HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-07-COD-min Commission on Disability
Minutes from March 7, 2019
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Michael Martignetti,Julie Miller, Leonard Morse-Fortier,
Janet Perry
Town Liaisons: Kelly Axtell, Assistant Town Manager;Joe Pato, Selectman; Bonnie Teitelman,
Council on Aging
Guests: Lin Jensen, Christiana Mager
• Streetscape Ramp: We are still waiting to test a sample of the new ramp design
proposed for the Streetscape project.
• Announcement: Susan Barrett asked Victoria to announce that the MBTA fares will be
increasing as are Lexpress fares. This will probably mean that RIDE fares will increase as
well. There was a brief discussion about RIDE issues and how hard it is to get issues
addressed and resolved.
• Presentation by Lin Jensen and Christiana Mager, proponents of citizens' articles
30 & 31 for Town Meeting: Lin and Christiana are working with Girl Scouts to pass
articles Town Meeting to ban polystyrene food service ware and also to ban single-use
plastic beverage straws. They presented to the Commission since some people with
disabilities need plastic straws. They circulated several examples of compostable paper
and plastic straws. Commission members had already reviewed the NPR article (citation
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health reasons why someone might need a more rigid straw, such as spasticity in the
jaw, dental needs, etc. The concern is to make sure that there are flexible straws
suitable for those who need them. The wording for the Article 31 that was suggested
prior to this meeting was;Food Establishments will be allowed, upon request and when
reusable or compostable straws are either not feasible or not available, to distribute
single-use plastic straws for persons with health-related needs. Based on this wording in
Article 31 and the idea of doing outreach with the Girl Scouts to the merchants, the
Commission voted unanimously to support the article. We will need to talk to restaurant
owners to see how we can help them understand the needs of their customers. Joe Pato
suggested that Lin ask the moderator of Town Meeting to call on Victoria when the
article is presented to state the Commission's support.
• Minutes: February minutes were reviewed and approved.
• Update on Council on Aging presentation (March 6): In accordance with the
Commission's desire to do more outreach, Victoria presented yesterday to the Council
on Aging. She shared information about the Commission and the ADA, as well as asking
what their needs might be. One attendee talked about there being no pedestrian light at
Simonds Road and Bedford Street—Victoria will refer this to Kelly Axtell. There was a
brief discussion of forming a voluntary registry of citizens with disabilities; outreach to
the Massachusetts Office of Disability will be done to see if other towns offer this.
• Additional new business: Victoria brought up that she had received a call from a citizen
who was concerned that the decision to not cancel the Town elections due to snow may
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have made it difficult for seniors and those with disabilities to vote. Other options were
discussed such as early voting and absentee ballots.
• Next Meeting: Our next meeting is scheduled for April 4 from 5:45— 7:OOpm in the
Parker Room, G-15, ground floor of Town Hall.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Victoria Buckley
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