Sterling Meetinghouse News

By Danielle Ray, Senior Reporter

Construction is underway on a three-bay garage at the Sterling Senior Center. The garage will house two Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MRTA) vans the center utilizes to transport seniors, as well as a 2019 Chevy Bolt electric vehicle that is owned and operated by the center. 

Maureen Cranson is chair of the Sterling Senior Center Building Committee. She said the garage project was included in the original proposal and design plan of the Senior Center, which was completed in spring 2016, and that there are several reasons why construction of the garage has been delayed. 

“Bus sizes changed at one point, an electric car was added to mix, and most importantly we wanted to make sure the Senior Center building had all its needs covered,” she said. 

According to Cranson, MRTA, who provides the vans, has always wanted them “under cover.” 

“They have been very patient over the years,” she said. 

Construction of the garage began mid-December by E5 Builders of Leominster. 

“Weather has not always been compliant,” Cranson said, adding that she is “not sure of the completion date. We didn’t hold E5 to a hard date knowing there would be lags in supply availability, but soon.”

Cranson said a portion of the garage will be used for much-needed storage. 

“It will be particularly beneficial for our drivers in the winter,” she said. “The vans are not the easiest to clean off.”

Senior Center Director Veronica Buckley said they have continued to provide transportation services for seniors throughout the pandemic. 

“Now that more medical appointments are becoming in-person and more seniors have received their vaccinations and are feeling more comfortable going out to the grocery stores, our vans are getting busier,” she said. “We follow COVID protocols for sanitation and distancing, only allowing two households at a time on the van.”

Due to COVID protocols, the electric vehicle is currently being used for meal delivery only.

“Prior to COVID, and again sometime in the future, it was used for medical transportation as well,” Buckley said, adding that the garage will greatly benefit the senior center. 

“The garage will provide storage for senior center items in addition to storing the vans and the electric car,” she said. “Keeping our vehicles out of the elements will promote safety for all during weather extremes.”