HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-19-COD-min RECEIVED
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Commission on Disability TOWN CLERK
October 19, 2021 Meeting Minutes LEXINGTON MA
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Sue Cusack, Julie Miller, Janet Perry,
Francine Stieglitz, Shaun Grady, Leonard Morse-Fortier
Town Liaisons: Martha Duffield, Chief Equity Officer; Jim Kelly, Building
Commissioner; Joe Pato, Select Board
Guests: Dawn McKenna, Tourism Committee; Cristina Burwell, Munroe Center;
Brian Healy, architect Monroe Center; Pamela Lyons, Transportation Advisory
Committee, Melissa Batite and Kate DeAngelis, Recreation & Community
Programs
Committee Liaisons: Bonnie Teitleman-Levin, COA; Rod Cole, Capital
Expenditures Committee
Note: A meeting of the Commission on Disability was held on Tuesday, October 19, 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)Please be advised that the
House and Senate enacted Senate Bill 2475 last night and Governor Baker signed the bill,
which will allow the continuation of remote public meetings until April 20, 2022.
The reading was followed by an oral roll call.
Agenda:
Battle Green Master Plan
Dawn McKenna, chair of the Lexington Tourism Committee,presented proposal for benches
on the Battle Green. The Commission voted unanimously to support 6-foot or 8-foot benches
(length depending on price), with backs on Massachusetts Avenue and backless on Bedford
Street. Victoria will send a support letter to the Select Board with a copy to the Tourism
Committee.
Munroe Center for the Arts
Cristina Burwell (Munroe Director) and Brian Healy (architect)presented that the IHCD had
given the Center a list of recommendations to improve accessibility. The Building
Committee of Munroe met with Victoria and the architect to discuss larger plans presented
here. The plans include a multi-phase project. The first phase is to build a"core' addition in
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the rear and move the front entrance to the rear for everyone. The core would contain an
elevator and accessible bathrooms. The next phase will be to build a performance center and
some classrooms attached to the core extending further back on the property. Then all
services would be moved into the new addition while the brick building is made more
accessible throughout the interior. Cristina wants to try to get grants and CPA funds for phase
one. Members of the Commission talked about the need for these changes and the need to
move quickly so that this can be on the agenda for Town Meeting in the spring of 2022.
Presentation about Depot Square Bus Shelter
Pamela Lyons from the Transportation Advisory Committee brought forth plans for a
sheltered ADA-compliant bench at the bus stop in Depot Square. The Commission wanted to
ensure that there was sheltered space for a wheelchair to be next to the bench; this is in the
plans. The Commission voted unanimously to support the plans and Victoria will write a
support letter.
Annual Update from Recreation & Community Programs
Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation & Community Programs, and Kate DeAngelis,
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist,presented the annual update. Kate is now full-time as a
CTRS (certified therapeutic recreation specialist). She discussed how inclusion is not a
program —it is an environment. She has collaborated with LABBB, Human Services, the
Garden Club, and Riverside Community Care. 3.7% of Lexington residents under 65 identify
as having a disability, and Kate's programs' percentage of 4%jives well with that. There
were 115 inclusion requests, with 25 programs served and 35 participants served.
Melissa said the capital improvement plans will go ahead. The bath house project at the Res
will go to Town Meeting in the fall with the plans including concrete pre-fab, full ADA-
compliant features and parking. The Pine Meadows project was delayed and a feasibility
study is planned for FY '24-'25.
Questions were raise about playgrounds, especially the one on Justin Street. This will be part
of a 5-year capital plan.
Announcements
No Hate November will feature an interview with Victoria.
The work group to study the effects of the pandemic on individuals with disabilities will
involve Victoria, Francine, Janet and Shaun.
Meeting adjourned at 7:07 PM.
Minutes submitted by Victoria Buckley
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