HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-16-COD-minCommission on Disability
August 16, 2022 Meeting Minutes
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Janet Perry, Shaun Grady, John Rossi, Nancy Wong, Francine
Stieglitz, Leonard Morse-Fortier
Town Liaisons: Mark Sandeen, Select Board; Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner
Guests: Amber Carr, Conservation Coordinator; Kyle Zick and Tracy Hudak from Kyle Zick
Landscape Architecture; Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs; Meg
Buczynski, Activitas Consulting; Michael Martignetti
Committee Liaisons: Stephanie Hsu, Human Rights Committee; Pam Lyons, Center Committee;
Elaine Dratch, TAC; Rod Cole, CEC; Bonnie Teitleman, COA
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 passed a bill that Governor Baker signed, which
will allow the continuation of remote public meetings until July 15, 2022.
This meeting met remotely from 5:50 PM to 7:20 PM.
Willard Woods design presentation by Amber Carr, Conservation Coordinator; Kyle Zick and
Tracy Hudak from Kyle Zick Landscape Architecture
• The design for universally accessible (UA) trails was discussed in the following format:
overview, existing conditions, trail options, feedback on next steps.
• The focus for this presentation was on UA trails and parking accommodations. Other
goals are invasive species management and conservation concerns.
• The design should meet ADA and MAAB requirements. But they would like to expand
accessibility to different ecologies within the area.
• One trail is from North Street to the camping firepit. Other areas include: area that is
forested with stone walls, the wetlands meadows, the old mill pond, the old bike path.
• From the Brent Road area there is a fire access lane but no accessible parking there.
• One concept for UA trail (plan A) is about 0.4 miles that would skirt around the edge of
the meadow and the pond.
• Plan B is about 0.8 miles with added loops to other ecologies. This would involve a
section of boardwalk for the meadow and a loop to the forested area.
• Plan C is 1.1 miles and provides the most access.
• Accessible parking was requested at both entrances. The question of whether the UA
trail and the old bike path could be one path was raised in terms of safety. An
observation platform was requested.
• Input from the Commission will be part of the design proposal.
Update by Melissa Battite from Recreation and Meg Buczynski/ Austin Hochstetler from
Activitas Consulting on the Open Space and Recreation 7-year Plan (OSRP)
• The presenters asked members to fill out the ETC survey concerning the OSRP.
• They asked for discussion using self-evaluation questions.
• 1. What does disability mean? Members suggested using the broadest definition and
addressing both visible and invisible issues. 2. How do we reduce barriers (finding the right
compromise)? Members discussed universal access, visitability and universal design as
being important future considerations. 3. How has the Town done in last 7 years? Members
shared that the Town has moved forward with physical access but has a long way to go to
make full and equal access to all programs and services a first thought and not an
afterthought. Recreation has been doing a good job with playground accessibility and by
hiring a therapeutic recreation specialist.
New Business
• Janet asked about the slope issue at Hastings. She and Jim Kelly will follow up on this.
Jim thinks the slope is 4.1%.
• Members asked if the report was in yet from the February shooting. The AG has not
issued a report yet.
• Members would like to be part of the hiring process for the new DEI officer.
Meeting adjourned 7:20 pm
Minutes submitted by Victoria Buckley