HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-08-04-COD-min.pdf Commission on Disability Minutes
August 4, 2004
Present:
Michael Novack, Victoria Buckley, Charles Sargent of the Lexington Police Department
Absent:
Richard Landau, Dan Perez, Leonard Morse-Fortier, William Kennedy, Chuck Cole, Michael
Martignetti, Jennifer Aliber, Sue Cusack
Discussion:
Minutes
Since there was not a quorum present, minutes from July 7th could not be approved. Approval of
the minutes will be sought at the September Commission meeting.
Sidewalk Issues
On July 26th,there was a disability complaint filed with ADA Coordinator Michael Novack I
regarding the safety risk to pedestrians created by bicyclists and skateboarders riding on town
center sidewalks in violation of the town bylaw that prohibits this. Michael Novack met with
Charles Sargent of the Lexington Police Department and William Hadley of the Department of
Public Works on July 30th. The following solutions were proposed.
1 That the Commission on Disability formally request that the Historic Districts
Commission allow for the placement of additional signage around the town center
prohibiting the riding of bicycles and skateboards on the public sidewalk. Any requests
for additional signage or proposed changes to the shape, size, and design of the current
signage must be submitted to and are subject to the approval of the Historic Districts
Commission. Charles Sargent of the Lexington Police Department also presented a list of
proposed locations for additional signage that would be prominent to bicyclists in the
town center. The Bicycle Advisory Committee undertook a similar initiative in the year
2000. The result was the Historical Districts Commission approving and the Bicycle
Advisory Committee purchasing five signs which were posted at the following locations:
• In front of the Crafty Yankee boutique— 1838 Mass Ave (oval design)
• In front of the former Aesops Bagels shop— 1666 Mass Ave (oval design)
• In front of Copacafe— 1727 Mass Ave (oval design)
• On the stop sign behind the visitor's center—off Meriam Street
(rectangular design)
• On a telephone pole at the bikeway entrance to the town center—behind
Videosmith and the old Kraft cleaners— 1713 Mass Ave (rectangular
design). This sign is currently missing.
If the Historic Districts Commission approves any additional or new signage, William
Hadley has indicated that the Department of Public Works will purchase and install it
around the town center.
2. Charles Sargent of the Lexington Police Departmeixkerlthd numbered warning cards
that police officers can distribute to bicyclists infornlingthem that they are in violation of
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a town by-law that prohibits bicycles from being ridden on the sidewalk. A flyer from
the Lexington Police Department about the by-law can also be mailed out with the tax
bills to residents.
3 Charles Sargent of the Lexington Police Department indicated that the Lexington Police
Department would run an article in the Lexington Minuteman reminding bicyclists of the
by-law against riding bicycles on the sidewalk. Violators of the by-law are subject to a
$25.00 fine
4 William Hadley indicated that he would look into placing additional bicycle racks in the
town center to prevent bicycles from being left out in the path of pedestrians.
5 Charles Sargent indicated that the Lexington Police Department would increase the foot
patrols of officers in the town center on weekends. These officers will warn bicyclists
who ride their bicycles on the sidewalk that they are in violation of the by-law and are
subject to a $25 00 fine.
Michael Novack spoke to Joann Gschwendtner of the Historic Districts Commission about the
protocol necessary for requesting additional or new signage in the town center and obtained
copies of the documentation needed to petition the Historic Districts Commission. As there was
not a quorum present at the meeting, he will bring the materials to the September Commission
meeting for additional discussion.
Lexfest
The date for Lexfest is Saturday, October 2" from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The Commission
on Disability had previously decided in July that they wished to participate this year. Michael
Novack had the suggestion of having tables at Lexfest with representatives from the Commission
for the Blind, the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Lexington Commission
on Disability to promote disability awareness and education. In addition to the materials
presented by the Commissions for the Blind, Deaf, and Hard of Hearing, the Lexington
Commission on Disability could also distribute handouts similar to last year about what the
Commission does, an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act, copies of the Disability
Complaint Form, and applications for disabled placards. As there was not a quorum present at
the meeting, the Commission can further discuss any additional ideas for Lcxfest at the
September Commission meeting. The deadline for formal registration is September 9th
Next Meeting:
The next meeting of the Commission on Disability will be Wednesday, September 151
at 4:00 p.m. in Room 105 in Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted by Michael Novack, LICSW