HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-20-COD-min 1
Commission on Disability
February 20, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Janet Perry, Leonard Morse‐Fortier, Francine Stieglitz, Nancy Wong,
Shaun Grady
Town Liaisons: Hemali Shah, Chief Equity Officer; Mark Sandeen, Select Board
Committee Liaisons: Pam Lyons, Center Committee; Laureen Fiola, Council on Aging
Guests: John Livsey, Town Engineer; Kate DeAngelis, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist; Melissa Battite,
Director of Recreation and Community Programs; Linda Prosnitz, Affordable Housing Trust
A meeting of the Commission on Disability was held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 5:45 PM – 7:16
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.
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
John Livsey has a short agenda item to add in the beginning of this meeting.
Review of Minutes
Minutes for December and January will be reviewed next month.
Presentation by John Livsey About the Battle Green Roundabout
The Select Board received a request to move or eliminate the crosswalk that crosses Hancock
Street near the roundabout. The crosswalk was installed on the Hancock Street leg of the new
roundabout that crossed from #9 Hancock Street through a splitter island and over to the
sidewalk in front of the Masons Building.
The request came from a resident who said that the way the sidewalk slopes on either side of
the crosswalk has an elevation change and ices over
Moving the crosswalk is not a possibility as the splitter island cannot be relocated so any moving
would be minimal and not solve the concern that are looking to address.
Eliminating the crosswalk would result in pedestrians that are walking along the Bedford Street
North side sidewalk having to utilize the bikeway crossing as the closest crossing to continue
along Bedford Street. This adds approximately 250 feet in total length which at a walking speed
of 3.5 feet per second results in approximately 71 seconds of added time. Additionally, the
crossing at the bikeway is a two‐lane crossing, whereas the existing crossing is two single lane
crossings with a refuse splitter island.
2
John Livsey said the crosswalk meets all ADA requirements including the slopes where it meets
the sidewalks on both sides.
Various members of the Commission on Disability voiced that we need to follow ADA and not
one person’s request. One member suggested reaching out to the resident who requested a
change. A straw vote was taken so Mark Sandeen could report back to the Select Board – 5 to
leave it as it is in ADA compliance, and one abstention.
Presentation by Kate DeAngelis, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Melissa Battite, Director of
Recreation and Community Programs
This is the third year of reporting to the Commission about progress and plans.
Kate said she is focused on adaptive recreation, inclusive programs, inclusion services. The goal
is “creating community through people and parks”. The department received grants from CA,
USTA, ARC, ARPA. They partnered with ARC, Cary Library, Eagle Scouts, Cotting School, LABBBB,
LHS Girls Soccer, Human Services, SADDD Club. 5.7% of the summer registrations were
requesting inclusion support (even though the Town’s reported rate of disabilities is only 3.7%).
The sensory room cost $1400, accessible outdoor equipment $32,000, inclusion staff $46,000.
Melissa updated the Commission on ADA capital improvements: Kineens Park playground, hard
court resurfacing, Lincoln Park connectivity. The Center recreation ADA bathroom will open
soon.
There are several articles in Town Meeting for consideration: Bowman P)ark trails, Lincoln Park
Fitness Stations, Valley Road hard court, Pine Meadows practice bays and clubhouse. The
Reservoir bathhouse needs to re‐bid as a modular building since price was too high.
Presentation by Mark Sandeen and Linda Prosnitz – Affordable Housing Trust
There is a town‐owned parcel of land near Lowell and North Streets that is being proposed to be
used to build affordable housing.
The definition of being cost‐burdened is when one’s housing is greater than or equal to 30% of
one’s income.
The minimum number of accessible units required is 5%. The Commission would like to see that
percentage be higher.
The Commission endorses using the building standards of universal design.
Len said there are ways to build clusters of units that feel more like a village than one massive
building. He will provide the group with photos.
New Business
Shaun went to a meeting about “Emergencies for People with Disabilities”. He would like to put
this on next month’s agenda.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:15 pm
Minutes submitted by Victoria Buckley