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Center Streetscape Concerns <br /> May 28, 2019 — Meeting <br /> Town Manager—James Malloy <br /> DPW, Director— David Pinsonneault <br /> Select Board, Chair— Doug Lucente <br /> Commission on Disability—Victoria Buckley, Chair; Shaun Grady;Julie Miller <br /> • Commission on Disability has continued concerns about brick sidewalks: <br /> - People with disabilities have problems traveling over uneven surfaces, as do <br /> elderly citizens and young mothers with strollers. There is an important <br /> "fatigue factor' associated with traveling over bricks for those with mobility <br /> issues. <br /> - Segmented discrete pavers have lots of seams and irregularities which cause <br /> tripping hazards for all. <br /> - Vibration issues cause spasticity, pain, loss of balance and disturbances of <br /> correct positional seating. <br /> - Pathways that are not smooth are almost impassable for those with <br /> neurological disorders and/or visual issues. <br /> - The variegation in brick creates depth perception issues and "neurological <br /> noise" issues. <br /> • Commission on Disability originally proposed the use of concrete with bricks on the <br /> sides for decorative edge treatment because it is a safer and smoother approach to <br /> sidewalks. <br /> - This type of sidewalk also helps people with visual, sensory and neurological <br /> problems since it offers way-finding features. Many neighboring towns have <br /> already adopted this choice. <br /> - This is in accordance with resolution passed in Town Meeting in 2015 as <br /> Article 42: "To provide a welcoming and comfortable experience for <br /> individuals of all abilities, the Town will endeavor at all times to use smooth, <br /> safe and aesthetically appropriate materials when constructing sidewalks and <br /> other passageways on town-owned walkways. Bricks and other small discrete <br /> pavers may be used as decorative edge treatments, but shall always be <br /> installed to create the smoothest surface possible, ensuring safety for <br /> citizens who have trouble traversing uneven surfaces." <br /> • Commission on Disability has concerns about the proposed wire-cut brick sidewalks: <br /> - We have never seen "one done right" in our climate. <br /> - We question smoothness claims. It defies logic that segmented pavers are <br /> smoother than surfaces with fewer seams. <br /> 1 <br />