The Rochester Council on Aging's plan to replace an old van recently got a $44,510 boost.

Last week, the Council on Aging received the Mobility Assistance Grant, which is awarded by the state’s Department of Transportation.

“It’s a wonderful gift,” said Council on Aging Director Sharon Lally. “It’s a very competitive grant so I was ecstatic.”

With one of the Council on Aging’s three vans in need of extensive repairs, Lally said she was thrilled to be able to put the grant money toward a replacement.

“The van we have is a 2005 and it’s very small,” Lally said. “It needs a lot of repairs. We go out everyday and we are the only transportation in town for seniors who don't drive.”

Lally said the grant would cover most of the cost for a new nine-seat passenger van, but an additional $11,000 would also be needed.

Lally said she has been discussing additional funding options with town officials and added that she was confident the van could be paid for and delivered by the spring.