HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-28-COD-min 1
Commission on Disability
December 28, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Sue Cusack, Julie Miller, Francine Stieglitz, Shaun
Grady, Leonard Morse-Fortier, John Rossi
Town Liaisons: Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner; Joe Pato, Select Board
Guests: Susan Barrett, Transportation Manager; LexSeeHer team: Jessie Steigerwald, Betty
Gau, Valerie Overton, Meredith and Michael Bergmann, Michelle Tran, Leslie Masson;
Commission on Disability Member, pending Nancy Wong
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, December 28, 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.
Minutes:
The group unanimously accepted the minutes for the November meeting.
Transportation Presentation:
Susan Barrett, Transportation Manager – presented the survey regarding the regionalization
action plan. Here is a link to the services: https://www.lexingtonma.gov/transportation-
services The presentation also discussed the following local transportation services:
• Travel training services, small group and one-on-one. The one-on-one service will
provide a staff member to ride with an individual to help scaffold the learning
experience.
• Flexible Route Services:
o MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – the T)
o Lexpress
o Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA)
2
• Demand Response Services
o The RIDE supports 58 cities and towns, a service augmented by supported
with Uber/Lyft that have WAVE Vehicles (w/c accessible vehicles);
o LexConnect, a subsidized taxi vouchers for up to 12 month, heavily
discounted, no w/c vehicles,
o FISH – volunteer program, medical program Boston Metro area, not w/c
accessible, often no waiting and no other people on the trip [if you were part
of the pilot, you may need to re-enroll]
o The Grid – fixed times, commuter shuttle. Wheelchair access needs to be
planned for as all vehicles are not fully accessible
o MAPC Taxi Grant has helped to add some accessible taxi availability up to
$5K to support rides.
• Other Opportunities
o Riders Transportation Advocacy Group with the MBTA,
https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/get-involved/rtag?utm_campaign=rtag-
launch&utm_source=swa
o Mobility Management Project – funding from MA Dept of Transportation,
work toward regionalizing transportation. Prior grant on Lex, Bedford,
Burlington – this effort was unsuccessful, but this next attempt will coordinate
services and other transportation resources and needs from Lexington,
Bedford, Burlington, Woburn, Winchester, Arlington, Belmont, and Waltham.
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b30ad87fac9940978859e738c88dffb5
Presentation from Lex See Her
Jessie Steigerwald offered a presentation that started with a recap of their last visit to the
Commission in November, and then shared what the team learned from the rehearsal of the
project just before Thanksgiving. They proposed a few new design changes based on
concerns related to the busyness of the Sculpture platform. They now have resting places that
follow the perimeter, made of solid granite, curved to follow the arc of the circular footprint.
They have increased the size of the footprint and made the pavers bigger. They also
discussed engraving may be made available in different languages.
Meredith, the artist, discussed her process for new design where she felt the need for more
space to walk back and forth. Footprint has to match the scale of the object to ensure a
welcoming feeling. She also discussed inscribing the plaza and adding Braille. She wanted it
to be readable by tracing the letters.
Len endorsed extending the diameter to 28’ from 24’, and further supported the new bench
design. Victoria endorsed the larger pavers; John Rossi also supported the larger space to
ensure the accommodation of the density of larger numbers of people.
Commission voted to support the suggested design changes which included the use of larger
grant blocks, benches that follow the curve of the plaza, and an expansion of the diameter
from 24 to 28 feet in diameter. A voice vote was held which was unanimous in support of
3
this effort. We offered that we were pleased that they have incorporated our feedback and
were so thoughtful in addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Update about Pandemic Effects Work Group
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Kate Deangelis has joined the work group. The group is
crafting a survey to gain a better sense of people’s experiences during the pandemic with the
intent of providing information which could influence supports and services. A draft should
be available by spring.
Update on Munroe Center
They are not applying for the CPA funds. They need to follow the town process for a
feasibility study. There is a meeting with the town in January to talk through next steps so
that their in-house team can go to Town Meeting next fall. In the meantime, IHCD
suggestions have been addressed including hinges, ramp, removal of trim to make the
hallways wider, etc. Rod commented that it would be good for the Monroe team to quickly
make their request of the town so it can be anticipated in the overall budget. They have been
in touch with Mike Cronin to start mapping this out.
Additional new business and updates on new projects
Bath House at the Old Res
Plan has changed from a few years ago. There will now be pre-fab with 3 baths and an office;
it will be closer to the parking lot. The site work remains essentially the same, and the
accessible parking is available from Bridge School. Jim will forward presentation.
Meeting adjourned at 7:12 PM.
Minutes submitted by Sue Cusack and Victoria Buckley