Public Access Committee of Eastham
General Meeting, October 17, 2012, Eastham Town Hall
Present: Lori Hovenstine, Chair
Jeanette Marcucci, Corresponding Secretary
Eileen Morgan
Frank DeFelice, Building Inspector, ADA Coordinator
Mark Powers, Parks and Recreation
The meeting was called to order by Lori at 1:07.
Lori announced the resignation of Helen Derman, Clerk, effective December 31, 2012. Helen has been on the Committee since July, 2002, and has been the Clerk since January, 2006. Eileen Morgan will be taking on this position.
OLD BUSINESS:
Jeannette sent a letter of thanks to the Kerns for their contributions and participation at the Windmill Weekend, where PACE had a presence for the first time in a number of years
. Helen also sent a note of thanks to Lisa DaLuz of CORD who worked on Saturday at PACE’s table. Helen also added Ms. DaLuz to the Friends e-mail group.
It was announced that Jean McLaughlin, the person responsible for creating and maintaining the CC Disability Access Directory, is no longer in a position to do so. Lori noted that we will follow up at the next meeting with Helen to explore alternatives. Additionally, Lori will invite Grady Scholl to the next meeting, since she could be a potential resource with this matter. The potential for involving the Cape Chamber as well as individual Town Chambers and service and/or computer clubs at local high schools may be explored in the future.
Change in Town Policy and Procedures for Boards, Committees and Commissions: These were approved at the Board of Selectmen’s (BOS) meeting on 10/15/12. According to the Town’s charge to PACE, Committee members have an “(I)ndefinte” tenure, while the proposed language stated “….shall be appointed for three-year overlapping terms unless otherwise specified in the charge to that body”. Once the revised changes are posted on the Town’s web site, we will revisit the language used. (Note: the revisions are posted (10/17/12), and do not address tenure at all. There seems to be amendment to the Town Charter which speaks to tenure and this will have to be clarified.)
Jeannette reported that the Council on Aging will include in its upcoming newsletter information about the availability of Low Vision buttons made available from the Sight Loss Committee, as well as information on obtaining a ride to Town Hall for voting on November 6th. The information is also posted at the COA.
Lori and Frank reported on the “field trip” they did today. At a meeting with Neil Andres, head of the Department of Public Works (DPW), Neil informed Lori that a letter from PACE requesting 4 handicapped parking spaces at the Windmill Green and identifying where PACE would like to site the spaces, be sent to him. He also wanted BOS and Police Department input/approval on PACE’s request. Lori will write a letter identifying the spaces (two each on Depot and Samoset Roads to be convenient to the paved walkway), and will copy Aimee Eckmann (BOS liaison to PACE), Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator, and Frank DeFelice.
Lori and Frank also met with Bob Lewis, head of Maintenance at Nauset High School, and were shown recent renovations at the school which included accessible entries, Home Economics room, stage, and other areas. The single remaining issue is a curb cut, and an RFP will be published shortly. Once that is completed, PACE will present a Certificate of Appreciation to the school administration.
Frank asked the Post Office staffers if they could fix the HP sign at Village , and was referred to the owner. Frank will write to him.
Information regarding a “lift” which may be used at the former Beach Break restaurant has been provided to one of the new co-owners (Ms. Cohen) by Eileen.
Inspection of the accessible restroom at Local Break (owned by Mackenzie Gallant) has been postponed. Eileen will follow up.
Lori will follow up regarding the PACE Brochure reorganization with Mady Magill.
Mark Powers reported on beach access during the past summer. Less than 6 tickets were issued for parking in HP spaces. (The fines for these tickets are $150.) Generally, the summer went well, with good use of the beach wheelchairs. Cooks Brook beach, with a dearth of parking spaces, is often problematic, but experienced personnel remained on alert so there were less parking issues there. The annual Town auction, at which the “extra” beach wheelchair is expected to be sold, has been delayed, since the staffer who generally runs it is out. The chair was well-used this summer…it isn’t necessary to sign any waiver of any sort, and the chair is available first-come, first-served, no restrictions (other than to return it no later
than 3 to the beach attendant), and no fee. The town receives many requests for the chair to be used for beach weddings. Obtaining a water-accessible wheelchair is still a possibility, although P’town reported that the design can make it difficult to push.
NEW BUSINESS:
Lori enquired about establishing an annual request to Lillian Lamperti’s office to find out the names of new owners of businesses so as to visit them to acquaint them with PACE and the resources we could make available to them. May was thought to be a good time in the year. An annual schedule will be developed.
Lori introduced Tom Johnson, who until June was chair of the CPA. Tom noted that the CPA has $700+K available for Open Space, Historic Preservation, Affordable Housing and Recreation. With the newly expanded parameters regarding recreation, Tom noted that PACE might consider requesting funds to expand accessibility to one or more of the open spaces in Town. Considerable discussion ensued, followed by a consensus to follow up on the application process and to get ballpark estimates for creating access to recreational points of interest in Town, specifically Bee’s Beach (via a Pathmat) and the Roche property (via a blacktopped path). An Open Space Committee meeting will be held October 31 at 6 pm, and a CPA Committee meeting (for Q & A) will be held
November 8th at 5 pm. Lori and/or Eileen will go to one or both of these meetings.
Tom informed the Committee that Lisa Shaw notifies the various Town Committees of the due date for their Annual Reports. Jeannette continues to work on it.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 pm.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 14th at 1 pm.
(Follow-up….Lori will inspect Messina’s with Frank, send requested letter to Neil Andres, and contact Brady. Eileen will get info re mats from Mark, and investigate CPA application process. Jeanette will continue with Annual Report.)
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Morgan, Clerk (temporary), PACE
These minutes were approved on………………………, 2012.
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