HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-02-COD-min Commission on Disability
Minutes from January 2, 2020
Members: Victoria Buckley, chair, Sue Cusack, Shaun Grady (by phone), Leonard
Morse-Fortier, Francine Stieglitz
Town Liaisons: Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner; Joe Pato, Selectman; Rod Cole,
Capital Expenditures Committee Bonnie Teitelman, Council on Aging
Guests: Mariah Seaboldt , AKF Group; Alex Adkins of DiMella Shaffer; James
Freehling, CEO/President, Brookhaven
December Minutes
• Minutes were approved.
Brookhaven Variance
• Marian Seaboldt from AKF Group, Alex Adkins of DiMella Shaffer and James
Freehling from Brookhaven presented two variance requests for Brookhaven at
Lexington, 1010 Waltham Street, Lexington. Brookhaven is constructing an
addition directly adjacent to an existing building. The addition will contain two
levels of performance and community space and two levels of assisted care
units. There will be a double fire wall constructed between the existing building
and the addition. On level 1, there will be automatic fire shutters deployed when
fire is detected. On floors 2-4, there is not enough ceiling space for fire shutters.
The proposal is for two sets of fire doors on levels 2, 3 and 4 to be held open on
magnetic latches and only closed when fire is detected. These two sets of fire
doors are not able to be 48 inches apart, which is the standard when doors are
for egress and for emergency, yet these are not. Therefore the "two doors in
series" variance can be granted. Furthermore, these doors do not need to meet
the maneuverability clearance standard as occupants will not have to operate
them in either an emergency or a non-emergency situation, so that variance can
also be granted. The Commission will write a letter to the AAB supporting these
variances.
Review of Plastic Straws Material
• Materials were re-written by Cindy Arens and approved by the Commission. They
will now go to the Town Manager for approval.
Parker Meadow Update
• Discussion postponed until Michael can update the Commission.
Website discussion
• Town website should consider ease of navigation in addition to following W3C
guidelines which are a more actively revised suite of guidelines. Section 508
guidelines (federal) have not been revised for some time and given the rapid
changes in the web, it is worth looking to guidelines that are more recent and
proactive.
New Business - Updates from Jim Kelly
• Hastings School is scheduling an opening during the February break.
• Brookhaven opened their 5 story building, 49 living units; people have been
moving in since the end of December 2019.
New Business - Police Station
• Joe Pato offered that the Select Board saw the plans a few weeks ago. The price
has escalated beyond the original amount, and the designers were asked to go
to the HDC to see if they can avoid preserving two walls of the facade to lower
the price or build from scratch somewhere else. We will be checking in with the
Assistant Town Manager to ask to see the plans as soon as they become
available.
Respectfully submitted: Victoria Buckley