DD board to eliminate two bus route

March 22, 2016 at 12:02a.m.

AUSTINTOWN

The Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ fleet of more than 40 buses will soon see a slight reduction.

During its regular meeting Monday at Leonard Kirtz School, 4801 Woodridge Drive, the board approved a resolution to dispose of three buses mainly because of age, high mileage and maintenance costs, Superintendent Bill Whitacre said.

All three vehicles are about 16 years old, and no plans have been made to buy replacements, he noted.

Also Monday, no one spoke during the public comment portion about the MCBDD’s recent decision to cut back transportation it provides to its adult clients who attend the Centre at Javit Court in Austintown as well as the Meshel MASCO and Bev Road MASCO workshops, both in Boardman.

The reductions are to start May 2. The Purple Cat, Turning Point, Siffrin and Carousel are among the businesses that likely will offer transportation to the 20 adults who will be affected when two DD bus routes are expected to be eliminated over the next few months, Whitacre noted.

The superintendent also has said the DD board could continue to provide transportation in the event there’s no available alternative.

In other business, several clients were recognized and honored for accomplishments that included displaying a positive personality, setting such an example and helping their peers.

Those who received special recognition were Debbie Crivelli of Meshel MASCO, Patrice Carroll of Bev Road MASCO, Patrick DeStefano of the Centre at Javit Court, Lavoy Bankston of Community Services and Latawon Townsend of Leonard Kirtz.

The next meeting is set for 6 p.m. April 18 at the Centre at Javit Court, 153 Javit Court, Austintown.