HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-19-COD-min
Commission on Disability
March 19, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Sue Cusack, Leonard Morse-Fortier, Francine Stieglitz, Nancy Wong,
Shaun Grady
Town Liaisons: Hemali Shah, Chief Equity Officer; Mark Sandeen, Select Board; Jim Kelly, Building
Commissioner
Committee Liaisons: Pam Lyons, Center Committee; Stephanie Hsu, Human Rights Committee
Guests: Ross Morrow, Engineer; Dawn McKenna
A meeting of the Commission on Disability was held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 5:45 PM – 7:27PM
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
Town Meeting articles have been addressed and the opinions and votes of the Commission will
be shared there.
Jim Kelly said that the buildings under new construction will not be able to use fossil fuel.
There is a new Building Inspector, David Anderson.
The town manager, Jim Malloy, is retiring in September, and Hemali will be on maternity leave
from July to September.
Review of Minutes
Minutes for December, January and February were accepted.
Discussion with Dawn McKenna, Resident at 9 Hancock Street
The Select Board received a request from Dawn 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.
Dawn says that the way the sidewalk slopes on either side of the crosswalk has an elevation
change and ices over. The town offered to make a path connecting her driveway to her front
door, which she refused.
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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. This estimate of time
does not account for the time it would take for those with mobility impairments to traverse in
addition to fatigue concerns. The possibility of raising the street to form a speed bump and an
elevated sidewalk was suggested.
The crosswalk meets all ADA requirements including the slopes where it meets the sidewalks on
both sides. The Commission previously voted to leave the crosswalk as is.
Hemali agreed with members that the Commission on Disability needs to follow ADA and not
one person’s request.
The Commission decided to stay with their previous vote.
Update from Collaborative Reform Group (CRG)
The second community conversation is being planned for May 9 or 16 to discuss crisis resources
with a panel discussion followed by question-answer period.
Affordable Housing Trust Parcel of Land
There is a town-owned parcel of land near Lowell and North Streets that is being proposed to be
used to build affordable housing.
Len said that there are ways to make housing more attractive as in “village” or “cluster” housing
instead of a big building. He will share photos.
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.
Jim Kelly said the new development might need to look at alternatives.
New Business
Jim Kely said there is a new plumbing code revision that buildings need to be unisex and
accessible.
Victoria mentioned that school data disparities must be addressed and proposed working with
HRC, School Committee and other groups to form a plan.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:27 pm
Minutes submitted by Victoria Buckley
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