HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-18-COD-min.docx
Commission on Disability
Meeting Minutes for November 18, 2025
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Leonard Morse-Fortier, Francine Stieglitz, Nancy
Wong, John Rossi, Shaun Grady
Town Liaisons: Kelly Axtell, Deputy Town Manager; Juanica Buchanan, Clinical and
Community Outreach Manager; Joe Pato, Select Board; Jim Kelly, Building Inspector
Committee Liaisons: Rod Cole, CEC; Pam Lyons, Transportation Advisory
Committee; Stephanie Hsu, Human Rights Committee
Guests: Dana Bickelman, Director of Human Services; Melissa Termine Battite,
Director of Recreation and Community Programs
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 extended
pandemic-related authorizations that were set to expire on March 31 through March 31,
2025, and then the Governor signed a bill to further extend the date through June 30,
2027.
Announcements and Review of Minutes
Kelly Axtell introduced Juanica Buchanon, Clinical and Community Outreach
Manager.
The Commission will briefly present the Universal Design Resolution to the Select
Board on December 22.
6 pm – Presentation of 93 Bedford Street
Tyler Ruger and Richard Maetz, from Katz Architect group presented the group 1
condominium project. There will 30 group 1 units with one- or two-bedroom units on
3 floors. The decks are ADA-compliant, doorways are 32”. There will be accent
lighting via recessed cans. The Commission asked for electric car provisions in the
handicapped parking spaces.
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Update about the Employment of People with Disabilities Panel: Dana Bickelman,
Director of Human Services
Dana shared that she needs more time to coordinate a panel.
Janet has arranged a meeting for Dana with MassAbility career services and
business department.
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There is a plan for early November, perhaps November 10. She got 11 responses
from the survey and isn’t expecting more. They are using this data as the foundation
for future work.
Status of the Universal Design Draft Proposal submitted to Select Board
Joe acknowledged that Victoria’s presentation of the UD proposal was well received
at the Select Board meeting.
Update on Rotary Discussion for Pleasant Street and Bedford Street
Janet Perry and Sue Cusack met with Ross Morrow, Assistant Town Engineer. It was
an informative meeting with several points emphasized:
Due to the size, these intersections are “round-abouts” not “rotaries”.
Concern about contrast was acknowledged as important. Ross will look into
possible alternatives that are easy fixes, like contrast paint.
He is happy to review the signage, but was quick to acknowledge that they were
trying to model the signage as similar to the one near the Battle Green.
Sue drove by the Battle Green the other day and noticed that there was a Yield
sign with the circle of arrows to visually represent a rotary. It could be seen
approaching the round-about on Bedford Street going towards the Green (S&S
behind you).
Ross did offer that the yield sign at the Pleasant Street round about was being
knocked over by trucks.
He also suggested that there were other constraints on Pleasant Street related to
historically significant trees, which then curtails the placement of the circle in the
round-about.
He has received complaints about lighting in that area and will see what they can
do to address that concern.
He will review adding signage that more clearly suggests a round-about, similar
to the yield sign near the Battle Green.
Finally - the island at the Pleasant St round-about is off-center to accommodate
trucks.
No further action required on our part, COA seemed satisfied.
Protocol for the Fire Department to Check Apartments/Housing for
Individuals with Disabilities
Francine visited with the Fire Department and learned that they do not have a
process for attending to these details. Karen Edwards, Fire Prevention Clerk,
is the person to contact. Perhaps a protocol is necessary for Section 8
Housing and other residences.
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Liberty Ride Access for individuals with Hearing Loss
Francine would like to speak in person with Jackson Rhodes who is facilitating the
Liberty Ride. There is a transcript but there is no one who signs, or if more
accommodations would be possible. She received encouragement from Commission
members to do this.
Further Discussion about Subcommittees and Working Groups
Kelly explained that Subcommittees are subject to open meeting laws, working
groups are not subject to open meeting laws but you cannot have a quorum, need to
pull in outside people, work on something that is short term, and are not required to
be public.
New business
Jim Kelly brought up a 40B project on Lowell Street, which the group discussed as a
previously reviewed development with energy-efficient, accessible, and affordable
units.
Kelly Axtell reminded us that to be in compliance, votes on ZOOM have to be made
by roll call.
Meeting Adjourned 7:16pm
Minutes submitted by Victoria Buckley
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