HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-04-COD-minCommission on Disability
Meeting Minutes for April 4, 2013
5: 45pm to 7: 00 pm
Parker Room, G -1, Lexington Town Hall
Members Present: Victoria Buckley, Janice Cyr, Julie Miller, and Francine Stieglitz.
Members Not Present: Susan Cusack, Michael Martignetti, Leonard Morse - Fortier,
and Janet Perry
Staff Present: Hank Manz
Additional Attendees: Jeffrey Dougan, Assistant Director for Community Service,
MA Office on Disability, Harry Mackay, Fred Johnson, and Maria Haynes
Meeting Began at 5:50PM: We did not have a membership quorum for the meeting.
1. Minutes for the March 7, 2013 meeting were not approved due to a lack of
membership quorum.
2. Presentation 5:45 by Jeffrey Dougan, Assistant Director for Community
Service, Massachusetts Office on Disability — about handicapped parking
fines.
a. The main goal of Jeffery's presentation to our group and other
Disability groups is to help the groups learn the building codes for
accessibility.
b. Jeffery distributed brochures and booklets on Disability Rights Laws
for Massachusetts Chapter 40 Section 8.1 and Section 22G.
c. Part or all of funds collected from parking violations can be used for
Commission projects. Lexington fee is $100. (Some are $100 -300 for
other towns per violation). How many tickets are currently being
written in Lexington? Unknown for Lexington.
d. Chapter 40 Section 22G would allow Lexington to use the parking
funds. This needs to be adopted at a town meeting. Money may all go
to the Commission or a portion of it could be shared with the Town.
(Framingham now shares 50150 with Town and Commission.)
e. What can the funds be used for? "They can be used for the sole
purpose for benefit of persons with disabilities ". Examples of use -
Scholarships for student with disabilities, hire police details to write
and monitor handicapped parking (Jimmy Cataldo is the ticket writer
in Lexington), educational programs, and other special accessible
projects like ramps, etc.
f. Of the 160 Commissions in Massachusetts, —110 are very active -50 to
60 actually collect fines for handicapped parking violations.
g. In Lexington, a Selectman's Article would be needed to support
Chapter 40 Section 22G and to change the rate from $100. to $200 (or
to $300).
h. Jeffrey is willing to help the CoD with this effort.
Commission on Disability
Meeting Minutes for April 4, 2013
5: 45pm to 7: 00 pm
Parker Room, G -1, Lexington Town Hall
3. Presentation 6:15 -6:45 by Fred Johnson on the Cary Hall Renovation plans,
design, approval of the next steps, and construction preparation.
a. The proposal was approved in Town Meeting last night. Significant
objectives of the renovations are to bring the building up to the Life
Safety and Accessibility regulations.
b. Refer to attached document titled Notes on Article 8c — Community
Preservation Committee Project Renovation of Cary Memorial
Building.
c. Fred distributed site plans and discussed some of the key features
listed below.
i. Front — ground level will have 5 Handicapped parking spots.
ii. Basement — wheelchair lift from basement to main floor or to
the level of the stage, ramp will also go to stage in Estabrook
for access.
iii. First Floor- lift from hall to stage and green room,
handicapped bathroom.
iv. Second floor- lift from second floor to Bird Room
4. Discussion of safety issues from the Transportation Forum held on 3/26
a. No time available to discuss
5. Additional new business and update on new projects
a. No time available to discuss
Meeting Adjourned at: 7:00 PM
Next Meeting: May 2, 2013
Meeting Minutes Submitted by: Janice Cyr, Commission Member