Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 7/29/2022
WARE – The Ware Select Board met to discuss a variety of agenda items including the Quaboag Connector at their July 19 meeting.
The Quaboag Connector is about five and a half years old. It has grown exponentially since it started running and two months ago had 1,300 rides in one month alone.
Town Manager Stuart Beckley said that the Connector has had challenges when it comes to receiving funding and finding drivers.
“It’s been quite a growing operation. It has challenges in terms of both funding and finding drivers. We’ve expanded by adding scheduling and dispatch software that is proving to make the rides more efficient, but also because of being more efficient, it’s sometimes harder to adjust,” he said.
The Quaboag Connector originally covered about eight or nine towns, according to Beckley, but has now expanded to 10. He said that they continue to grow in terms of curb-to-curb service. Ware continues to occupy a good majority of the rides.
The current budget for the Quaboag Connector is slightly over $400,000. Beckley said that due to COVID-19, the state provided full funding and additional federal funding for the Connector last year.
Those who use the Quaboag Connector have to pay $2 per ride. Many of the riders are those with disabilities, senior citizens, veterans and those without their own transportation who need a ride to work.
The Select Board and Beckley recognized that they want veterans and senior citizens to be able to ride the Quaboag Connector for free and are looking into ways to do so.
Beckley said that is next on his agenda and he will also be reaching out to the other towns that use the Connector to see if they would be willing to contribute toward its cost.
He also emphasized that they are in desperate need of part-time drivers for the Quaboag Connector and encouraged anyone interested to reach out.
The Select Board also approved a portion of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant is currently undergoing construction to fix clogs and add in a new screen. Construction costs have proven to be higher than they initially estimated.
The need for the funds is immediate, as they are concerned there could be a clog that ends up overflowing and leaking into the Ware River.
With these approved funds, the plant will replace the current grinder to prevent this.
The Select Board also used the meeting to remind residents that National Night Out will take place on Aug. 2
Those interested in viewing the Ware Selectboard meeting in its entirety are encouraged to visit the WareTV page.