HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-18-COD-min RECEIVED
2021 30 IIS ov, 332 pui °m
TOWN CLERK
Commission on Disability LEXINGTON MA
Minutes from May 18, 2021
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Sue Cusack, Shaun Grady, Michael
Martignetti, Julie Miller, Len Morse-Fortier, Janet Perry, Francine Stieglitz
Town Liaisons: Kelly Axtell, Assistant Town Manager; Jim Kelly, Building
Commissioner; Joe Pato, Select Board
Commission Liaisons: Bonnie Teitleman-Levin, COA; Rod Cole, Capital
Expenditures Committee; Stephanie Hsu, HRC
Guests: John Livsey, Town Engineer DPW; Doug Lucente, Select Board
A meeting of the Commission on Disability was held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 5:45
PM—7:00 PM via zoom.
Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12,2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law,
G.L.c. 30A, §18,and the Governor's March 15,2020 and subsequent Orders imposing strict limitation on the
number of people that may gather in one place,this meeting of the Lexington Commission on Disability will be
conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general
guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to
attend this meeting can be found below.No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted,
but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time,via
technological means. (*As per Executive Order regarding remote participation:
https://www.mass.gov/doc/open-meetinglaw-order-march-12-2020/download)
This Commission on Disability meeting was held remotely via Zoom, an online meeting platform. Public
Participation via calling in or using your computer is encouraged.
The reading was followed by an oral roll call.
Agenda:
Review of minutes for March 16
Approved with minor changes.
Policing Discussion with Select Board Members Doug Lucente and Joe Pato
In anticipation of a new Police Station, they are meeting with 30 groups to retrieve feedback.
The larger groups were not as generative as they had hoped. These meeting were public,
meaning that anyone might be watching which they felt dampened the feedback they were
receiving. They have found that the smaller meetings appear to allow for more open
feedback,providing them with a better sense of the pulse of the community. Community
policing is important, the existing station is long past due to be replaced. We were asked if
we could be used as ambassadors to recruit people to speak to the Select Board. The
overarching questions:
• Is there a change that might help with this transition to a new police station?
• If you were part of any outreach, how was your experience?
• Are there any current concerns that could impact how to build a new police station for
our community?
In our discussion, Michael emphasized that the current building is a significant accessibility
challenge; we assume a new building will address these issues, as well as other areas of the
station (e.g. finger printing and other interior spaces).
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Victoria highlighted the need to anticipate mental health issues and the use of crisis
intervention, noting that 5 out of 10 situations needed de-escalation but the police often
arrived first before social workers. She shared that when death occurs in a police shooting,
50% have a disability, and 25% have mental illness. CoD would be happy to be involved in
any training to build awareness.
It is being anticipated that the new station will have a space for a private domestic
consultation or an area where things can be discussed more privately. Shaun reinforced the
need for calming spaces as they relate to neurological disorders.
Sue offered support for creating a welcoming space, creating a community room or meeting
space for the community.
Francine asked if our Police know how to work with someone with a hearing disability? This
was an open question. She also shared that 988 will launch in a year. 988 will be a number
that anyone can dial for mental health issues and support. It is hoped that this new number
will help minimize the number of calls that police have to respond to.
Julie recalled the good work of the force and when a dispatcher talked someone through
having a baby.
The Select Board will be writing a report end of June— community outreach for further
discussion can happen until then.
Update concerning meetings covered
Francine Stieglitz (Reimagining Public Safety)— she felt that our conversation largely
covered the conversations and that most organizations were satisfied by Dr. Fernandez's
report that reinforced what we had to say.
Len Morse-Fortier (Community Safety Conversation)—he felt that more information will be
coming soon.
Update on DEI Officer hiring
The interview process has started. Janet and Victoria offered questions that were used in the
panel interviews. There was also a meet and greet time with Citizens' Advisory Council
which Victoria is on. The position starts July I". Janet did flag for the town that it is
problematic for them to ask candidates to have a driver's license as a condition of the
position.
Additional new business and updates on new projects
• There will be a new paint store on Bedford Street near Alexander's; Jim will check
for accessibility to see if ADA is triggered by the cost of the project.
• A new occupancy permit was given at 8 Camilia Place for a new bike shop. Fire and
building inspections are at the beginning of the permitting process; they might need to
make improvements for accessibility, such as the door and parking spaces.
• There is a project on Watertown Street, by Nation Development; they are in the stage
of wood framing, with possibility of finishing in late fall or winter. The other is a
bigger project, with a concrete base; framing is not planned until the fall. The
Waterstone project involves big buildings, on the Arlington line; Jim says they are
nice facilities. Before they finish, Jim will invite them to visit the Commission.
Meeting adjourned at 7:08 PM.
Minutes submitted by Sue Cusack
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