HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-17-COD-minCommission on Disability
January 17, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Sue Cusack, Shaun Grady, Julie Miller, Leonard Morse-
Fortier, Janet Perry, John Rossi, Francine Stieglitz, Nancy Wong
Town Liaisons: Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner; Hemali Shah, Chief Equity Officer; Mark
Sandeen, Select Board
Committee Liaisons: Stephanie Hsu, Human Rights Committee; Pam Lyons, Center Committee;
Bonnie Teitleman, Council on Aging
Guests: Caileen Foley, Executive Director, Lexington Housing Authority; John Livsey, Town
Engineer; Dave Armstrong, Bike Advisory Committee
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.
On July 16, 2022, Governor Baker signed into Law an Act Relative to Extending Certain State of
Emergency Accommodations, which, among other things, extends the expiration of the
provisions pertaining to the Open Meeting Law to March 31, 2023. Specifically, this extension
allows public bodies to continue holding meetings remotely without a quorum of the public
body physically present at a meeting location, and to provide "adequate, alternative" access to
remote meetings. The Act does not make any new changes to the Open Meeting Law other
than extending the expiration date of the temporary provisions regarding remote meeting s.
Announcements
The February meeting will be changed to Tuesday, February 14th.
Farmers’ Market Accessibility Concerns
There is a meeting on January 30 with Lesley Wilcott-Henry (Board President) and Alex Fleck
(Market Manager), who both run the Farmers’ Market. Once the meeting time is confirmed,
Hemali welcomes the participation of Francine Steiglitz to discuss the accessibility problems of
the current location.
Lexington Housing Authority Presentation
• Caileen Foley, Director of Lexington Housing Authority, discussed Vynebrook Village
accessibility improvements and the overall status of the building project. Her
presentation was an updated version of one shared with the Commission two years ago
by the architecture firm hired to address accessibility at this site. The project addresses
the fundamental concern that none of the units are up to code. Updates will focus on
Group 2 accessibility requirements for 3 units (1A, 2A, 2B). Group 2 is defined as an
approved ADA unit under state building code, when it is constructed. To meet these
criteria, they will be making the bathroom showers accessible, lowering the counters in
the kitchens, and ensuring front entrances are fully accessible. There are rear exits, but
they are not designed to offer the same level of accessibility as the front entrances. The
introduction of sprinkler systems at this complex eases the code requirement for second
egresses.
• There are concerns related to site improvement accessibility and stormwater
management since the land is very close to conservation. Improvements will include
creating a rain garden, removing invasive species in the back, designing a sloping
walkway to the paved area at 4.5% slope. There are no pathways in the back of the
buildings.
• Priority will be given to those on the waiting list for low-income housing for people who
require accessibility, and current residents who need to transition to accessible spaces.
There are 4 Units in Greely Village that are also fully accessible.
• When asked how many individuals are on the accessible needs list, we were told that
the state had centralized the process. The people go to a centralized list and then
choose the town they want. Internally, the Lexington list might be 10 people. There is a
5-8 year wait for an accessible unit; about 10 people a year get into the regular units.
The community can reach out to Ms. Foley at cfoley@lexingtonhousing.org
• The project is being paid for with funds from state ARPA, CPC, and home funds grant
money. Vareika Construction won the bid and construction begins early March. It should
take 10 months, hopefully under 1 year.
Roundabout and Bus Stop Re-Location
John Livsey, Town Engineer, offered an update about the bus stop and continued discussion
about the intersection of bicycle safety and pedestrians with disabilities in regard to
roundabout.
Bus Stop Discussion: The Center Streetscape project ended in November. The bus stop in front
of the businesses at 1666 Massachusetts Avenue was moved to 1684 Massachusetts Avenue.
The new location presents some challenges. It is tight for the bus to pull in and clear the tree
and bench obstructions at the front and rear doors of the bus. Removal of one parking space
would make access to the stop easier, but there is also the complication of the trees and the
bench.
• Pam Lyons met with the Tree and Center Committees about the implications of the new
bus stop. She shared that any project or construction must comply with the MBTA
guidelines of 4-foot wide unobstructed area for bus stops. Pam related that the idea
arrived at by the other committees was: accounting for distance between the trees as
being roughly 53 feet, there might be enough space to accommodate the bus with only
the removal of one parking space and get us out of the obstructed space.
• John will add this suggestion to his list of considerations since he does not feel the new
stop has obstructions. He said DPW would consider both the former and the new bus
stops to make a determination.
Roundabout at Hancock and Bedford Street
The concern was how to ensure bicycle safety and pedestrian safety. John Livsey shared a
blueprint where the blue highlights identify the access points for bikes to use the sidewalks in
two limited areas.
• The new access points included 2 access/2 egress points for bikes.
• The materials surrounding the roundabout center would be a textured surface that is
designed to be a mountable apron for trucks, a car would be less welcome, and a bike
would find it impassable.
• The width of the sidewalk is generally 6’ or more in this area.
• The project is scheduled to go to bid next month, with an award in the following month,
and work to begin during construction season.
• Concern for potential supply chain issues may delay the project. There has been a
shortage of this custom granite curbing.
Sidewalk Roughness Assessment
John also mentioned that the last time we met, we asked about the roughness reading on the
new sidewalk downtown. They did contract with a company to do this assessment. He will
share the report with Victoria when it is available.
Bike Advisory Committee
Dave Armstrong from the Bike Advisory Committee shared a few samples of signage that they
plan to post on the bike trails. He shared:
• The signage will be hung in pairs, 2 signs to a pole, with the ability to move around from
place to place.
• The signage is designed to help with good manners and safety.
• The sign they shared said, “Watch for Mobility Devices”. We suggested “Yield”.
• These signs are being created with the Traffic Safety Group. If they pan out, they may
look for a sign-making machine.
Meeting adjourned at 7:05
Minutes submitted by Sue Cusack and Victoria Buckley