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Commission on Disability <br /> Meeting Minutes January 11, 2018 (snow date replacing 1/4/18) <br /> Members Present: Victoria Buckley(Chair), Shaun Grady, Julie Miller, Len Morse-Fortier, <br /> Janet Perry <br /> Town Liaisons: Kelly Axtell, Assistant Town Manager; Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner; <br /> Joe Pato, Selectman; Jeffrey Toronto, Human Rights Committee; Sandy Beebee, Capital <br /> Expenditure Committee <br /> Agenda: <br /> 1. December's meeting minutes were accepted. <br /> 2. Jim Kelly, new Building Commissioner, was introduced to the group. <br /> 3. Victoria announced the 2018 MLK Day Community Conversation on Race was <br /> coming up on January 15 and asked members to try to attend as it concerns the work <br /> the Commission is doing with the Human Rights Committee on disparate rates of <br /> suspensions in the Lexington Public Schools. <br /> 4. A brief discussion was held on raising the HP parking fines and possibly filing a <br /> warrant to do so. Joe Pato informed group that the timeline for filing for Town <br /> Meeting presentation had passed and that maybe we should seek more information <br /> from nearby towns' fines and pursue this at a later date. He spoke to the police chief <br /> who said that the current fine of$100 was only collected about 50% of the time since <br /> many times people had forgotten to make their placards visible. The group agreed to <br /> put this on hold. <br /> 5. Douglas House is planning a renovation of the small house on their property and it <br /> seems like they may have solved the concern the Commission had about making the <br /> second floor accessible. Peter Noonan will be attending the Commission's meeting in <br /> February 2018 to explain the plans in detail. <br /> 6. The citizen articles for Town Meeting were discussed and it was determined that <br /> there were none specifically pertinent to the Commission's charge. <br /> 7. Victoria updated the group on the joint project with the Human Rights Committee— <br /> the survey concerning disparate suspension rates for disabled and black students. The <br /> survey questions have been reviewed and revised with input from the school <br /> principals and administrative council. The MLK race conversation will discuss the <br /> issues. The goal is for the survey to be put out in February, the results will be <br /> redacted to preserve anonymity and a written report will make recommendations as to <br /> how to best deal with reducing and eradicating the disparities in the future. <br /> 8. Shaun asked if he could tape the Commission meetings so he could then become the <br /> minute-taker. Everyone who attends would need to be told that the meeting was <br /> being taped but there may be other regulations. Issues around who keeps the tapes, <br /> etc. will be researched by Kelly Axtell. <br /> 9. The Commission discussed how they would like to work with Jim Kelly, the new <br /> Building Commissioner, regarding: reviewing new plans, making needed adaptations <br /> early, seeking full inclusion for people with disabilities. <br /> Respectfully Submitted by Victoria Buckley <br />