Watertown Commission on Disability

Watertown Commission on Disability Public Meeting Minutes for December 21, 2007

In attendance: Gayle Shattuck, Anne Doughty, George Donahue, Alex Liazos, Bob Hall, Kim Charlson, Carol Menton, Andrea Greenwood.
Stefanie Farrell, CART; Lisa Bing, ASL

Guests: Arturo DeLucca, Fred Isaacs, Jerry Mee

Called to Order: 7:07 pm

Jerry Mee gave a report on the status of the bus stop location in Watertown Square. His study says that the Delta would be the safest place, but the MBTA has not agreed to relocate it to the Delta yet. Jerry and the Town are trying to work cooperatively with the MBTA, but will move forward with other tools should that become necessary.

Alex Liazos asked about time frame for follow up and using the support of Senator Tolman’s office. Jerry feels that at this point, it is more productive to work with the MBTA, and that things are moving forward.

Kim Charlson asked Jerry about snow removal and lack of access to the audible signals, while noting the excellent snow removal job here in general, especially as compared to neighboring cities and towns. Jerry made a note of it, but stressed how overworked the plowing, salting and sanding crews are with the way the storms have fallen. They have been going around digging out fire hydrants and doing as much as possible to remove snow, but have several more days work ahead of them.

Andrea Greenwood asked about the reverse 911 message from police lifting the parking ban. Jerry confirmed that there is still a snow emergency in effect. Gayle will follow up with the police.

Minutes: Alex motioned and Anne seconded that the October minutes be accepted as written. Passed.
Alex motioned and Kim seconded that the November minutes be accepted as written. Passed.

Audience issues: Fred Isaacs of SEPAC will turn in expenses to Gayle. Talked about a sibling group forming here, but noted that the funded one in Waltham folded due to low participation. The January SEPAC meeting is on basic rights, and will be held at the Chenery Middle School in Belmont (2d Wednesday of the month).

Correspondence:
Carol mentioned contact with a person in Concord interested in information about how to make a bike trail accessible; what types of surfaces, etc. George gave him ADA info. Bob discussed different kinds of accessible trails and the need to consider the trail’s purpose as well as the needs of the clientele.

Chair’s report:
George had sent out information about Chapter 40 laws ahead of the meeting, clarifying legal issues about the WCOD and its powers, etc. There was a discussion about ticketing in private lots, van access spots, and legal loopholes.

Gayle reported that Arturo DeLucca’s appointment letter and Bob Hall’s reappointment letter had been sent to Mr. Driscoll that day. Kim should send her letter to Mike Driscoll, and to Gayle. These are November 2007 appointments. Fred Isaacs is interested in an appointment to the commissioner’s spot for a parent or guardian of a child with a disability, when Andrea Greenwood’s term expires in 2008.

In response to a question from Bob, Gayle confirmed that WCOD commissioners are indemnified on the MIIA insurance policy.

Break 7:58 – 8:15 Thank you for the food!

Gayle reported a fund balance of $121,961.92, and noted that community access training in Arlington had been paid for. Alex moved and Bob seconded that we accept the treasurer’s report. Passed.

Arturo asked about what the money WCOD has is used for, and George and others ran through some of the projects or items it has funded, following under the category of providing support to groups or institutions which serve those with disabilities, such as SEPAC, equipment for closed captioning at the Cable Studio, assistive technology at the public library, writing, printing and distributing the Dining Guide, etc.

We had a discussion about the status of the closed captioning, and the desire to get the Town Council meetings covered. There is a strong desire to move ahead.

Discussion of Special Education as agenda item in January. and whether we are prepared to move forward with this. George had requested questions from WCOD commissioners ahead of time. Fred Isaacs informed us that the SEPAC meeting in February was going to involve inviting the school committee, as SEPAC is supposed to be an advising body to the School Committee on matters pertaining to special education. Consensus was that a January WCOD meeting with the part of the Public School administration responsible for special ed might be a good lead in to the February SEPAC meeting.
Marilyn Devaney arrived.
Fred continued. The committee which evaluated programs in other schools just reported back. There is talk about how to save on transportation costs, and the autism committee has to report. Kim asked some questions about the basic philosophy of inclusion programs, and curiosity about the follow up on Understanding Our Differences program; on how disability awareness was being brought into the classrooms and the curricula. It was agreed that these were good questions to bring to the table next month.

9:03 Anne made a motion to adjourn; Alex seconded it. Passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Andrea Greenwood