By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – A grant for $829.77, awarded to the Marlborough Council on Aging (COA) by the Massachusetts Rural Transit Assistance Program (MArtap) Advisory Committee, was accepted by the City Council at the March 21 meeting. It will be used to purchase a voice-activated GPS, first aid kits, severe weather kits and other transportation equipment for the senior intra-city passenger van, according to COA Executive Director Patricia Pope.
In other business, Councilor Katie Robie is asking councilors to work with the COA and the mayor’s office to explore the steps necessary and the benefits of becoming a member of AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities.
AARP has created this network as an affiliate of the World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Program, an international effort to help cities prepare for rapid population aging and the parallel trend of urbanization. Participation in the program advances efforts to help people live easily and comfortably in their homes and communities as they age, according to Robie. Membership also includes a written pledge by the mayor to commit to a continual cycle of improvement.
The order was referred to Mayor Arthur Vigeant, the COA and the City Council Human Services Committee for study and action.