HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-20-COD-min 1
Commission on Disability
June 20, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Sue Cusack, Shaun Grady, Leonard Morse-Fortier, Julie Miller,
John Rossi, Francine Stieglitz, Nancy Wong
Town Liaisons: Hemali Shah, Chief Equity Officer; Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner
Committee Liaisons: Pam Lyons, Center Committee; Elaine Dratch, Transportation Committee
A meeting of the Commission on Disability was held on Tuesday, June 20, 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, 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.
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
Announcement - Discovery Day
Special thanks to Victoria Buckley, Robin Lovett, Francine Steiglitz, Nancy Wong, Julie Miller, Len
and Lucy Morse-Fortier, and Sue Cusack for providing the community with information and
support about our mission and work in the community.
Review of minutes from May
Approved with minor edits.
Collaborative Reform Working Group Report
The Commission voted unanimously to support the report being advanced to the Select Board.
The report details their work since March and requests:
• to become a formal sub-committee under the Commission for Disability so that meetings
can become posted and more accessible to the public
• to fully support getting a full-time clinician embedded in the police department and to
research funding for this valuable initiative
• to design and implement a community conversation about mental health needs (possibly
in September)
• to continue to identify issues impacting equitable services to people with diverse issues
2
• to create a table of town/city services
• to provide a training in cultural competency
(CR Report, June 2023)
Bus stop issue in front of Conte’s
Pam Lyons reported on the meeting with Center Committee and DPW. A bus stop has been
moved form 1666 Massachusetts Avenue to in front of Conte’s Bike Shop at 1684 Massachusetts
Avenue. The current location has several challenges including (1) lack of consideration by the
Streetscape Committee, (2) lack of request for consideration of the Commission’s opinion, and
(3) technical challenges related to obstructions as identified by the MBTA Guidelines (such as no
tree grates). Pam shared our concern for these issues but the DPW Engineering team did not
suggest that any changes to the current location would be initiated. The Center Committee
asked for other locations to be considered eastward of 1666. This issue will be advanced to the
Select Board. In the meantime, we will be asking John Livsey and Ross Morrow to attend a
Commission meeting to talk further about these issues and the procedures for moving bus stops.
Update on Farmers’ Market
Francine reported that she went over the Market with Janet. There are 2 parking spaces in from
of the entrance to the market. There was no one there to tell people where to go, there was a
car blocking the path, and the pathway is less steep, but it was covered with gravel which is not
accessible. The Worthen Road entrance has two parking space but there is a problem with no
signage. It was agreed that more signage was needed as well as an individual to help guide
people to the accessible parking, and the request to explore alternatives to the gravel. DPW will
continue to work on these issues.
55 Bedford Street
There is a new owner at the Liquor store formerly known as Busa Liquors at 55 Bedford Street.
There is a sign missing at the accessible parking space. Jim Kelly has asked them to replace it.
Russian School of Mathematics
They were denied their variance. There are no other current updates about their next steps.
Muzzey High Condominiums
Victoria was asked by the Town Manager to follow-up on a complaint about a broken Automatic
Door Opener at the condominiums. The complaint was registered by a resident who lives in
building with the support of Section 8 Housing. The door problem was resolved but there were
concerns registered by the condominium association about the Commission’s authority to
follow-up on this complaint. We are unclear about where the responsibility should be placed for
ADA compliance for buildings that mix private and Section 8 residences. We will follow-up on this
question.
New Business
No new business
Meeting Adjourned 7:10pm Minutes respectfully submitted by Sue Cusack