HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-09-EC-update.pdf ENABLEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE
As of 3/9/94
Committee members: Robert Harris, Chairman; Linda Clarke; Pat Kane; Tom
McKinnon; Marion Shepp; Gary Strong
1. 162 and 166 Bedford St. (MacKay Hardware & Trinity Pharmacy--Scott MacKay
508-692-3346)
Ramps needed at primary entrances; also two curb cuts. Meeting to be held with
owner
2. 3 Countryside Village
Side door used by a number of people in wheelchairs is hard to open; threshold needs
repair Linda Clarke who has MS would like to know if doorway can be button-operated
since she has trouble getting key in door and opening with one hand. Contact Stanley Tool
Corporation in Connecticut.
Need 3" x 8" aluminum strip + adhesive tape; also need to spread asphalt to widen
3' x 5' area to 5' x 7' in front of Linda's door.
3. Lowell St. and Woburn St.
Complaint from Linda Nielsen (5A Countryside, 863-1459) through Tom McKinnon
(863-5204) that traffic light in front of Ace Hardware is not safe for use by wheelchair users.
See letter of 2/8/94 from Mass. Highway; intersection to be included on signal up-
grade list. Follow up with Raj Kulen, Traffic Engineer, at 648-6100, x482
4 Hearing Impairment
Rick Safford investigating hearing accessibility of Cary Hall through private
contractor--has looked at infrared (only good for movie theaters), loop (users must be inside
a designated "loop" area), frequency modulations system (each user gets a walkman-type of
receiver, can sit anywhere in the hall).
The recommendation is for two transmitters and a portable device for rooms other
than Cary Hall.
Renee Cochin said at meeting of the Enablement Committee on 9/22/93 that she had
been losing her hearing over a period of years making it difficult for her to function in Town
Meeting; she finds the hearing system to be inadequate. ADA provides people with the
opportunity to have access to a basic institution in the community, namely, Town Meeting.
All Lexington citizens should be able to participate; otherwise it is not a public meeting.
Enablement Committee Update, 3/9/94 Page 2
Renee had written to Town Meeting Members' Association (TMMA) Chairman and to
the Town Manager TMMA support is assured. The Selectmen needed to be made aware;
hearing in their meeting room is also poor. A preliminary proposal was being shown to
various experts.
5 Temporary Placard
Bob Harris had asked the Chief of Police whether he had made temporary placards
available. He said that he did this on a case by case basis in unusual circumstances.
Committee is not in favor of this procedure. This is against the law
See correspondence from Cambridge.
6. Emory Park/Depot Square
See letter from Enablement Committee to Steve Hurley, Design Advisory Committee,
dated 2/14/94 with recommendations.
Meeting on design with Town Manager, Design Advisory Committee and others on
3/8/94 See drawings and narrative.
Sentiment was against having a shelter, but this would not be in accord with State
( AAB regs.
7 Police Station
$1.8 million dollar police/fire communications update + extensive renovations in police
department planned if passed by Town Meeting. Handicap issues to be addressed.