Enter sandman: Orange man starts program to bring sand to senior residents

Orange resident Mark Monette got the idea to deliver free sand to senior citizens’ homes. With the town’s permission, he uses town sand kept on East River Street, pictured.

Orange resident Mark Monette got the idea to deliver free sand to senior citizens’ homes. With the town’s permission, he uses town sand kept on East River Street, pictured. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

By DOMENIC POLI

Staff Writer

Published: 12-23-2024 11:08 AM

Modified: 12-23-2024 2:13 PM


ORANGE — Mark Monette wants to help senior citizens get their footing this winter.

The nearly lifelong resident has started a program in which he delivers free sand to older people’s homes so they can spread it on ice and snow for increased traction.

“I own a business in Orange and so I got to a lot of houses. And seniors, they’re always concerned about people coming to their house because ... their walkway might be slippery or whatever,” Monette said. “I just thought it would be good to give back to the town a little bit.”

Monette got the idea and reached out to Selectboard Chair Tom Smith, who got Highway Superintendent Larry Delaney’s blessing for Monette to use town sand kept on East River Street.

Any senior citizen who is in need of sand delivery in Orange can fill out the online form at tinyurl.com/SandForSeniors or call the Town Clerk’s Office at 978-544-1100, ext. 2, to be added to the list.

“I plan on doing it every weekend,” said Monette, who owns Quality Pest Management.

The deliveries are limited to private houses in Orange — no apartments or public housing. And liability concerns mean Monette can only deliver the sand, not spread it. Still, he said, the people he has delivered to have been extremely grateful.

“They’re very appreciative,” he mentioned.

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Monette explained he uses buckets donated by the town’s Recycling Center/Transfer Station and delivers them in his pickup truck.

Smith said he was thrilled when Monette contacted him about the idea.

“The town of Orange is very appreciative of Mr. Monette’s generosity and kindness,” Smith said, “to assist our senior citizens with the sand delivery.”

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com.