Age Friendly South Portland

Age Friendly South Portland - May 13 2026 Agenda Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM South Portland Main Library - Community Room Lower Level (482 Broadway, South Portland) Page A. Opening 1. Call to Order 2 Update May 2026 AFSP.pdf B. Presentation by Mike Tremblay, P.E. Director of Transit Development, Greater 4 Portland Metro Mike Tremblay from Greater Portland Metro will be present to discuss the state of public transportation in South Portland, particularly for seniors. Attached is an Age Friendly Quick Guide for Bus Stops, provided by Jill Johanning from Alpha One. Age-friendly-Bus-Stop-Quick-Guide.pdf C. Review of Minutes 1. Reading of 04/08/2026 Minutes 6 AFSP Minutes 4.8.26.pdf D. Public Comment E. Adjournment Page 1 of 9  ​Age Friendly South Portland Meeting​ ​May 13, 2026​ ​Library Community Room​ ​6-8​ ​Updates/Notes​ ​AF Resource Fair 2026​ ​All of the “Save the Day” emails for the AF resource fair in September were sent in April. The​ ​planning group meets this month on May 20.​ ​The Planning group focus will be marketing and logistics in preparation for September 18. Kathy​ ​Adams​ ​Age Friendly South Portland​ ​May 13, 2026​ ​Emergency Preparedness Project​ ​Magnets (500) listing important city phone numbers have been ordered from the state​ ​and should arrive in the next few weeks. Shara Dee assisted with the layout. We will​ ​distribute the magnets at city hall, the public library, and at public events.​ ​An emergency preparedness presentation is scheduled for May 20 at Betsy Ross​ ​Crossing. This is a collaboration with South Portland Housing Authority and the Fire​ ​Department. We will distribute kits and brochures and take a tally of the number of​ ​radios needed for later distribution. SPHA has funded radios in the past.​ ​Go kits were distributed at Monday Morning Walks hosted by the Police Department.​ ​We will have a display table at upcoming public events. We will include some​ ​emergency preparedness information but will also promote our other projects including​ ​balance improvement and fall reduction. We will position our table next to the​ ​Sustainability Office display so we can help promote the weatherization program.​ ​/Gnome Fest, Mill Creek Park, 11-2​ ​July 4, Bug Light, 5-8​ ​August 8, Art in the Park, 9-4​ ​September 18, Resource Fair, Community Center​ ​Reported by Nancy Crowell​ ​Link to fun event in St. Louis to encourage City Transit ridership.​​Might be fun to try in​ ​South Portland to help increase comfort in riding on the Metro.​ ​https://starkloff.org/roll-through-st-louis-metro-grg-oct-2​ ​https://starkloff.org/roll-through-st-louis-may-2026/025/​ Page 2 of 9 ​Account balances​ ​Primary $5,643.30​ ​605.00 Remainder allocated to Library Programming F/Y 2025​ ​$ 5,038.30 Unallocated​ ​Dyer Foundation $14,167.65​ ​5,000.00 Allocated to Home Weatherization Program​ ​9,167.65 Unallocated​ ​Available funds $14,205.95 as of 4/30 /26​ ​Annual Conference June 1st UMaine​ ​If you will be attending and would like to carpool please let me know by May 13th.​ ​Senior Walks Updates​ ​The South Portland Police Department in partnership with Age friendly South Portland started​ ​their Senior Walks on Monday, April 6th. The walks are on Mondays and start at 9am.​ ​Participants walk at their own pace for 30 minutes and then walk back 30 mins so that everyone​ ​starts and finishes at the same time. Nobody is required to walk the entire time and is welcome​ ​to stop, take breaks or walk for as short or as long as they would like. With approximately 20​ ​people in attendance each walk, SPPD just completed their 5th Senior Walk on May 4th at Bug​ ​Light Park, where WCSH 6 interviewed Detective Caleb Gray and will be doing a piece about​ ​the walks. SPPD’s Wellness Coordinator, Jess Walley, has led yoga/stretching sessions before​ ​multiple walks. Support from local businesses like Coastal Care Solutions and Moving Forward​ ​PT, LLC have also offered to speak to our walkers about support and services that they provide.​ ​Emergency Go Bags, provided by Age Friendly South Portland, are available to everyone at the​ ​walks as well as waters and snacks.​ Page 3 of 9 Age-friendly Quick Guide www.ageing-better.org.uk Bus Stops info@ageing-better.org.uk (+44) 020 3829 0113 What are age-friendly bus stops? Why do they matter? Age-friendly implementation considerations Age-friendly bus stops enable people of all The Equality Act (2010) places a duty on • Listen to lived experiences • Identify stakeholders • Develop solutions with ages to reach services, activities, workplaces, both public transport operators and highway to learn what a diverse such as relevant council residents, stakeholders, and social spaces. In England, concessionary authorities to ensure no protected group range of local residents, departments (e.g. planning, road users, pedestrians, journeys accounted for 28% (1.0 billion) of is disadvantaged by inaccessible bus stop including older people, want transport, community and cyclists to ensure the all local bus passenger journeys in 2025. design. The design of the bus stop and the and need from their bus services), and relevant bus stop is safe and usable Locations with design limitations, such as information provided are essential to help stops. Undertake an access authorities (e.g. the Highway for all. Discuss priorities some rural communities, can still provide people navigate confidently throughout their audit with older people / Authority, public transport and agree improvements accessible locations, information and seating. journey. intergenerational groups. operators). for implementation. 1• Location of bus stops: Are bus stops in 6• Drainage: Is good drainage provided so Age-friendly bus stops: top 10 design considerations safe, easy to access locations near key local water does not pool on footways or the facilities and residential areas (including carriageway kerbside? Are people protected where high concentrations of older people from being splashed while they wait? live)? Are stops close to main junctions? Do stop locations minimise walking distance 7• Kerb features: Is the kerb height at least 2 100mm to allow buses to deploy a ramp between destinations? Are sufficient stops safely? Is appropriate tactile paving used to provided within a community (not just into/ indicate the kerb edge at the boarding point? out of the centre)? Does the pick-up location Are ‘Kassel’ kerbs used where needed to allow wheelchair users to board? allow level boarding? 2• Information (pre-journey): Is information 8• Contrast: Is information/signage provided 1 about routes, timing, ticketing, accessibility 10 8 with enough contrast to be read easily? features and assisted transport services Are features such as seats and bus available online and by post/phone so shelters contrasting from their surrounding people can plan their journey in advance? environment so people can easily identify 5 6 3• Information (at stop): Is clear and up to them? Is the kerb contrasting from the 3 date information about bus routes, timing, carriageway so people can discern where 4 and fares provided at the bus stop? Is live the pavement ends? bus arrivals information provided where possible? Is information available in large 9• Lighting / perceptions of safety: Further reading Inadequate street lighting can contribute to print format and tactile/audio formats? • Department for Is local information (e.g. social and poor perceptions of safety. Are good levels Transport Inclusive 7 of illumination provided at the bus stop (and volunteering activities) shared at the stop? Mobility: A Guide to Best journey to the bus stop)? Is the bus stop Practice on Access to 4• Free from obstructions: Are driver and lighting uniform and even? Does the design Pedestrian and Transport waiting passengers clearly visible to each of the bus stop allow people to be seen and Infrastructure other? Are bus stops located where there is offer clear exit routes? • Welsh Government adequate footway width? Is access to the Travel for All 10 • Maintenance: Local highway authorities bus free of trip hazards and barriers? are responsible for maintenance of bus stop • Accessible Bus Stop 9 Design Guidance, TfL 5• Waiting area: Are stops located where there areas. Is a management plan in place to • Plan an accessible is space for a weather protected shelter? Is ensure street cleaning, maintenance of the journey, TfL seating offered at different heights with arm footway / carriageway, vegetation clearing, rests / back rests? Is a wheelchair space and winter maintenance is performed? Can and a transfer seat provided? people easily report issues on and offline? March 2026 Version 1.0 Page 4 of 9 Age-friendly Quick Guide Checklist www.ageing-better.org.uk Bus Stops info@ageing-better.org.uk (+44) 020 3829 0113 No. Design considerations Y/N Issues and actions notes No. Design considerations Y/N Issues and actions notes 1 Location of bus stops 6 Drainage Are bus stops in safe, easy to access Is good drainage provided so water does locations near key local facilities and 6.1 not pool on footways or the carriageway 1.1 residential areas (including where high kerbside? concentrations of older people live) and Are people protected from being splashed close to main junctions? 6.2 while they wait? Do stop locations minimise walking 1.2 distance between destinations? 7 Kerb features Is the kerb height at least 100mm to allow 1.3 Are sufficient bus stops provided? 7.1 buses to deploy a ramp safely? Does the pick-up location allow 1.4 Is appropriate tactile paving used to wheelchair users to board? 7.2 indicate the kerb edge at boarding points? 2 Information (pre-journey) Are ‘Kassel’ kerbs used where needed to 7.3 Is information about routes, timing, allow level boarding? ticketing, accessibility features and 2.1 assisted transport services available 8 Contrast online and by post/phone? Is information/signage provided with 8.1 enough contrast to be read easily? 3 Information (at stop) Are features such as seats and Is clear, up to date information about bus bus shelters contrasting from their 3.1 8.2 routes/timing/fares provided at the stop? surrounding environment so people can 3.2 Is live bus arrivals information provided? easily identify them? Is information available in large print Is the kerb contrasting from the 3.3 8.3 carriageway so people can discern where format and tactile/audio formats? the pavement ends? Is local information (e.g. social and 3.4 volunteering activities) shared at the stop? 9 Lighting / perceptions of safety 4 Free from obstructions 9.1 Are good levels of illumination provided at the bus stop (and journey to the stop)? Are driver and waiting passengers clearly 4.1 9.2 Is the bus stop lighting uniform and even? visible to each other? Are bus stops located where there is Does the design of the stop allow people 4.2 9.3 adequate footway width? to be seen and offer clear exit routes? 4.3 Is bus access free of hazards/barriers? 10 Maintenance and care Is a management plan in place to 5 Waiting area ensure street cleaning, maintenance of Are stops located where there is space for 10.1 the footway / carriageway, vegetation 5.1 a weather protected shelter? clearing, and winter maintenance is Is seating offered at different heights with performed? 5.2 arm rests / back rests? Is a wheelchair Can people easily report issues on and space and a transfer seat provided? 10.2 offline? Page 5 of 9 Age Friendly South Portland Regular Meeting Minutes April 8, 2026 - 6:00 PM​ South Portland Main Library - Community Room, Lower Level Attendees: ●​ Members: Maxine Beecher, Karen Taylor, Rachael Coleman, Nancy Crowell, Andy Chandler, Jason Adour ●​ Other: Chris Pupke (Staff Liaison), Sue McCormick (public). ●​ Excused absences: Carol, Tony 1. Call to Order The regular meeting of the Age Friendly South Portland was called to order at 6:00 PM by Maxine. 2. Approval of Minutes The minutes from the previous meeting held on March 11, 2026 were reviewed. Maxine moved to accept the minutes. Lisa seconded with the correction of adding her name to the attendance list. Passed unanimously. 3. Old Business ●​ Winter Programs ○​ Carol was unable to attend due to personal reasons but did send a message that hopefully the snow shoveling season was over. ○​ Lisa noted that Public Works has used the leftover big blue sand buckets. There are 12 small orange buckets remaining. Lisa believes there will be a need to buy 100 more buckets this fall. Karen moved to approve this purchase; Nancy seconded. Passed unanimously. ●​ Senior Walks ○​ Lisa and Nancy attended the inaugural walk. They report there was a strong turnout. ○​ Lisa noted that South Portland Parks & Recreation does not offer walking poles as part of the Recreation Loan program. Lisa spoke to Page 6 of 9  the Sustainability Department and they agreed to set aside any walking poles that are donated for the Committee. ●​ Proposed Projects for 2026 Updates ○​ Project Lifesaver: ■​ Lisa noted she is still waiting to hear back from PD regarding Project Lifesaver. ■​ Lisa did some research and according to Project Lifesaver’s website, the cost to startup is about $6000. The wristband trackers are about $40 each. Nancy wondered if insurance would cover this. ○​ Balance: Falls Prevention and Falls Intervention ■​ Jason did another Falls Prevention seminar at South Portland Housing Authority’s Ridgeland Estates. He updated the handout for this event. ■​ The next event will be at Betsy Ross House, date TBD. ■​ Lisa noted Nicole at SPHA has had positive feedback for these events. ■​ For the Falls Intervention piece, which is when EMS refers people who have fallen, Jason has connected with 7 individuals from these referrals. ■​ Jason noted that one discussion point that came up at the Falls Prevention event was the issue of SPHA residents cleaning off their cars after a snowstorm. Lisa and Nancy noted that many years ago, SPHA staff would help with cleaning off vehicles but has not done this in some time. Discussion was held regarding possible solutions to help with this. ○​ Rec Brochure ■​ AFSP was included in the rec brochure. ●​ External Age Friendly Maine Board ○​ Andy presented. He is a member of the Lifelong Maine Strategic Advisor Council. Daren Smart, who is the vendor for the Committee’s Smart Home Program, is also a member and at the last meeting presented on setting up echo dots/smart home devices. ○​ As an aside, Lisa noted that SPCTV presented a segment on the Smart Home Program on their South Portland Forward program. 4. New Business Page 7 of 9 ●​ Home Weatherization Program ○​ Lisa noted that she and Nancy have been working with the Sustainability Department, the Housing Authority and Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Access Home Repair Program. ○​ Sustainability is setting up a new program to assist residents with home weatherization. The process involves energy coaching audits, which will be completed with staff from the Sustainability department in conjunction with an outside contractor to complete energy audits. ○​ The goal is to have 50 participating households. ○​ The first step will be community outreach, which is where this Committee will be assisting (like the Committee’s Emergency Preparedness outreach project). ○​ Lisa noted that they will work with SPCTV to air a PSA regarding the program. ○​ The Committee submitted a AARP Challenge Grant for this program, specifically for funding outreach and Weatherization Kits, which include small, easy to install components that residents can use on their own. ○​ Nancy noted that the Committee can help with the public outreach, staffing tables etc and that the rest of the participants will provide the materials. ○​ There was also talk of hosting a Window Dressing event next year, potentially with City Staff volunteers. ○​ Nancy noted that Passivhaus Maine is an organization that promotes energy efficiency. On June 3rd, they will offer a training session for volunteers, which Lisa and Nancy will attend. ○​ Lisa presented that Sustainability has asked the Committee to help with the outreach and by providing their branding/reputation. Also, there may be a request to sponsor the program for $5,000 to help with startup: helping to produce kits, printing costs, etc. Sustainability has money in their department budget as well, so the costs are not only on the Committee. Lisa suggested that, if the Committee were to pay, that they use the Dyer account. ○​ Nancy moved to approve $5000 from the Dyer fund to support the Sustainability's Department Weatherization Program to help with initial startup, outreach, setting up kits and packets. Karen seconded. Passed unanimously. ●​ May Meeting Agenda Planning Page 8 of 9  ○​ Lisa proposed that the Committee invite representatives from Greater Portland Metro to the May meeting to discuss ways to help Metro increase ridership. ○​ Lisa would also like to invite the City Clerk as a guest to the May meeting as well. ●​ Spring Fest ○​ Nancy noted that the Committee will be attending Spring Fest along with the Sustainability department. This will be held on May 16th in Mill Creek Park. Both AFSP and Sustainability will have tables that will be next together so that the Committee can assist with providing information regarding the Home Weatherization Program. Nancy asked what the Committee would like presented on the Committee’s own table; she noted that she can present on Emergency Preparedness as this material is already prepped and ready to go. 5. Public Comment ●​ Members of the public were invited to share comments or concerns related to the Age Friendly South Portland Committee. ○​ Karen noted that on April 11 an event called PJs and Pancakes event will be held at the Library. This is a family event. ○​ Nancy asked Jason if there’s any info she can present while staffing tables at upcoming events regarding the Balance program. 6. Adjournment A motion was made by Nancy to adjourn the meeting at 7:28. The motion was seconded by Lisa and passed unanimously. Minutes submitted by Chris Pupke, Director of Social Services, Committee Staff Liaison and interim Secretary. Page 9 of 9