HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-22-COD-min Commission on Disability
Minutes from July 22, 2020
Members: Victoria Buckley, chair, Shaun Grady,Julie Miller, Leonard Morse-Fortier,Janet Perry,
Susan Cusack, Francine Stieglitz, Michael Martignetti
Town Liaisons: Kelly Axtell, Assistant Town Manager;Joe Pato, Select Board
Commission Liaisons: Georgia Swann, HDC; Rod Cole, CEC
Guests: David Pinsonneault, Director of Public Works;John Livsey,Town Engineer; Mona Roy,
HRC chair
NOTE:The meeting of the Commission on Disability was held on Wednesday,July 22, 2020, at
4:00 PM, conducted by Remote Participation, via Zoom, an online meeting platform.
The meeting started with the reading of Governor Baker's orders.
Minutes for March
Minutes for March were accepted, with changing the date at the top from February 6 to
March 12, 2020.
Presentation by John Livsey,Town Engineer, and David Pinsonneault, Director of the Public
Works on Streetscape
The final parts of the Streetscape are signage, landscaping, slopes and grading. The
plans will be at 100% in August, followed by being put out to bid in late fall or early winter of
2020. There will be full-time inspectors during construction for quality control and
communication. It is anticipated that the project will span two construction periods, April 15—
November 15.
The curb cuts will be concrete with federal yellow strips; this has been approved by the
HDC. All the crosswalks will be on the asphalt. The Commission has asked for all curb cuts to be
facing the streets to be crossed and not diagonally positioned for four-way intersections. The
parking will have the same number of HP spaces. During construction, there will be barricaded
areas.
The Commission wants to ensure that there will be temporary access to the stores. It is
anticipated that there will be a transition plan within the next six months.
Update on Discipline Disparities in LIPS and Fall Plans for Special Education
Georgia Swann discussed how the suspension rates of students in special education
classes were four times that of all students (40 out of 1037 students with IEPs had one or more
suspensions as compared to 59 of 6391). There are some central office initiatives to address
this, including de-escalation, CPI and listening trainings but more effort is needed. Continuity of
reporting still needs to be addressed. Shaun suggested inviting Johnny Cole, Director of Equity
and Student Support for LPS, to a Commission meeting.
Plans for fall are still not final. It is anticipated that there will be hybrid remote and in-
class teaching, with some separate programming for special education.
The Commission asked how they can help SEPAC. Georgia recommended that we stay
involved and that a presentation at a SEPAC meeting might be helpful. We need to look at the
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regression and inequality for those with special education needs and/or social learning
problems further exacerbated by the pandemic.
Discussion about New Public Buildings
The Director of Facilities will set up a meeting to review the plans for the new Police
Station. The Fire Station and Visitor's Center are being completed yet the pandemic prevents
public viewing for now.
Update on Town Warrant Article
Parker Meadow passed unanimously and this conservation parcel will be universally
accessible. The Commission thanks the Conservation Commission for their support.
Respectfully submitted: Victoria Buckley
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