Templeton's Council on Aging adds a new van to existing fleet

Templeton's Council on Aging adds a new van to existing fleet

Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer

News staff photo by ERYN DION

State Representative Denise Andrews D-Orange (left), Council on Aging Director Bethany Loveless (back left), Board of Selectmen Chair Jeffrey Bennett (front left) , and several senior center regulars pose inside the recently purchased COA van.

TEMPLETON — Templeton’s Council on Aging will soon add a new vehicle to their fleet, allowing more comfortable and reliable transportation for area seniors.

The van, a 14- seater 2005 Ford ElDorado, was up and running at Templeton’s Highway Department building Tuesday morning, although it is still waiting for the mechanic’s final inspection before officially entering into service.

“It’s a very important addition,” said Jeffrey Bennett, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, who came to see the new vehicle. “It keeps the senior center project moving forward, and it’s been a long time coming.”

State Representative Denise Andrews (D-Orange), who played an instrumental role in negotiating the price, took a tour of the van’s interior, along with Mr. Bennett and several senior center regulars. Council on Aging Director Bethany Loveless said the Representative was a “tremendous help” throughout the process and was glad she could come out to see the finished product.

Templeton’s COA, with support from the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority, runs a three-van transportation program for seniors and disabled residents. According to Ms. Loveless, the program has provided over 5600 rides to 120 seniors in the area since last July.


“One van is used daily for shopping and other errands in Gardner,” Ms. Loveless explain. “And another is always available for medical trips to various destinations based on the needs of our clients.  The third is used for our twice a week trips to the Winchendon Senior Center for lunch.”

Dispatcher Don LeBlanc manages incoming calls, while drivers Russell Clark, Bill Buckler, Joe Arsenault, Bob Goguen, Jim Cornwell, and Ron Lewis provide timely and efficient service.

The new van will be replacing a 2003 Dodge Ram, which was also present Tuesday morning. It currently has over 178000 miles and is sporting significant body damage. Ms. Loveless used her contacts and knowledge from her previous post with Groton’s COA to find a recently decommissioned van to bid on.

Through grant funding and help from Rep. Andrews, the COA was able to purchase the new vehicle for a paltry $1634. The new van is a significant upgrade from the Dodge’s limited seating and cramped aisle and once it receives the go ahead from the mechanic it will be put on the road. The old vehicle will then be decommissioned, and could possibly be put up for bid.

The new Senior Center project is also well underway, with a projected spring opening. The 10,000 sq. foot facility will be a huge upgrade and will feature a game room, art room, kitchen, offices, and a library, as well as a home for Templeton and Phillipston’s Food Pantry.