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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-15-EC-minpa`�U5 Social Services 1775 pN�tic P Town of Lexington Q W � y D s ao o� m s - A 3 � a� V MALL I9" �Fk I N(iTn� I leather Hartshorn Sweeney, Director of Social Services Tel: (781) 861 -0194 Fax: (781) 863 -2271 Enablement Committee Minutes October 15, 2002 Present: Bob Harris, Chair; Victoria Buckley; Chuck Cole; Richard Landau; Steve Corr, Captain of Operations, Police Department; Steve Baran, ADA Coordinator Absent: Jennifer Aliber; Barbara Barrows; Sue Cusack, Dan Murphy Minutes of 10 /1/02: The minutes of 10/1/02 were approved with the exception that on page 2 the sentence reading: Chuck Cole noted that when he Trent to vote at the Fire Station he could notfrnd a handicapped parking place and had to walk two blacks away in order to vote. to : Chuck Cole noted that when he went to vote at the Fire Station he could not find a handicapped parking place and had to walk from one block away in order to vote. Problem of bikes in the Town Center: As presented by Richard Landau, Committee member I. It is estimated that there are 200 blind people in Lexington and 1,400, if contiguous towns are included in the count, with many suffering from age - related macular degeneration. 2. Blind baby boomers will increase that number. 3. Many blind people do not use a white cane and remain a invisible. ». At normal walking speeds, collisons can be avoided, but bikes and skateboards are going too fast to be avoided. A bicycle is a stealth weapon. Kids should walk Choir bicycles on Mass. Ave. and not drop them on the sidewalk. 4. Many blind and fragile elderly avoid downtown and go to malls where bicycles are prohibited ; Richard likes to go to the pharmacy and coffee shop. 5. Women bike riders and skate board users are usually polite when infractions are brought to their attention; guys are often rude and arrogant. 6. The ordinance should be repealed if it is not enforced. 7. Victoria Buckley: Skateboards are less of a problem because they can be heard. Wheelchair users, strollers and people using crutches are also affected. Captain Corr's response : 1. The police have been doing a poor job with enforcement. 2. There are signs to the effect that the Board of Selectmen require bicycle riders to comply with the ,r> law. 3 There has been no x Center n officer for the past two years. 4 The Police Department will make an effort; there are no guarantees. The Police Department is _ facing a 20% cut. 5.; An educational campaign will be initiated with nine new officers coming out of the academy, 6. Officer Paul Jenkins will be on duty in the Center from Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This ` will be augmented with bicycle patrol officers. 1475 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSHI TS 02420 The Enablemont Committee may wish to consider joining in an educational campaign through the Town's Web Page, the Lexington Minuteman and on Bike Safety Day. Signage should be reviewed, particularly at major exit points and near CVS. It is suggested that the signage change be proposed by the Enablement Committee beginning with the Board of Selectmen, pursued through the Center Conunittee, with final approval by the Historic Districts Commission. Support should be obtained from the Bicycle Advisory Committee and the Friends of the Bikeway. Voting place accessibility 1. Steve Baran agreed to review main firehouse accessibility for voting with Donna Hooper, Town Clerk 2. Concerns include primary enhance, signage indicating where to go for voting, and unimpeded access within. Authorization of correspondence from the Enablement Committee 1. All correspondence will henceforth carry the signature of the Chairperson with exceptions to be authorized by vote of the Committee. 2. Movcd by Richard Landau; seconded by Chuck Cole. Passed unanimously. October 23 meeting on Visitors' Center bathroom design improvments 1. It is not convenient for Bob Harris to attend meeting. 2. Steve Baran will furnish Bob with a set of plans. FY 04 ADA capital budget proposal 1. The Committee examined Steve's revised list of priority improvements. 2. Richard suggested that the presentation be reordered so that locations most likely to be used by persons with disabilities be listed first. 3. Bob suggested that the East Lexington library have ramps from ground to porch and porch to door with an intervening platform. 4. The proposal will be taken to affected department heads to see if they have connnents or additions. Letter to Jay Kaufman from Enablement Committee drafted by Victoria Bucldey The draft letter was reviewed by the Committee and corrections were made. Michael Martignetti It was suggested that Michael Martignetti be invited to attend meetings of the Enablement Committee.