HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-24-COD-min
Commission on Disability
March 24, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Sue Cusack, Shaun Grady, Leonard Morse-Fortier, Janet Perry,
John Rossi, Francine Stieglitz, Nancy Wong
Town Liaisons: Hemali Shah, Chief Equity Officer; Mark Sandeen, Select Board
Committee Liaisons: Pam Lyons, Center Committee; Stephanie Hsu, Human Rights Commission
Guests: Dan Brzycki, Architect for the Russian School of Mathematics; Vladimir Kondratenok,
Russian School; Koren Stembridge and Alissa Lauzon, Cary Memorial Library
Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open
Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 and subsequent Orders
imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of
the Lexington Commission on Disability will be conducted via remote participation to the
greatest extent possible.
On July 16, 2022, Governor Baker signed into Law an Act Relative to Extending Certain State of
Emergency Accommodations, which, among other things, extends the expiration of the
provisions pertaining to the Open Meeting Law to March 31, 2023. Specifically, this extension
allows public bodies to continue holding meetings remotely without a quorum of the public body
physically present at a meeting location, and to provide "adequate, alternative" access to remote
meetings. The Act does not make any new changes to the Open Meeting Law other than
extending the expiration date of the temporary provisions regarding remote meetings.
Minutes
The minutes for February 2023 were unanimously approved.
Farmers Market Accessibility
Victoria met with Melissa Battite, representatives from the Farmers Market and David
Pinsonneault to look at current site on Worthen Road where the practice field is. David then took
engineers to the site and found two spots on the pathway that needed to address problems with
the cross slope and down slopes. He also will attend to access from the parking spaces from the
Worthen entrance.
The Market opens at the end of May. Additional parking spaces will be made available on the
Park Drive entryway.
Francine recommends that at least 2 people who are in wheelchairs and our member who has a
vision impairment could be beta testers for these changes.
Other DPW Updates
David Pinsonneault did talk to John Linvsey and shared that the sidewalk measurements came in
all under the tolerance when tested for smoothness. The baseline testing will happen every
couple of years. He said there was funding earmarked for annual inspection. He was happy to
confirm that the installation of the new sidewalks was correct and should last for a while.
The Commission suggested that the DPW come to a meeting to update us on different town
projects, and anticipate regular participation in the committee meetings.
Dan Brzycki - Variance Request for 7 Hartwell (Russian School of Mathematics)
This building sits near the intersection of Hartwell Ave and Bedford Street. The plan is to
renovate the 2-story building, create new classroom space, and new toilet fixtures. The first floor
has been designed to be accessible, but the basement and the second floor are not. They plan to
add a new egress to/from the basement to meet code requirements. The 2nd floor has 4
classrooms and 2 toilets.
The variances requested relate to asking for relief to avoid making the building fully compliant.
They have suggested that all of the classrooms are the same, so they can move a class scheduled
to be offered on the second floor to one of the 9 classrooms on the first floor if someone needs
access consideration. They also do not intend to make the bathrooms on the second floor
accessible.
The remaining variances relate to the basement. They have identified where a future lift could
be installed if they decide they want to open up the space later with a lift to the second floor,
but not to the basement. Current plans suggest that they will not be opening up that space.
They are making the kitchen accessible, and improving access to the side door by regrading that
access route. Curb cuts and walkways from the new accessible parking spaces will be installed.
The Commission did not support the request for variances. They offered that the entire building
needed to be brought up to ADA specification, suggesting it was insufficient to say that they
would move classrooms and not use the basement. Additionally, there was a lengthy discussion
about the use of gender neutral bathrooms. It was suggested that they find a way to design
gender neutral bathrooms and meet the code requirements for staff facilities. It was also
suggested that we would need to see plans for an elevator to ensure access to the basement and
the 2nd floor.
We voted unanimously for a list of alternative suggestions related to the variances. Victoria will
write a letter to the MAAB.
Update by Koren Stembridge and Alissa Lauzon about library events and happenings
Koren shared plans for a feasibility study to renovate the Children’s Room and the Larger
Meeting Rooms. Suggestions were made to make the restrooms more accessible with automatic
doors and a changing table. We were grateful to hear about these plans so far in advance, and
the library’s willingness to reach out to the Cotting School to recruit student participation in this
design process. This form of expert user participation is what we hope for as the community
bridges these design issues.
Other Library Updates
Parker Meadow and Library Story Walk - Koren asked if the installation of the story walk gets in
the way of people experiencing nature in Parker Meadow, as some people have stated in
protest. Victoria was surprised that there was opposition to this innovation. Francine loves it
and did not think it detracted and shared her appreciation for its accessibility. The Commission
fully supported the addition of storytelling to Parker Meadow.
Fairy Tale Ball on April 14
Alissa Lauzon discussed a 5-6-hour sensory program at the library. This celebration of fairy tales
will include a sensory room and scavenger hunts.
Update from Collaborative Reform Workgroup
Stephanie has been co-leading as part of both the Human Rights Committee and as a member of
the Mental Health Awareness Day committee and submitted a report with the request to
become an independent committee.
Our next meeting is on April 18, 2023. Meeting adjourned at 7:15pm .
Minutes submitted by Sue Cusack and Victoria Buckley