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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-21-EC-minJS MOAN, op� 1775 �EXINCTp2 N� P Town of Lexington < o� �� Social Services y A yi � a� pPPILl4° Heather Hartshorn Sweeney, Director of Social Services Tel: (781) 861 -0194 Fax: (781) 863 -2271 Enablement Committee Minutes February 21, 2003 Present: Barbara Harris, Jennifer Aliber, Victoria Buckley, Charles Cole, Richard Landau, Dan Murphy, Michael Novack, Heather Sweeney Absent: Robert Harris, Chair, Sue Cusack Introduction of Michael Novack: Michael Novack, LICSW was introduced as the new Social Service Coordinator and ADA Coordinator for the Town of Lexington replacing Steven Baran, Commission Status: Commission status is on Town Warrant — Article 26. Copy of General Law Chapter 40: Section 8J was distributed by Heather Sweeney to Enablement Committee members. Victoria Buckley volunteered to speak in favor of the Enablement Committee becoming a Commission at Town Meeting. Report on Properties with potential ADA issues: Michael Novack, Social Services Coordinator /ADA Coordinator, reported on the following properties: • Dunkin Donuts 323 Marrett Road. Because there are under 15 parking spaces in the parking lot (11 to be precise), Dunkin Donuts cannot forcibly be made to put in a handicapped spot and ramp. Michael Novack had previously spoken with Grayland Cousins, owner of the Dunkin Donuts. He indicated that since the store was remodeled in April, he believes it is now fully compliant. The far right parking space, by the dumpster, has been designated as a handicapped space. There is a ramp coming up on to the sidewalk. He indicated that he has been in contact with the contractor who did the remodeling to have proper signage and a handicapped insignia painted on the pavement. Charles Cole volunteered to write a letter to the Town Selectmen about approaching the Town Lawyer to inquire if the Town has the authority to pass an ordinance /by -law change that would prevent architectural barriers from being erected where none existed previously. The members of the Enablement Committee would also pike for Building Commissioner Steven Frederickson to be invited to attend upcoming ADA Community Access Monitoring Trainings that will be attended by Michael Novack, Wayne Medlin, and Brian Gilbert. Dates on these trainings are forthcoming. • Windspeed Ventures 52 Waltham Street. Building Commissioner Steven Frederickson indicated that the owners of Windspeed Ventures had contacted the Architectural Access Board and were told that if the rear entrance to their building was not open to the public, no handicapped ramp was required. Ohestions arose from Committee members as to whether Windspeed Ventures is a, place of public accommodation. Michael Novack visited the property and noted that proper signage was in place indicating that the rear entrance was for 1475 MASSACIENE FTS AVF_.NITF. • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 employees only. Per Robert Harris' request, Michael Novack also observed that Windspeed Ventures had not removed the nosing on the back stairs, nor had they installed a railing on to the back stairs. • Dana Home 2027 Massachusetts Avenue. Michael Novack visited the property and there is a handicapped accessible entrance. Per Steve Frederickson, the appraised value of the property is not enough to require that the whole building be made accessible. The work on the building cost $225,000.00 and the assessed value of the building was $1.5 million. • New Harrington Elementary School. No permit has been applied for yet. It is still in its preliminary stages. No plans have been submitted yet to the Building Division. • Massachusetts Buddhist Association 319 Lowell Street. The Massachusetts Buddhist Association has applied for a variance to reduce the clear width of a future handicap ramp from 48 inches to 36 inches citing such supporting reasons as: the building is not open to the general public, the Association not yet experiencing any need for handicapped accessibility, financial hardship, and the further restriction of cars and snow plowing in the back of the building. Jennifer Aliber has volunteered to write a letter to the Architectural Access Board recommending that the variance not be granted. Goals for the new year: The Enablement Committee proposed the following goals for the new year: • How the Committee will adapt to its change in status from a Committee to a Commission if the Town Warrant passes. What will these changes actually mean? • Is a business web site a place of public accommodation? Is this a state or local issue? The Committee would like to explore possible educational activities around web sites. • Addressing the issue of signage in public buildings in the Town of Lexington. The Committee believes that there is a real need for an accessible town for disabled people, rather than merely focusing on the abstract term of accessibility. • The Committee would like to actively engage state and regional disability commissions and increase the educational role and visibility of the Committee. • Committee members were invited by Heather Sweeney to attend upcoming ADA Community Access Monitoring Trainings that will also be attended by Michael Novack, Wayne Medlin, and Brian Gilbert. Dates will be forwarded to Committee members once they become available. New Business: The following new issues were presented for discussion: • The Committee voted to replace Robert Harris as Chair of the Enablement Committee. Robert Harris has elected to step down as Chair. Victoria Buckley will be the new Chair and Richard Landau will be the new Vice -Chair of the Enablement Committee. The monthly minute taker for the Enablement Committee will revolve monthly and Michael Novack will contact the minute taker in advance of each meeting to let them know that it is their turn to do so. • The next meeting of the Enablement Committee will take place on Wednesday, April 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in the Dining Room of the Senior Center.