Public notice is hereby given this 12th day of October, 2020 that
The Birch Tree Communities, Inc. of PO Box 1589, Benton, AR 72018-1589
has made application for funds through Section 49 U.S.C. Section 5310 for the purchase of the following type of passenger transportation vehicle: Medium Roof Conversion Van 13 passenger w/o lift. This vehicle will be used primarily for the following purposes: : Transport individuals, who are chronically mentally ill to day treatment, doctors’ appointments, to their residence, to grocery stores and other activities of daily living. Purchase of the above vehicle is considered essential to the efficient operation of this organization in provision of public transportation services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. There is no intent to infringe upon, or compete with, existing public or private transit operators, including Section 5307, urban public transit operators and Section 5311, rural public transit operators. Birch Tree Communities, Inc is requesting a vehicle that is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, Birch Tree Communities, Inc does meet the “equivalency of service” requirements to individuals with disabilities in the community. Any objection should be submitted in writing only to persons listed below. All comments will become a part of this organization’s application and will be a matter of public record. All written comments must be submitted within 30 days of the date of this notice. Any person wishing to request a public hearing on the proposed project must submit a request in writing within 10 days of the date of this notice to the persons listed below:
Jack Keathley
CEO
Birch Tree Communities, Inc.
P.O. Box 2438
Benton, AR 72018-2438
and to:
Greg Nation, Administrator
Public Transportation Programs Office
Arkansas Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 2261
Little Rock, AR 72203-2261