HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-03-COD-minCommission on Disability
Minutes — November 3, 2016
Members Present: Victoria Buckley, Chair; Shaun Grady; Janet Perry; Francine
Stieglitz; Susan Cusack
Town Liaisons: Linda Vine, Deputy Town Manager; Joe Pato, Selectman; Fred
Lonardo, Building Commissioner; Wendy Manz, Capital Expenditures; Harry
Mackay, COA Liaison
Guest Speaker: Karen Simmons, Director of Recreation and Community
Programs
Update on playgrounds:
Karen Simmons updated Commission on progress of ADA study to look at
accessibility at all Town playgrounds. This includes all major parks and all pocket
parks. She will be seeking CPA funding to finalize and do transition plans. The
study includes bleachers and basketball courts. Parking is an issue at some
playgrounds. There are certified playground inspectors who will alert when repairs
and hazards are found. The Recreation department also takes feedback from users,
conducts surveys, and writes strategic plans. They will set up a 5 -year capital plan
for renovations. The playgrounds are also reviewed monthly by DPW. The plan is
to make all playgrounds accessible. The Commission was pleased to hear this.
Update on Ad Hoc Center Streetscape Committee:
Victoria discussed work plan for Tiers 2 (benches, trees, furnishings) and 3
(signage, historical markers). There will be a Commission Subcommittee meeting
on Monday, 11/7/16, on concrete — Ad Hoc Committee has been invited to attend.
Discussion concerned concrete with brick borders still being our choice, but this is
minority position. Cost of brick may be an issue. Wendy Manz told about
decision in Norwell that CPA funds could not be used for a public sidewalk since
the sidewalk there was along a road. Lexington's case may be different due to
historical significance.
Review of DPW answer to Ad Hoc Report:
Does this mean that some specification that we are asking for to ensure smoothness
will not be followed? More discussion is needed with DPW.
Update and follow -up on Bridge School flag area:
This is an inaccessible gathering area that they are calling an "outdoor classroom ".
We need an update from Pat Goddard since this project was done with PTA
fundraising. The plan is to make an accessible path with or without removing the
steps. Schools have their own systems of accountability. How do we prevent this
in future? We should speak to Pat Goddard, maybe School Committee with PAC,
and superintendent.
Disability Awareness Film:
We are all set for 11/16 at the Venue. Members agreed to take flyers and post
them around town and invite others.
Preparing for December meeting about ADA transition plan with Shawn Newell:
This will be review of Transition Master List which we last reviewed last October
(2015). At that time it still had 82 items for Shawn's group and 106 items needing
to be completed out of the original 374 items on it in 2012. All items needing
renovations are already in the capital plan.
Additional new business:
Fred Lonardo said that there may be a business on Hartwell that should be bringing
plans to us soon. We need an update from the Waldorf School from February
2016. Victoria will contact them.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Victoria Buckley