HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-16-COD-min 1
Commission on Disability
May 16, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Sue Cusack, Shaun Grady, Leonard Morse-Fortier, Janet Perry,
Julie Miller, John Rossi, Francine Stieglitz, Nancy Wong
Town Liaisons: Hemali Shah, Chief Equity Officer; Mark Sandeen, Select Board; Jim Kelly, Building
Commissioner
Committee Liaisons: Pam Lyons, Center Committee; Rod Cole, Capital Expenditures Committee;
Stephanie Hsu, Human Right Commission
Guests: Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee: Betty Gau (Chair) and Dave Armstrong; Friends of
Lexington Bikeway and Greenways Corridor Committee (a Selectman’s Advisory Committee):
Peggy Enders (Chair of Lexington Bikeway) and Mike Tabaczynski
A meeting of the Commission on Disability was held on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 5:45 PM – 7:00
PM via zoom (expected adjournment is 7:00 PM).
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, 20 20 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.
On March 29, 2023, Governor Healey signed a bill that continues remote and hybrid meeting
provisions that were enacted during the pandemic. The new law extends pandemic-related
authorizations that were set to expire on March 31 as follows:
• Allowing remote and hybrid meeting options for public bodies through March 31, 2025
Announcements
Discovery Day – May 27
We will have a booth at the event. Victoria will send out a sign-up sheet for times that CoD
members can support the booth. We will have handouts about the work of the Commission,
including the Americans with Disability Act and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Award to John Rossi
Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Rating – AV Preeminent: “The highest peer rating standard. This
is given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal
expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers.”
This award was given to our member, John Rossi, an award that he has received since the 1990s.
Congratulations John!
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Hasting School sidewalk Issue
Janet Perry, Jim Kelly and Victoria Buckley visited the site and made the following
recommendations. To ensure that people are not surprised by the dip in the pavement in front
of the school’s main entrance, we are recommending an additional set of yellow stripes to be
placed at the bottom of the changing grade, similar to the stripes currently found at the top of
this section of sidewalk.
Minutes
The minutes for April 2023 were unanimously approved with minor edits.
Brief update on bus stop issue in front of Conte’s
Pam Lyons reported that the Engineering Department is looking at both potential bus stops to
address the MBTA Guidelines which require completely clear area for any new bus stop. These
two locations include 1666 Mass Ave and in front of Conte’s Bike Shop. Engineering will present
options to the Center Committee next month (June), and then at the Select Board. Currently, the
Conte’s location has three obstructions - two new trees and a bench. The location at 1666 is
clearer, with no obstacles other than the removal of 3 parking spaces. These three spaces could
be recovered at the current location of the bus stop in front of Conte’s Bike.
Motion: The Commission supports the placement of the new bus stop at the setback in
front of 1666 Massachusetts Avenue and not in front of Conte’s Bike Shop. Motion
unanimously approved.
Intersection of concerns of pedestrians (with and without disabilities) and the concerns of
bicyclists
Betty Gau asked Victoria to frame the conversation; the following questions were suggested:
How difficult is it to walk on the Bike Path?
What do we do for increased accessibility on the universal trails to make it work for all
groups?
Betty shared that their committee is focusing on initiatives for general safety on the Bike Path.
This educational focus is on courtesy and teaching good cycling behavior (signals, coming up
behind people) . This education is happening in the schools.
Another big effort relates to the launch of signage focused on elevating courtesy and safety
awareness. 18 different caution signs have been approved by the Select Board and will be seen
along the Bike Path starting this summer. These signs are 18 x 18 and will be posted in the
trouble spots on the bike path where there have been the most reported problems related to
speed and other concerns. The focus is to build awareness that “Your user behavior needs to
regard others.” This awareness includes the behaviors of bikers, walkers, small children, and
pets. They also acknowledged the new challenges related to e-bikes, one wheeled bikes and
scooters.
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From Bow Street to Westview, 64 signs will be placed every half mile with two signs per post.
Focus on Trouble Spots: Victoria shared the concern of the Douglass House residents and getting
across the bike path through the parking lot. Caution signs will be placed in areas that are
problematic, especially near the Depot. The DPW is also proposing installation of flashing lights
at the major intersections. The pathway through the Depot Square parking lot used by Douglass
House residents is a spot that is being explored for unique signage, like a signboard or flashing
lights.
Discussion about Solutions:
Commission members echoed similar concerns about the challenges/threat of aggressive
bicyclists. “Completely unsafe if you are a pedestrian.” The Bike Committee welcomed
suggestions. They have asked for Police to support enforcement. Police Officers are trained on
electric bikes and should be more visible. Mark Sandeen suggested infrastructure changes that
would improve behaviors.
Universal Trail at Willards Woods – how to share that path? One area of concern related to the
North St parking to make it more accessible will be to add a flat area with access to the trail, and
making sure that the meadow and the pond areas are accessible. The trails in these areas are
also going to be made wide enough for side-by-side wheel chairs.
Shawn raised the issue again of courtesy. The signs about courtesy have been consistently
trashed, such as sharing the trail and being kind. Peggy mentioned that the Rail Trail
Conservancy pressed the message about courtesy, and thought maybe it is time to bring them
back. When the committee made a list about the most severe problems, passing was the biggest
issue.
Stephanie Hsu suggested a social media campaign when the signs go up. She suggested groups
like Lexington Mavens https://www.facebook.com/groups/670311759806784/ and to partner
with the cyclists groups in abutting towns.
June 1st at 7:00 is the next meeting of the Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee and will
continue this discussion about the Universal Trail issue.
Peggy Enders mentioned the Walk Massachusetts Council was discussing Boston Brakes, a
campaign supported by the City of Boston’s Commission on Disability. Colleen Flanagan,
Engagement and Outreach Specialist for the City, has produced a video on “Share the Space” in
order to encourage cyclists traveling in bile lanes to share the space and brake for other people
using the space. This project is to raise awareness of the unique needs of people with disabilities.
Resolution Framework: Climate Change & Systemic Racism
This work is a partnership between Maggie Peard, the Sustainability and Resilience Officer, and
Hemali Shah, Chief Equity Officer, to provide senior leadership with a framework to guide policy
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changes, policy development, and the provision of service in all departments in Lexington.
Hemali shared a draft and asked for input.
We acknowledged the importance of this kind of framework. Victoria asked if there were specific
actions that we needed to monitor. She suggested adding more language to track inclusivity in
programming. How can the Commission support Hemali in her work? She is working
methodically to meet all the department leaders, build trust, and provide the support that they
need to promote greater technical and cultural inclusivity in Lexington.
Updates:
Jim is still planning to reach out to the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB) about
their meetings being closed or open – how are they dealing with these public appeals and
notification.
Jim Kelly does not have an update from the Russian School of Mathematics – Lexington.
New Business:
Victoria shared that we may hear concerns from the disability community about recent public
decisions to end the masking requirement.
Bonnie Teitleman is no longer the liaison from the Council on Aging (COA) – we need a new one.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:07 PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Sue Cusack