HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-03-COD-min Commission on Disability
Meeting Minutes September 3, 2015
Members Present:
Victoria Buckley, Chair; Nate Finch; Julie Miller; Len Morse-Fortier; Janet Perry; Francine
Stieglitz; Michael Martignetti
Town Liaisons:
Fred Lonardo, Building Commissioner; Joe Pato, Chair, Board of Selectman; Linda Vine,
Deputy Town Manager; Harry Mackay, Council on Aging
Guests:
Shaun Grady, Lexington Resident; Susan Bennett, Director of Lexington Historical Society;
Susan Rockwell, Board member of LHS; Jeri Zeder, Friends of the Lexington Streetscape
Project
• Minutes from the August meeting will need to be approved at next meeting as there are
several corrections needed.
• Remote Meeting Participation: Discussion about whether Commission should permit
remote participation at meetings, according to M.G.L. c. 30A, Sec. 20(e) —this needs to
be voted in in order to be part of future meetings. Vote was unanimous.
• Depot Building: Susan Bennett, Director of Lexington Historical Society, and Susan
Rockwell, from the Board, came to discuss issues about auditory accommodations in the
Depot Building, especially considering grant from the Dana Foundation, "to fund
installation of Hearing Assist equipment to assist elderly and disabled access at the
Society's building". The grant was to purchase a hearing assistance system and improve
accessibility with power doors. The latter part was completed and the doors work well
now. The auditory enhancement system was purchased but it needs technical training to
run it. Given that the Depot is a rental property, Sue said that it is up to the renters and
participants to request training. The Commission pointed out that people will not ask if
they do not know what is available and asked if LHS could write this on the rental
agreement. Linda Vine suggested including it on the "fact sheet"provided to renters.
• Cary Hall: There will be a test sidewalk strip put at back of police station. Victoria will
contact members to test it when it is ready.
• Center Streetscape and Woburn Street/Massachusetts Avenue Intersection: Jeri
Zeder from Friends of the Lexington Streetscape Project, talked about how that group is
looking for supporters since the most vocal lately have been the opponents. The concerns
most often cited about lights at Woburn Street are visual blight; misunderstanding or
varying interpretations of data from traffic analyses; concern about neighborhood cut-
through traffic to avoid lights. There are also questions about whether there are
alternatives to lights. Commission members are concerned about pedestrian safety, and
the majority of members would like to see the lights installed. Jeri asked if supporters
could sign her petition and write letters to the editors. It was suggested that outreach to
Douglas House would be beneficial to get those residents' point of view about pedestrian
safety in the Center.
• Commission Business Needing Updates:
1. ADA Master List—Linda suggested inviting Pat Goddard to the October meeting.
2. Snow storage and HP parking—We need to invite Bill Hadley to the November
meeting.
3. Parking issues with new building at Muzzey and Raymond—There were no
additional HP spaces added.
4. Clarke School elevator—This was completed over the summer. Michael agreed to go
there and review it.
• Additional new business and update on new projects:
Linda said there were several grand openings coming up.
a. First is the Community Center on October 17. Victoria asked if the
Photovoice display could be there and Linda agreed. A concern was brought
up about the Community Center by Julie. She said she was unable to use the
first floor ladies room as the door was too heavy. Linda said she would follow
up on this with Mark Barrett as several doors need adjusting due to being
heavy. The Center is open M-F 8 AM—9 PM and Saturdays 9 AM—5 PM.
Linda suggested having the November meeting at the Center and she will
arrange this.
b. The other opening is Cary Hall, planned for October 24.
Respectively Submitted: Victoria Buckley