Watertown Commission on Disability

Watertown Commission on Disability Public Meeting Minutes for October 17, 2007

Attending: George Donahue, Chair, Carol Menton, Andrea Greenwood, Alex Liazos, Kim Charlson, Bob Hall, Ann Doughty, Gayle Shattuck, Marilyn Devaney, Lisa Bing, ASL

Guests: Arturo Delucca

Called to Order at 7:05

Nominating Committee: Alex and Gayle reported on their interview with a prospective Commissioner. They recommend Arturo Delucca to the Town Manager as a new Commissioner, with an appointment running to November 1, 2009.

Member Terms:
Bob, Kim, and Marilyn all have terms expiring November 2007
Andrea, Anne and Alex expire 2008
George and Carol expire 2009
Those who are expiring in 2007 who would like to serve for another term can send in letters to Mr Driscoll.

Minutes:
The July minutes needed to be amended to read as follows, in the section where there is a quote about the schools: “which is still greater than the 2 ½ % allowed by law”
Motion to accept the minutes as amended carried.

September minutes: George read the minutes; they were accepted as read.

Marilyn asked about having the meetings tape recorded. No action was taken.

Arturo Delucca was introduced; he is visiting in order to further his understanding of the WCOD’s work.

Chair’s Report: George began his report with comments about getting Mark Sadecki to update the website with text on the screen. George reported on correspondence available for interested parties: Adaptive Environments lecture series, site plan review meeting for Arsenal Residences is tomorrow. Marilyn will attend. George noted that the wheelchair lift is on the outside of the building. There was discussion about this issue. Bob asked about and reported on the Linco Building – George reported that we have received no plans back. Discussion of planning review issues.

George reported on another development at the former Aggregate Building on Grove Street at Coolidge Hill Road. The meeting is scheduled for later in the month.

Discussion of housing /real estate issue in town and how it affects people with disabilities.

Alex will check on the number of accessible units available at Repton Place, ie. is it 5% of the 480 units, as it should be.

Carol asked about Watertown Community Housing and whether they track accessible housing as well as affordable housing. The issues, though separate, also relate to one another.

William Galvin has chosen Automark as the accessible voting machine, which Kim approves of. The machine can be previewed by those who wish to do so. Kim described some of the features, which allow for independence, privacy, and equality.

Emergency Preparedness Program announcements, which George can email to those who are interested. Copies are available for those who want them.

Hosting of Regional Disability Commission monthly meeting will be in May, 12:00pm-3:00pm on a Wednesday, but we don’t know which one yet. Gayle booked both Town Hall Council Chambers and library space (Watertown Savings Bank Room) for all Wednesdays until we know the exact date. Gayle will also ask Cheryl Anastasi to cater.

Treasurer’s Report:
Since last meeting, the account was credited on Sept. 28th $1,915.40.
$170 paid to Arlington for Community Access training for three Commission members.
Leaving current balance $118,047.50. Kim moved to accept the Treasurer’s report; motion carried.

Report on Faire on the Square:
George set up, Anne broke down; Kim, Anne, and Alex worked.
Next year make a specific request that the WCOD get official Faire volunteer help to set up and break down because it did not happen as planned this year. Kim also mentioned needing to get volunteer escorts to get some people with disabilities integrated into the fair appropriately. Discussion of solutions to this; student community service opportunities.

Break: 8:02 – 8:14

Bus Stop report: Alex gave info about the process of getting this on the Council Agenda, which did not happen. Instead it turned into a meeting with two MBTA officials. Explanation of layout of delta and the bus stops and the impact of having the 70A bus there; discussion of relocation to where it used to be, in front of the Watertown Savings Bank. MBTA said that if the DPW approves it, they could make the stop by the crosswalk there. This placement (where it used to be) would mirror the bus stop on the western side of Main St., in front of CVS. This seems like a safe solution, and keeps the stop closer to the point of transfer. This can happen if the Town, through the DPW, requests it.

At 10/9/07 Town Council meeting, this was brought up by Marilyn, then by Alex in public forum. Council did not take it up, but referred it to the DPW committee which Marilyn chairs. This committee needs to meet.

Discussion of process, both within the WCOD and between WCOD and the Town/ DPW.
Bob reviewed last month’s agreement with Jerry Mee and Greg Watson, which did not include going to the MBTA without them. The WCOD subcommittee on the bus stop issue, Alex, Anne and Marilyn, will meet soon to plan next steps.

Dog Ordinance: Bob reported that he has nothing new. Board of Health requested that Councillor Hecht and Bob return for another meeting. Health Dept has agreed to keep information on service animals with all of their public fliers on the front hall table.
Kim mentioned that issues of dog management in public spaces has received a great deal of publicity in Newton.
Bob reported that the issue in Watertown is about inclusion of ADA language in the information the Health Department sends out or makes available.

Special Ed: Review of role of special education on the agenda; changes in laws and noncompliance in Massachusetts are in the news currently. What can WCOD do, (monitoring, publicity, change) to help ensure that students with disabilities are afforded the accommodations required?
Alex will visit the administration building and report on access.

ADJOURNED: 9:05

Respectfully submitted
Andrea Greenwood