HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-03-COD-min Commission on Disability
Meeting Minutes —May 3, 2018
Members Present: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Sue Cusack, Shaun Grady, Julie Miller, Leonard Morse-
Fortier, Janet Perry, Francine Stieglitz
Town Liaisons: Kelly Axtell, Assistant Town Manager; Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner; Joe Pato,
Selectman; Bonnie Teitleman, Council on Aging; Jeffrey Toronto, Human Rights Committee
Guest: David Pinsonneault, Director of Public Works and Dawn McKenna, Chair of the Tourism
Committee
Minutes:
The minutes of the last meeting were approved
Center Streetscape:
We had a brief discussion about the Center Streetscape public hearing scheduled for June 1 lth at
7:OOpm in Estabrook Hall and how to prepare for it. Representation by CoD members was encouraged.
The 25% design will be presented. The architect is putting the Selectmen's approved elements into the
plan. The goal is to advance the next phase of the design process to the fall town meeting/The goal is to
request 100% design funding at the fall town meeting.
The Selectmen have decided to support whatever materials are in place now, which means updating
brick for brick, concrete for concrete.
Follen Church Update:
The initial proposal for the church renovation had some challenges at the front door, but church
members working on the proposal were able to address several other access considerations that the
Commission approved. A variance was needed to address a pathway around a structural problem with
the church organ but church members were able to come up with an elegant alternative that our Chair
reviewed and approved.
175 Bedford Street:
Tom Puschak, D.M.D., came to discuss some access challenges that he is trying to address at his dentist
office at 175 Bedford Street. He presented different challenges that he is trying to work through to
encourage accessibility entry into the building at the entrance to his business condominium as well as
access to other entryways in the building. He offered three different possible options. The commission
made some suggestions that used landscaping solutions to minimize the number of ramp switchbacks
that were in his proposals.
Battle Green Master Plan:
David Pinsonneault, Director of Public Works, and Dawn McKenna, Chair of the Tourism Committee,
shared plans for enhanced accessibility to monuments on the Battle Green. These enhancements
included large-cut granite pavers around the Obelisk. Discussion focused on the second of two options:
to extend the pathway to the Mass Ave sidewalk so that everyone would be able to use the same
entryway. The pathway would then fork just before the historic steps creating an accessible route to the
right that would circle around to the obelisk.
Curb cuts are part of the Master Plan Streetscape, but this piece of the project has not been addressed.
There is a trolley stop in front of this monument where changes will anticipate a redesign of the landing
space more suitable for wheelchairs.
Other monuments on the Battle Green and in front of the Visitor Center will be modified to have a
similar treatment, granite pavers, grass, and accessible pathways. All the pathways are stabilized
aggregate.
One other issue raised was Belfry Hill. The best viewing space is off of Clarke Street across from the
Library. The Tourism Committee is suggesting an accessible viewing spot.
The plaques on the ground in front of the flagpole will be elevated so that people can more easily see
them.
Updates:
There was no update on the schools survey.
A variance was granted for the Busa Liquor driveway at 55 Bedford Road.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Cusack