HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-06-COD-min Commission on Disability
Minutes July 6, 2017
In attendance: Julie Miller, Francine Stieglitz, Victoria, Len Morse-Fortier, Shaun Grady,
Janet Perry, Joe Pato, Fred Lonardo, Dave Pinsonneauly
Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation & Community Programs — report on study of
accessibility in all Town fields and recreation spaces
The presentation was offered by XX from Activitas about the accessibility of 21
public site being reviewed for ADA Compliance. Where there were problems, the
most common observation related to accessibility of the pathway or access to the
parks, playground, or recreational area or the need for accessible parking
spaces. There is funding to address concerns at 2 areas a year, typically a
playground and a park a year.
We observed that bleachers are challenging for individuals with vision
impairments as there is no indication of edges and lack of railing. Director Battite
mentioned that a proposal will be presented next year for replacement of the
bleachers. Recommendations like the use of paint to highlight edges if not
integrated into the regulations was a welcomed suggestion.
Capital Project at the Pool
The pool capital project is schedule to start after Labor Day. Filtration and
plumbing are being addressed with an expansion of the footprint of the building
to accommodate the filtration system and the addition of a family changing room.
Parking at back of Community Center— no HP spaces
The town is above the required number of spaces for the Center, but the back of
the build is accessible, but conditions in the back are not. There is some concern
that it may not be able to be brought up to code. They are looking to add an
additional curb cut that will also address the concern of bus drop off blocking
access to the curb cuts without blocking traffic.
Parker Meadow Accessible Trail RFP — update from Michael Martignetti
The RFP is pending.
WGBH story about Lexington's sidewalks
We were in agreement that the reporting on the Sidewalk by WGBH was
misleading in that it did not include any references to problems related to an all
brick installation for individuals' vision and neurological disabilities. This fact was
offered by several members of the commission and omitted from the TV
broadcast article. The report narrowly focused on mobility issues.
Fred Lonardo offered the following new business:
Waldorf School are starting their capital campaign, which will make the lower
level and their bathrooms accessible.
The town has purchased the Pelham School, and is exploring the possibility of
combining it with the Community Center. The minimum upgrade is $5M, the
outside bid was $21 M. The Lexington Children's Place needs a new school,
which is one of the reasons that this project was started. The program is
currently located in the new and old Harrington Schools. In August there will be a
joint meeting with the School Committee, Selectmen, and the Finance
Committees to discuss potential design solutions for the renovations of the
structures. The low bid was not acceptable; the medium did not address
programmatic needs for a preschool; and the high was close to the cost of
building a new structure. Tearing down and building new may offer more
flexibility and choices for the community about how to approach this opportunity.
Respectfully Submitted — Sue Cusack