HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-05-COD-minCommission on Disability
Meeting Minutes for January 5, 2012
5: 45pm to 7: 00 pm
Stone Room — Cary Hall
Members Present: Victoria Buckley, Susan Cusack, Janice Cyr, Julie Miller, Leonard Morse -
Fortier, Janet Perry, Francine Stieglitz and Jennifer Williams.
Members Not Present: Michael Martinetti
Staff. Garry Rhodes and Linda Vine
Additional Attendees:
Meeting Began at 5:50 PM
1. Approval of past minutes:
a. November 3, 2011 meeting minutes approved with minimal changes.
b. December 1, 2011 meeting adjourned early due to lack of quorum so no minutes were
taken.
2. Discussion of the Susan Barry's request for input from the CoD for Celebrations Events.
Input:
a. There is usually not enough handicapped parking for the events. Perhaps temporary
handicapped parking should be created to address this need.
b. Additionally, a "Checklist" for events could be created to address accessibility issues
for mobility, signing information, auditory, etc. for all events.
3. Discussion about Streetscapes public hearing that occurred on December 6 2011 included:
a. Key take -away from CoD members who attended the hearing was - there is a
pervasive sense that the center must have brick to maintain character.
b. The level of activity in the center would increase if buildings could be more than two
stories high.
c. A traffic study was not done and was recommended at the hearing.
d. Some of the sidewalks have been repaired recently. The cost of maintenance on
brick now exists (due to recent repairs) and could be requested of John Lindsey.
e. Concrete is currently being used more than asphalt and could be considered as an
alternative to brick.
f. Brick around tree wells have been an issue.
The Streetscapes Plans will go to the Selectmen next for approvals.
4. Status of complaint at medical building at 57 Bedford Street. Victoria has not received any
response to her letters.
a. Jen volunteered to get the names and room numbers of all the tenants for
individualized follow up.
Commission on Disability
Meeting Minutes for January 5, 2012
5: 45pm to 7: 00 pm
Stone Room — Cary Hall
5. Identify three community people knowledgeable about disability issues for the next phase of
Shriver grant — for research purposes, these people should not be told about details discussed
by first working group.
a. Jen knows one parent may be willing to do this.
b. Charlotte Rogers may know of someone (a volunteer in the Senior Center) who
would also be willing and available; Jen will reach out to her to discuss.
6. Discussion of Inn at Hastings Park. Neighbors called Victoria to say that the plans proposed
for the Inn show that they intend to store all the snow in the handicapped spot. Victoria wrote
a letter stating that the handicapped spot must not be used this way and made
recommendations for resolving this issue.
7. Additional new business and update on new projects:
a. The Lexington Courtyard (condo units) has some units with accessible features as an
option. A permit has been issued to allow one of the units to be adapted.
b. Per a contact that Garry knows, vibration levels (with brick) are not on the radar for
the AABA to incorporate as a standard in their reviews. The contact was aware of the
Pittsburgh study with the standards for vibrations.
c. Disability Awareness Day? Do we want to support this with actively at some point?
Look at increasing accessibility awareness as a component of diversity.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:00 pm
Next Meeting: February 2, 2012
Meeting Minutes Submitted by: Janice Cyr, Commission Member