Minutes - 19740506 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~~~~ "This request is made on behalf of the elderly residents of Chapel Hill and their problem of mobility within the area. Specifically, we are requesting that the Orar_ge County Commissioners consider purchasing 1200 bus passes for the Chapel Hi11 elderly at a total seat of $35,000. This provision would enable our retired adults to benefit to the utmost from the forthcoming Chapel Hill public transit system. The plight of the elderly and the relative isolation of many of them because of the lack of any suitable transportation was brought into sharp focus by the White House Conference on Aging in 1971. This problem was regarded to be so crucial that it was one of the major areas explored for solutions. Upon retirement, most persons suffer from reduced income; and, in addition many suffer from physical impairments that prevent them from driving an automobile. Transportation can add s strain to an already reduced budget, thus intensifying the problem of isolation. Consequently, one of the high priority objeotives recommended by the White House Conference for action in the 70's was the need for: "Development of mass transportation and/or diverse mobility systems which ors responsible to the unique needs of older people." According to the 1970 census, 1131 persona over 65 resided within the Chapel Hill corporation limits. This does not include those persons over 65 who live in residential areas on the periphery of Chapel Hill, but outside the corporate limits. And, of course, the above number is now considerably larger. About 75 newly retired persona move to Chapel Hill each year. In addition to those who move to Chapel Hill, approximately 60 local persona retire annually from the University of North Carolina alone, and most of these remain in the community. This does not include persons retiring from other occupations for which we have bean unable to get a reliable figure. These facts lead us to estimate that there must be betweer_ 1500 and 1800 persona now residing in Ckiapel Hill who are 65 years or older. The number of new retirees ti-ill increase dramatically as persons retire earlier and life-expectancy becomes longer. Not only is it important to consider the needs of the elderly with respect to the essential activities of their daily living, but 5.t is also important, both for the elderly and the community, to consider their abilities to contribute in mear_ingful ways to the community through volunteer services. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Chapel Hi11, in lass than one year of operation, now sends volunteers to Memorial Hospital, the Chapel Hill-Oarrboro Sehoole, the Botanical Garden, the Inter-Church Council, a Day - Care Center, the Recreation Department, and the Multi-Purpose Center. Many ' more would volunteer if no-cost transportation were available. Assuming that approximately 1200 elderly citizens would be using the new Chapel Hi11 bus system, for the equivalent of $1.00 per weak in bus fares, this would cost the elderly a total of $62,!{.00 per year. To help in alleviating this situation, and at the same time to help the new bus ' system get off to a goad start, the Town of Chapel Hi11 requests the Orange County Commissioners to consider making a grant of $36,000 per year for the purchase of bus passes for the Chapel Hill elderly. The County Commissioners could specify the criteria for the issuance of passes as well as the mcat appropriate means for their distribution." Discussion ensued concerning how many citizens would be affected by the proposed request and hou many would come within poverty income levels. It was pointed out that the busses would have facilities for assisting the handicapped and that the buses would insure the over 65's of transportation to and from downtown facilities. Mr. Cohen stated that the County might consider a eliding scale approach to the matter and that this could be based on a persons income. He stated further that the passes would be non-transferable and that the Town planned to color code the passes in order to insure that only the proper persons were served by the pass. Discussion ensued. No action was taken on the request, • however the Board agreed to study the matter. The Clerk read the following note from Alice A, ln'ilkins: "Hillsborough waste water is routed through my yard causing damage. The soil is washed into r~io River causing over $1}00.00 damage. I am 68 years of age. My taxes have been raised." Mr. Gattis informed Mrs. ?4ilkins that he felt there were two items whirr she wished discussed and that she had an option to appeal her tax valuation to the Board of Equalization and Review, however, the matter of the water problem would have to be brought to the attention of the State Board of Transportation. The Clerk was instructed tv contact the Local Supervisor oT the State Board of Transportation ar_d request that Mra. Zailkins's problem be investigated. Commissioner Flora Garrett brought to the attention of the Board the fact that the Council of Governments requested a tentative approval of $12,588.Op for their 1971G-1976 Budget. Upon motion cf Commissioner k'lora Garrett, seconded by Commissioner Henry 5. 'balker, it was moved, that tentative approval of the $12,588.00 budget request for the Council of Governments be approved.