HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-17-COD-min 1
Commission on Disability
October 17, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Sue Cusack, Shaun Grady, Janet Perry, Francine Stieglitz
Town Liaisons: Hemali Shah, Chief Equity Officer; Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner; Mark Sandeen,
Select Board
Committee Liaisons: Laureen Fiola (Council on Aging); Pam Lyons (Center Committee)
Guests: Megan Morrison and Chris Brown (1729 Mass Avenue business); Ross Morrow, Assistant Town
Engineer
A meeting of the Commission on Disability was held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 5:45 PM – 7:15 PM
via zoom (expected adjournment is 7:15 PM).
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.
On March 29, 2023, Governor Healey signed a bill that continues remote and hybrid meeting provisions
that were enacted during the pandemic. The new law extends pandemic-related authorizations that
were set to expire on March 31 as follows:
• Allowing remote and hybrid meeting options for public bodies through March 31, 2025
Announcements
• Collaborative Reform panel discussion is set for November 1. Panel will include Dr. David Rose
on neurodiversity, a child psychiatrist, a representative from NAMI and Kate DeAngelis.
Commission members are encouraged to come.
• Hemali said that she is working on an internal equity audit.
Review of Minutes
• Minutes for September will be reviewed at the next meeting in November.
Review of Plans for New Coffee Place at 1729
Megan Morrison and architect Chris Brown discussed their plans for the renovations at 1729
Massachusetts Avenue (formerly Starbucks). These plans went before HDC before being flagged by our
Commission since there is an outdoor counter space that is not accessible. The Commission voiced their
concern about full accessibility. All the interior spaces have been designed to be accessible. The
architect will remove the outdoor public space that has stairs from the design. The Commission
appreciated the design changes. We need to follow through on full inclusion when new projects are
being proposed.
2
Presentation by DPW Regarding Alternative Plans for Bus Stop
Victoria questioned why this has not been resolved after both the Commission and the Center
Committee had already voted on this issue. The two sites were clarified once again as being: 1. In front
of 1666 where it used to be; 2. Leave it in front of Conte’s. It was explained that the Center Committee
had voted to move only 2 spaces not 3. A compromise plan has been developed which Ross Morrow
presented. This new alternative involves a bump-out in front of Conte’s of 5-7 feet so the bus would
stop in its lane of traffic for passengers. The Commission appreciated the creativity of this design.
Concerns about this proposal were discussed: its impact on traffic and Grant Street turn, the fact that
1666 has coverage in inclement weather, the cost of constructing the bump-out. The Commission
decided to vote on whether members wanted 1666 instead of the new alternative. The vote was 4-1 for
returning the bus stop to 1666 (note that 4 members were absent but quorum of 5 were present).
New Business
• Mark said that the library renovation plans have been approved by the Select Board.
• The idea of having a check-off on the building permit applications that says the Commission has
been consulted was suggested to Jim Kelly.
• Sue Cusack mentioned that the Conservation pathways at Lincoln Field were broken, especially
at the beginnings and ends of the paths.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:15 pm
Minutes submitted by Victoria Buckley