Submitted by Laura Sostak
Chatham Borough, Chatham Township and Madison Borough recently received Sustainable New Jersey’s 2018 Collaboration Award for their partnership with Tri-Town 55+ Coalition in building lifelong, age-friendly communities. The award was presented at the Annual Sustainable Jersey Luncheon held during the New Jersey League of Municipality Conference in Atlantic City.
Every day for the next 10 years, 10,000 people will turn 65. By 2030, 1 in every 5 people will be 65 or older. “With this shift in the population demographic, communities must assess their environments and ensure the needs of older adults are part of the towns master plan. Equitable housing, access to transportation services, opportunities for social and civic engagement and lifelong learning opportunities are important assets to ensure older adults remain vibrant and valued members of the community,” says John F. Hoover, Vice President of Tri-Town 55+ Coalition and Madison Councilman.
Together with municipal leaders, local businesses, non-profit and public agencies, Tri-Town Coalition is implementing programs and services based on feedback from a 2016 Community Needs Assessment Survey. One of the first key initiatives implemented by the Coalition was the Rides for Seniors Program, an on-demand car service to help those 65 and older in the three towns get to where they want to go, when they want to go, without a smartphone.
“We are very pleased to hear that Tri-Town 55+ Coalition is being recognized for its work in Madison, Chatham Borough and Chatham Township. The partnership started with a very successful Rides for Seniors which now has over 350 registered riders and has provided 3,000 rides since April 2017. The Tri-Town 55+ Coalition is improving our communities through a dedicated design strategy for life long living for seniors,” says Robert H. Conley, Mayor, Madison Borough.
Recognizing older adults as an asset to the vitality of the local economy, the Madison Chamber of Commerce and Tri-Town 55+ Coalition launched its Age-Friendly Business initiative in the fall of 2017. The Chamber and the Coalition are working with local businesses to ensure that they are accessible, offer a comfortable atmosphere and provide great service to attract this growing population. These measures enhance the quality of life for the whole community and local businesses are becoming a desired destination for older adults.
Last spring, the Coalition collaborated with the Mayor’s Wellness Committee of the Chathams on an exciting new project, Chatham’s Urban Track. Recognizing the importance of walkable communities to improve public health and quality of life, the Mayor’s Wellness Committee of the Chathams created a self-guided walking tour along the sidewalks on the Borough’s Main Street. Places of historic, economic, and social interest are highlighted along the way, along with comfortable rest stops to make the track inviting for walkers of all ages.
“Chatham Borough is delighted that Madison, Chatham Township and Chatham Borough are being recognized by Sustainable Jersey for their collaboration with the Tri-Town 55+ Coalition. Because of our close association on this and other programs and shared services, it makes it very easy for the Tri-Town 55+ Coalition to be the success it is,” says Bruce A. Harris, Mayor, Chatham Borough.
Tri-Town 55+ Coalition is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that partners with representatives of business, civic and public organizations in the Madison, Chatham Borough and Chatham Township community to address the quality of life and diverse needs and interests of older adults and their families. The Coalition identifies, implements, promotes and sustains programs and services for lifelong living based on the World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly themes. Residents of all ages are welcome to. To learn more, please call Tri-Town 55+ Coalition at 862-246-6065.
(above, l-r) Sustainable Jersey Board of Trustees Chairperson Richard Dovey, Chatham Borough Council Member Len Resto, Chatham Borough Mayor Bruce A. Harris, Madison Council Member and Tri-Town 55+ Vice President John Hoover, Chatham Borough Council Member Victoria Fife, Sustainable Jersey Executive Director Randall Solomon, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Air Quality, Energy & Sustainability Assistant Commissioner Paul Baldauf.
