HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-01-COD-min 1
Commission on Disability
March 1, 2022 Meeting Minutes
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Sue Cusack, Shaun Grady, Julie Miller, Leonard
Morse-Fortier, Janet Perry, Francine Stieglitz, Nancy Wong, John Rossi
Town Liaisons: Martha Duffield, Chief Equity Officer; Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner;
Joe Pato, Select Board
Guests: Valerie Overton, Mona Roy
Committee Liaisons: Stephanie Hsu, Human Rights Committee
Note: A meeting of the Commission on Disability was held on Tuesday, March 1, 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.
Willards Woods liaison:
A brief discussion was held about having someone from the Commission volunteer to
be a liaison to join a group concerning Willards Woods during the design phase of the
universally accessible trail and parking. Len volunteered.
Forming a Collaborative Reform Workgroup:
An open discussion was held about forming a Collaborative Reform Workgroup to
focus on interactions between the police and residents with disabilities – to look at what other
towns are doing with police reform, to formulate a comprehensive plan that looks at training
models, makes recommendations for reform and provides opportunities for community
conversations – discussion to include who we will invite, how we make sure funding is
available, support for those traumatized, etc. Questions were raised about what training is
available for police – like MHFA (mental health first aid) and CIT training.
It was decided that the goal should be collaboration, without simply focusing on the
police, but rather broadening the approach to review all policy and response systems dealing
with residents with disabilities. A holistic approach is needed with transparency.
There was work done previously by the MH task force. It is important to have post
incident protocols. The idea is to reimagine public safety. Victoria and Martha will meet with
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Chief McLean. After we vote on March 15 to form this meeting under the Commission,
Victoria will set up first meeting later in March.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm. Minutes submitted by: Victoria Buckley