HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-15-COD-min Commission on Disability
Minutes from December 15, 2020
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Shaun Grady, Leonard Morse-Fortier, Janet Perry, Francine
Stieglitz, Michael Martignetti, Julie Miller
Town Liaisons:Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner
Commission Liaisons: Bonnie Teitleman-Levin, COA; Rod Cole, CEC
Guests: Ingrid Klimoff
NOTE:The meeting of the Commission on Disability was held on Tuesday, December 15,2020,at 5:30 PM,
conducted by Remote Participation,via Zoom webinar,an online meeting platform.
The meeting started with the reading of Governor Baker's orders.
Minutes for November
Minutes for November were revised and unanimously accepted.
LexHab -Vine Street Building Project
Len reported that this 7-unit development project will create 2 accessible units with parking.
The neighborhood concerns were raised about impact related to density, traffic, and location of
the parking. Neighbors/abutters were additionally concerned that this plan exceeds their initial
understanding of a 2-unit project.
Discussion about affordable housing
There is a move to start looking at the issues related to affordable housing. They have to be
built to net zero or cost little to run due to their environmentally sensitivity. We would like to
have a better sense of new projects in the pipeline. Perhaps it should be recommended that
instead of building that we purchase existing property like Katandin Woods to support the
Town's effort to meet and exceed the 10%threshold recommended by the state.
Discussion regarding the Full Inclusion Resolution and next steps
This resolution was discussed by the Select Board with no follow-up. As it is a resolution, there
will be opportunities to re-write with legal language and the creation of a formal presentation.
One committee question -what will be the recourse if action items are identified that require
funds?
Discussion about the possibility of hiring a Town Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
The Select Board is willing to bring this position forward. It will be in the 2022 Town budget. We
would like to see the job description and recommend that a member of the Commission be on
the hiring committee. We nominate Janet Perry due to her extensive knowledge of inclusive HR
hiring practices.
Project with the Human Rights Committee
We are looking for an update on working group on effects of pandemic on those with
disabilities. Victoria was looking at data related to police shooting. A disproportionate number
have involved individuals with a disability, including hearing loss as well as psychiatric issues.
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Additional New Business:
• Entrance accessibility for businesses in the Center
Many businesses in the Center can be made accessible through the streetscape program. For
those with more challenging access issues, Shaun worked with John Livsey and Dave
Pinsonneault to generate a list of access challenges and looked at individual properties and
discussed what could be done.
• Updates from Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner:
a. Omar's has been approved by the HDC with the installation of the elevator.
b. 411 Waltham Street, Keys for Kids, had a 2" threshold, and while the tenant did
not have control over this concern, the owner did and took care of it.
c. Bridges at Lexington (memory care), 56 Watertown Street, Lexington—closing
the site for the winter. The other side is the independent living program. The
foundation is being poured, but plans are behind due to issues related to
unsuitable soils.
• Bridge School/Middleby Street Speed bumps -The double set of speed bumps in front of
Bridge School need to be painted to increase visibility and may be too high as
handicapped vehicles are bottoming out on them.
• Future Meetings— Monday nights are a possibility after our January meeting.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Sue Cusack
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