HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-04-COD-min Commission on Disability Meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Members Present: Victoria Buckley, Chair; Sue Cusack; Nate Finch; Len Morse-Fortier, Janet
Perry, Francine Stieglitz
Town Liaisons: Fred Lonardo, Building Commissioner, Joe Pato, Chair, Board of Selectman;
Guests: Shaun Grady, Lexington Resident; Nancy Sofen, Monroe Center
Minutes from May meeting approved with discussed amendments.
Munroe Center for the Arts Presentation by Nancy Sofen, Munroe Center Staff
• Currently the Center leases the building from the town and rents the various spaces to tenants.
• The Center is redesigning the parking area in the rear of the building to include a circular
traffic pattern to help reduce congestion and improve pickup/drop off access.
• In order to do so, they are expanding their parking area by taking over a strip of the grass at the
edge of the playing field.
• In the future, the Munroe Center hopes to improve internal accessibility, however these
improvements are not part of the current renovation plan.
• Currently, the basement level of the building can be accessed via the rear door. However, the
ramp has a steep slope and there is a narrow door opening which makes access a challenge.
• Discussion was about how to make reasonable accommodations within the existing structure.
Possibility of moving a class, typically help on an upper floor, to one of the studio spaces on
the basement level.
• The installing of an elevator and its placement, either in the front or rear of the building, was
discussed.
Selectman Goal Setting:
• Improving accessibility of public meeting spaces for all, especially for those with hearing and
visual disabilities.
• Forming a committee who can provide training on disability awareness to town staff members.
Lexington Center Safety Improvements
• There are many different opinions and stakeholders involved in this project. The purpose of the
public meeting will to hear all perspectives and have a constructive dialogue about the project.
Harrington Park
• Once more information is available about the accessibility improvements, a representative
from the project will come talk with the Commission.
Discovery Day Booth Update
• Many people stopped by the booth and helpful conversations were had with town residents.
New Business
• Fred Lonardo, Building Commissioner, let the Commission know that the Great Harvest Bread
store in center of town is planning to move to East Lexington.
Submitted by Nate Finch