HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-02-COD-min Commission on Disability
Meeting Minutes —August 2, 2018
Members Present: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Shaun Grady, Leonard Morse-Fortier, Janet Perry,
Francine Stieglitz
Town Liaisons: Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner; Joe Pato, Selectman; Bonnie Teitelman,
Council on Aging
Guests: Thomas Puschak, DMD
Minutes
The minutes for May, June and July were accepted unanimously
Brief Description of Artis Senior Living Project
This is for the Memory Care Assisted Living at 430 Concord Avenue. We originally discussed
this at our September 7, 2017 meeting. The variances requested that we approved then are: to
locate the shower controls on the end walls instead of adjacent to the shower seats; to modify
part of the countertop heights in the pantries to be 34 inches instead of 36 inches. Jim Kelly says
that Artis is only now filing their request for variance with the AAB and that is the reason we
were notified; this is already approved by us.
Concerns about Proposed Curb Cuts for DPW Review
John Livsey and David Pinsonneault from DPW will be able to come in September to talk to us
about our concerns about the proposed Streetscape curb cuts. They would like to know what we
are concerned about to prepare for the meeting. Members said that what was discussed at the
July meeting should be sent to them:
"We appreciate that the curb cuts are designed in-line with the path of travel as opposed to on the
corner of intersections. That said, we are also very concerned about the introduction of all brick
curb cuts. These new curb cuts will be introduced into the areas that are classified as brick
sidewalks. The design includes a gray border made of concrete to signal the outside perimeter of
the curb cut, and a red rumble plate. Our concern is multifaceted: we are concerned about weak
to poor color contrast of the gray border and rumble plate. This choice of colors is discouraged
by the ADA, according to a technical brief(https://www.accessboard.gov/research/completed-
research/visual-detection-of-detectable-warning-materials/technical-brief). We are already
concerned about the structural integrity of brick as a reliable and stable surface. Extending brick
as a surface into a sloped area such as a curb cut is even more likely to experience structural
failure. We will ask to speak to DPW about our grave concerns."
Concerns are mostly about color and tactile contrast, as well as whether or not the granite is
slippery, how the brick is cut to be sloping and how it transitions to the sloping part. Victoria
will send DPW these concerns ahead of the meeting.
Continued Discussion about Outreach
Bonnie said that the Council on Aging invites us to their September or October meeting, on the
first Wednesday of the month, 2:30-4:00 pm. She also said that there is a new initiative to help
Lexington be "age-friendly", looking at accessibility and affordability issues so more citizens
can age in place. Kelly also has ideas about outreach and we will keep this agenda item open.
Revised Plans for Dentist Office
Dr. Puschak brought his newly revised plans to use landscaping to make his dentist office
accessible. There are several areas where he will need to add railways and several areas where
the slope might require a variance. He will talk to others in the condo building and then bring his
project to Jim Kelly.
Disparate Suspension Rates in LPS
We are waiting for meeting to be set up with new superintendent.
Minutes respectfully submitted,
Victoria Buckley