HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-18-COA-min RECEIVED
2022 2 2 F'°e I „ 6:117 Ila a n
Commission on Disability 'TOWN CLERK
January 18, 2022 Meeting Minutes t EX�N G 1'10 IN IS A
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Sue Cusack, Shaun Grady, Julie Miller, Leonard
Morse-Fortier, Janet Perry, John Rossi, Francine Stieglitz, Nancy Wong
Town Liaisons: Martha Duffield, Chief Equity Officer; Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner;
Joe Pato, Select Board
Guests: Pamela Lyons, Center Committee
Committee Liaisons: Stephanie Hsu, Human Rights Committee; Bonnie Teitleman-Levin,
Council on Aging; Rod Cole, Capital Expenditures Committee
Note: A meeting of the Commission on Disability was held on Tuesday, January 18, 2022,
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.
Minutes:
Approval of December minutes is deferred to February.
Traffic Calming Design Question
John Rossi asked if the commission had any experience with traffic mitigation
strategies. While no members had an expertise in this area, many commented on their
experiences with different configurations that they had experienced locally and in other
communities.
Discussion about committee liaisons
• Center Committee Liaison to CoD: Update on Bus Shelter in Depot Square
Pam Lyons shared that she would like to be the Center Committee liaison to the Commission.
She also shared that the HDC has tentatively approved a bus shelter at Depot Square. She
plans to go back to the HDC in early February. There is a proposal to advance a glass design
which Pam will try to share with us prior to meeting with the HDC in early February. Jim
Kelly shared a useful resource describing best practices for bus shelters, including UDL
considerations.
https://www.uvlsri)c.or�,,/files/4215/4775/9655/SCT ADA. Buses Guidelines.1d£
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Update about Pandemic Effects Work Group— Stephanie Hsu
Stephanie Hsu, HRC liaison, shared that the composition of the working group
included Martha Duffield, and CoD members Victoria, Francine, Janet, Shaun and HRC
members Mona. She reported that Kate DeAngelis, from the Recreation Committee, has
provided support and guidance on the development of the survey. Stephanie also consulted
with the people from the town's Human Services Department. Currently, outreach plans will
include focus groups and office hours for private session. The LexDEI inbox has been
arranged to accommodate anonymous comments from community members.
[https://www.l exingtonma.gov/human-ri ghts-committee/news/l exdei-inbox-send-us-your-
thoughts-perspectives-and-concerns-anything]
Finally, Stephanie finished her discussion by sharing the timeline which will begin
with focus groups in late February and early April, and a final report submitted in June. This
report will include stories as well as a collection of links to town resources to support
community members.
Bonnie also shared the challenges that she has observed during the pandemic related
to increasing difficulties mental health,physical isolation, missing life events, the challenges
in behavioral health issues are pervasive.
Announcements and New Business
• The Commission welcomes Nancy Wong and John Rossi to complete the
Commission membership which has been approved for 9 members instead of 8.
• Elaine Dratch will be our new liaison from the Transportation Advisory Committee.
Update on Willards Woods
Victoria explained that there is growing push back about parking in the proposed
enhancement at Willard Woods. We had proposed parking at an entrance on a residential
street. Amber Carr, from Conservation, will keep us in the loop about the timing of next
steps.
Update on Munroe Center
The Munroe team has gone ahead and tried to get their own grant to cover the
architect's feasibility study. If successful, this would accelerate the timeline by about a year.
Len will reach out to Christina Burwell to help support their process. Jim Kelly also shared
that they met with the town to review their vision for future planning. This meeting included
the Planning and Recreation departments. As a public/private partnership, they have a good
vision, but the town needs to begin the process of anticipating the cost of addressing the
accessibility issues and renovations.
Additional new business and updates on new projects
• A new business, a bike shop, will be coming into the old Panera site in Lexington
Center. Jim Kelly is meeting with them to ensure compliance with necessary code and
accessibility concerns. He is suggesting that they also make an improvement to the
signage for handicapped parking in the lot.
• The Town has asked for mitigation behind 99 Hayden in the form of parking access
to the trails in that space. Jim Kelly will be asking for handicapped parking.
• Relative to increasing the visibility of the Commission, Bonnie suggested reaching
out to Sean Dugan, the communication director for the Town, and the Colonial
Times. Stephanie suggested"highlighting a committee a week" through the citizen's
education program.
Meeting adjourned at 6:46pm. Minutes submitted by: Susan Cusack
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