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From organizing cribbage and bingo to supporting Jordan Bay’s garden, now known as “Benny’s Blossoms,” Age-Friendly Raymond has been busy! Their classroom-based pen-pal program matches over 50 fourth grade students with older adults looking to connect with students. In addition, Age-Friendly Raymond organizes art classes and tech support. Until recently the A-F coordinator, Debby Tarr, , would drive people to appointments and errands.
When a member of the town Select Board realized Ms. Tarr was doing a lot of driving and considered the liability involved, the town got to work to address the issue of transportation. As a result, a warrant article on the June 2025 town ballot asked residents to support the Regional Transportation Program (RTP) van service. Support for the new program was emphatic, and the initiative passed 417 to 262.
Raymond will pay $67,500 annually to support residents who need a ride from their house to the library, an activity, or to other destinations in Raymond or Windham. Some riders will qualify for free services, while others will pay $3 whenever they board the van. Rides should be scheduled in advance, and vans are equipped for accessibility.
Van service in Raymond began on August 4, 2025. Ms. Tarr tells us that ridership has been growing in the first two months and points out that rides are available for people of all ages. Now that she is no longer transporting as many people herself, Ms. Tarr is planning innovative ways to get the word out about this service and new strategies to meet the needs of other Raymond residents. She was instrumental in getting the RTP postcards out and flyers up in local businesses.
Ms. Tarr said, “This transportation program has given our residents the ability to do business in Raymond and Windham. It gives them a feeling of independence, of not feeling isolated just because they do not have access to a vehicle. It’s wonderful to feel the support of this town.
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