HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-18-COD-minCommission on Disability
March 18, 2025 Meeting Minutes
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Sue Cusack, Shaun Grady, Francine Stieglitz, Leonard Morse -
Fortier
Town Liaisons: Kelly Axtell, Deputy Town Manager; Joe Pato, Select Board
Committee Liaisons: Rod Cole, CEC; Stephanie Hsu, HRC
Guests: Christina Burwell, Munroe Center; Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and
Community Programs; Kate DeAngelis, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
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
Therefore, this Commission on Disability meeting was held remotely via Zoom, an online
meeting platform. Public Participation via calling in or using your computer was encouraged.
Announcements
• The Commission received information from Michael Muehe to question the variance for
Munroe Center so that will be reviewed at this meeting first.
• Victoria discussed her experience with cyberbullying during the election season, which
contributed to not be re-elected. The group expressed support for Victoria and
suggested exploring legal recourse for the harassment. Kelly offered to contact the
police department to initiate an investigation.
Monroe Center Entrance Accessibility Discussion
• The Commission discussed the accessibility of the Monroe Center's front entrances. The
architect wants a variance for the front door to no longer be the main entrance. Michael
Muehe suggested making the front doors "exit -only" or removing exterior hardware to
direct people to the new accessible main entrance at the rear.
• Christina Burwell explained that one front door is already exit -only, while the other is
used by the mail carrier.
• The Commission debated various signage options to guide people to the rear entrance
while maintaining inclusivity. They ultimately agree that appropriate signage directing
people to the main entrance at the rear is sufficient, without removing hardware or
preventing entry through the front door.
• A motion is made to approve this approach, with the understanding that efforts will be
made to clearly guide people to the new entry while still allowing access through the
front door. An amended letter will be sent to MAAB.
Discussion about Town Meeting Articles
Articles 10b, 10g, Center Playground, fundng LexHab — all these articles are
supported by the Commission and Victoria will speak on behalf of the Commission at
Town Meeting.
More specifically, members approved of a letter of recommendation supporting
$1.49 million for a full replacement and upgrade of the Center playground to make it
universally accessible. Melissa provided details on the playground project timeline,
noting community outreach would begin immediately if approved, with construction
• ".ITI moa • • • • . • • • ••
The Commission also voted to support funding for LexHab properties ($494,140) a
the Affordable • • part of Article 10.
Program a e from ecrea io and Community Development by Melissa Battite, Director
of Recreation and Community Programs; Kate DeAngelis; Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
• Melissa and Kate presented updates on their projects, highlighting the growth and
impact of their programs and services across various age groups and abilities. They are
offering services from preschool students to seniors,
• They discussed the introduction of an "all abilities fund" which has received over $3,800
in donations, supporting training, orientations, supplies, equipment, and staffing. They
also announced the establishment of a new division, Therapeutic Recreation, which will
be the fourth division within their Recreation Enterprise Fund. The team expressed
excitement about these developments and their potential to benefit the community.
• Melissa shared updates on completed projects, including the Center Recreation
Complex restrooms which are completed and the Old Reservoir Bathhouse. She said
that the Old Reservoir project got a MobiMat but needed new bids as funding was
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She • discussed current and upcoming projects,• rClubhouse
renovation•ln Field 2 funding. Melissa mentioned the need for
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improvements inthe Lincoln Park Fitness Center and the Lincoln Park Boardwalks. She
also discussed the potential for park improvements and the replacement ofthe Lincoln
3 field.
• Therapeutic Recreation Division's activities and achievements were highlighted next.
• Kate DeAngelis provided an overview of the therapeutic recreation division's activities
and achievements. The division offers adaptive, specialized, and inclusive programs for
individuals with disabilities, collaborating with many groups to increase accessible
opportunities. They have expanded their outreach to adults and seniors, with 117
• They had 203 inclusion requests.
• The division has introduced new programs like adaptive quick ball and unified f1w.4
football, and plans to open a Lexpresso community cafe as a job training site for
individuals with disabilities. Kate emphasizes the importance of their staff and
volunteers in making these programs successful, highlighting their passion and
Community Center Expansion and Collaborations
• Kate presented on the growth and expansion of the community center's prograrrts,,
highlighting the sensory room and the increasing need for mental health support.
• Melissa expressed gratitude for the community's support and encouraged further
engagement.
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Victoria and Francine discussed potential collaborations with NAMi
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Victoria will write an addendum to the letter to the MAAB regarding the Monroe Center
entrance variance, stating that sufficient signage is acceptable for granting the variance.
0 Victoria will draft a letter of support for the Center Recreation Playground funding
0 Victoria to reach out to NAMI Central Middlesex to connect them with the Recreation
Department's therapeutic programs.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Victoria Buckley, using Al summary.
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