The Catskill Chronicle

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (July 17, 2014) – As part of an effort to coordinate and improve the level of transportation services currently provided by Sullivan County agencies and private carriers, the County’s Division of Planning is preparing a Coordinated Transportation Human Services Plan, funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program.

A community meeting to get input for the plan has been scheduled for Thursday, July 24, at 7:00 p.m. at the Sullivan County Government Center, 100 North Street, Monticello, in the Legislative Hearing Room.

Please note: This is a location change from an earlier announcement.

The meeting will include a presentation by consultants on options for coordinating transportation services but will focus on collecting comments on County transportation needs from those attending.

The transportation consultants will also present to the monthly meeting of the Seniors Legislative Action Council (SLAC) on Friday, July 25 at 10:00 a.m. also at the Government Center (Hearing Room). Additionally, community input is being obtained through a Transportation User Survey, which is being distributed through large employers, government agencies and transportation service providers and is also available online via a link from the County’s website (www.co.sullivan.ny.us) or at the website of the County’s technical consultant, LSC Transportation Consultants, Inc. (www.lsccs.com/surveys/sullivan_ny/trans_survey.php).

The consultant team will use information gathered through the survey and meetings to identify transportation priorities and help shape programs that better respond to the community’s needs. It is therefore important to hear from as many voices as possible. Businesses, human service agencies and community groups that have not been contacted but would like to assist in distributing the surveys are encouraged to contact Ethan Cohen at the Sullivan County Division of Planning by email (Ethan.Cohen@co.sullivan.ny.us) or phone at (845) 807-0527. Paper copies are available and, if needed, assistance in administering the survey to various user groups can be provided. Individuals may access and complete the survey online or pick up copies at the Sullivan County Government Center.

The Coordinated Transportation Human Services Plan is a cooperative effort among many County departments, engaged citizens, non-profit human service agencies and private-sector employers, and it builds on the work of the Long Term Care Council Transportation Sub-Committee that started in 2012. The plan will include an inventory of all transportation services in Sullivan County and an evaluation of transportation needs. Interim work products from the plan are posted on LSC’s website at http://www.lsccs.com/projects/sullivan_ny/

For additional information or questions, contact Ethan Cohen of the Sullivan County Division of Planning by email (Ethan.Cohen@co.sullivan.ny.us) or phone at (845) 807-0527.