New van will increase senior accessibility

WILTON, N.Y. » About 60 people gather at the Lillian W. Worth Senior Center twice per week for a variety of activities such as quilting, movies, Bingo, yoga and physical therapy.

However, attendance is expected to increase significantly thanks to the town’s purchase, assisted by Saratoga County Office for the Aging, of a new

wheelchair-accessible van.

The 2017 Dodge, which cost $35,278, has room for two wheelchairs and comes equipped with a flip-down ramp.

“I’m so impressed,” said Robin Corrigan, senior center director. “It’s beautiful. I like that it’s low to the ground.”

At present, Corrigan picks up many people with her own vehicle. The van, and a team of volunteer drivers, should make it possible for at least 20 more people, including home-bound amputees, to visit the center regularly, she said.

Town of Wilton Supervisor Art Johnson, accompanied by town board members, presented her with keys to the van on Thursday.

Johnson said Corrigan approached him recently about the possibility of having the town buy a van.

“Wilton seniors are an important part of our community,” he said. “We’ve always supported them with funding for programs and trips.”

The Office for the Aging provided about 75 percent of the van’s purchase price, Johnson said.

Money is part of community services funding the office gets from the state.

The office already provides transportation to seniors with vehicles of its own.

However, service is improved considerably when towns have a van, too, said Sandy Cross, Office for the Aging director.

“It’s just another layer,” she said.

Cross attended the key presentation event with her agency’s deputy director, Judy Dahoda-Taylor.

The agency’s primary mission is helping seniors live as independently as possible.

Previously, the Office for the Aging has helped Waterford, Halfmoon, Clifton Park, Corinth and Stillwater purchase vans for seniors.

Wilton’s new vehicle comes from Main Mobility, a firm near Buffalo that specializes in wheelchairaccessible vans.

The senior center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Anyone in need of transportation may call Corrigan at (518) 390-5672.

The center also needs more volunteers to help with driving. Interested persons may call her, too.

PAUL POST — PPOST@ DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM Town of Wilton officials presented a new wheelchair-accessible van to the Lillian W. Worth Senior Center on Thursday. From left are Councilman Steve Streicher, Senior Center Director Robin Corrigan, Councilman John McEachron, town Supervisor Art...

PAUL POST — PPOST@DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM A new wheelchair-accessible van is expected to help more people attend activities at the Senior Center of Wilton. From left to right are center Director Robin Corrigan, Maryanne Taglienta and center President Thomas R. Drew Sr.

PAUL POST — PPOST@DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM Senior Center of Wilton Director Robin Corrigan gives the thumbs-up sign after receiving the keys to a new Dodge, wheelchair-accessible van the town purchased for the center.