're carrying on what John
started doing. So, we had a bike clinic
at the Ledge Street School two weeks ago
and we also had a bike clinic at the
Boys and Girls Club. That's where John
started his old his own routine
nine 10 years ago. Uh, we're having a
bike clinic at the Tree Street U.
I can't remember the date.
>> July 11th.
>> Saturday. So, they're going to do it in
the morning for the Tree Streets. It's
usually in the afternoon, but they're
going to do it in the morning because
the um Gloria Timmans Community Center
is having their event in the afternoon.
>> So, it's in the morning, the two
streets.
>> Tom Lopez has a lot of the he's the
alderman for that city. Right.
>> So this I think it's probably about the
seventh or eighth year that they do
this.
>> So it's it's a little like a fear
>> for those people living within that
community.
>> We'll be doing a clinic and we'll be
talking about three things.
>> Safety, safety, and safety on bicycles.
So those those are things and I've got
to add what you I'm glad that you get
the grant for the opioid is better than
60% of our clients that get bikes
people who are in the program because of
addiction
>> and they can't drive.
So they come to us and
almost every one of them will say if I
didn't have this bike I'd be driving
without a license and I'd get in worse
trouble.
>> So they're extremely grateful and and
Richard Schwarz who's the new president
now. It came came up with the idea or
the slogan uh old bike new life and it
it's been marvelous been great.
And of course, you don't mention it, but
you're the vice president of the Gate
City Bike Co-op.
>> We'll remember that.
>> we know she was on the board.
>> I was I um I'm on the board of the
community volunteer transportation
company. That's the volunteer driver
program over in the Manadnock region.
And I we had our June board meeting and
we on the agenda was
um
um to talk about the fact that we would
like to have a discussion with them
about them expanding coverage to Monboro
and Wilson. So, so I did talk to them
about that for a little bit. Um,
and left it with that to be continued in
September. They take we're taking July
and August off. So, we wanted to make I
mean, we had talked about it previously,
but I wanted to get it on in their minds
before we broke for the summer. And you
know, come September, we'll probably
have more information from our end.
>> That's very much appreciated. Just to
kind of give you guys a quick update,
too. I think you'll remember back at our
April meeting, Marcy Stanton was here
from Limeboro and they were interested
from the Wilton Limeboro Women's Club of
exploring the notion of trying to do
some volunteer driving out in that area
knowing that our established agencies at
that time weren't ready to roll out and
expand. Um, we met with them on June
1st. Matt, Donna, and myself covered
kind of, you know, what resources are
there, where are the gaps in service.
Um, and had a very good conversation, a
very productive conversation relative to
kind of what it takes to even start, you
know, a very informal BDP or to go all
the way up to like a huge conglomerate
bigger than CBTC kind of thing.
um and they have taken it by you know
they've taken the reigns in hand they
are working on a um survey for their
community and Ben I want to thank you in
region 8 we borrowed your wear survey
gave it to them um with a couple of
other suggestions
and they're kind of rolling forward so
we're looking forward to seeing what
they're going to come out with um and we
did SVTC kind of incorporated ated with
the Wilton Library Women's Club
permission
um some very preliminary advertising
about the initiative to see if we could
solicit some information and we did get
three or four people who were interested
um last Saturday at Wilton Summerfest.
So, you know, the kind of there's a ball
slowly rolling out there. We'll see
where it goes. I know that their um town
administrator who I had a chance to talk
to from Limeboro um is very interested
as well. So that gives them kind of the
background on that piece and a kind of a
catchup.
>> Yeah. So
>> So thank you though for bringing that to
to your board's
>> attention again.
>> You're welcome. We'll we'll go back with
more more information in the fall.
>> You're welcome. Anyone else? Yeah. Go.
>> Um just uh real quick. So, Donna kind of
mentioned it, but um so right now, so
the National Trans National Transit
System, um we offer for persons who are
age 60 and older. Um our senior ID card,
you can ride the regular city bus for
free with the ID card. Um it's something
we do through a state grant program
through the Bureau of Adult and Aging
Services. Um, so in the past what
somebody does is they go to the transit
center and they um go to the ticket
window and they show a form of ID like a
driver's license or a non-drivers or a
passport um and then you can sign up for
the senior ID card that the clerk will
give you a card. It's free. If you lose
it twice then you have to pay for it. Um
anyway, so um but this year the state
has instructed us to start having folks
fill out an application um to get the
card because they just want to gather
some more data, I guess, or something
for the grant program. So it's pretty
basic. It's the same information people
would normally give to us, their name
and date of birth and where they live or
whatever. But then they're also having
folks fill out um on the back of the
application are some survey questions.
So, um, so now, right now, um, down at
the transit center for anybody who's 60
and older, you want to ride the city bus
for free. You go to the transit center,
you fill out the application first, then
you bring it to the the ticket window,
and the clerk will help you um, get your
new card. The cards are good for a year.
So, every June, we get new cards. We
have to print them and get them at a
different color. Um, change the color
every year, but um, when you board the
bus, you show your card and you ride for
free and be on your way.
Is there an enroll enrollment period?
Can you do it any time in the year?
>> You can actually do it anytime. Um it's
just that we change the cards every
June. Like on the flyer now it says like
till July 22nd because I think we were
just trying to get as many people to
sign up, you know, now so that they can
use the card kind of for the full year.
But really you can come any time and and
get the card. So, like even if you came
on June 1st next year, you could get a
card, but then at some point during the
month, you might want to come back to
get like the new one, you know? So, but
yeah,
>> it's to a field trip, right? The bus.
>> There's a bunch of us that qualify.
>> Qualify. Yeah.
>> It was a group.
>> You have to be national residents,
right?
>> Huh?
>> Do you have to be natural residents?
>> There you go. We'll put lunch in the
south end or something.
>> Yeah. There you go.
Well, no. We'll we'll just park our car
in the garage and jump on the bus to go
to Buffalo Wings and then go to the
casino. Right there.
>> In September.
>> There you go. In September.
>> Dots are connecting.
>> Oh, anyways.
>> No, thank you. Please, Carrie. Uh, did
you see my form? My son dropped them off
in your office.
>> Oh, I haven't been there yet today. I've
been um I was at the transit center this
morning and then he came here. So um I
will check for it when I get there.
>> It's not today. He dropped them off the
day he collected them from the doctor's
sir.
>> Oh, okay. Let me um I think I did get
those. Let me I'll give you a call when
I get back.
>> Welcome.
>> All right. Anyone else? If not, I'm not
trying to hurry anyone.
>> I will motion to adjourn. Wait a minute.
All I'm gonna say is have a great July
folks. Have a great July 4th. We'll see
you back here in August. There will be
emails and such coming out in between
now and then. Um but thank you all very
much. Motion to adjourn. Seconded by
Rocky. Yep. We all agree.
>> Great.
>> Thank you to everybody online.
>> Thanks. Thanks, NY. See you guys. Enjoy.