PUBLIC ACCESS COMMITTEE OF EASTHAM
APRIL 10, 2007 & Continued on APRIL 17, 2007
April 10, 2007
Present: Richard Adelman, Peggy Kern, David Kern, Helen Derman, Don Olson, Grady Scholl
Frank DeFelice, ADA Coordinator/AAB Rep;
Mark Powers, Recreation & Beaches Dept
Mike Ferreira, Assistant Town Administrator;
Glen Collins, Conservation Commission & Open Space Committee;
Dave Schropfer, PACE’s liaison to Selectmen;
Henry Lind, Dept. of Natural Resources;
Jennifer Bryant, Parents’ group for Elementary School Accessible Playground
April 17, 2007
Present: Richard Adelman, Peggy Kern, David Kern, Don Olson, Helen Derman, Frank DeFelice
Glen Collins and Henry Lind spoke on the BRIDGE AT WILEY PARK: The Open Space Committee has placed Article #25 on the warrant for Town Meeting asking for $50,000 of Community Preservation Funds to build the bridge. If passed, the project will go out to bid in August/September.
Dave Kern expressed PACE concern that plans and a timetable is in place for making the trails to and from the bridge accessible. Glen and Henry showed us the plans for trails connecting Wiley Park to the Nickerson property and Cottontail Acres. Dave S. explained that there is an $180,000 Open Space Management Fund for trail repair/maintenance but the money currently can only be accessed through Town Meeting articles. Also on this year’s warrant is Article # 31 which would allow Selectmen to release part of this Fund between Town Meetings. If #31 passes TM, a resolution to the Town Administrator can then be submitted requesting funds for accessible trail development at Wiley Park.
Dave S. asked PACE for support of these two Articles at TM. Dave K. made a motion to support both articles. Motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Richard will speak in favor of Article #25 and Article #31 at Town Meeting. On 4/17/07 David K. spoke to Henry Lind re: the above-mentioned resolution. Henry will prepare it and PACE will support it, if Article #31 is approved.
Jennifer Bryant spoke on the ACCESSIBLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND that a Parents group has researched, planned, and raised funds for. The design was done with O’Brien & Sons who specialize in accessible playgrounds. The surface will be “recycled rubber mulch”. Article #20 on the warrant is asking for $60,000 of Community Preservation Funds; parents have raised $25,000. PACE voted unanimously to support Article #20, and Grady Scholl will speak in favor of it at Town Meeting.
PACE was impressed with the initiative, enthusiasm, thought, and perseverance of Jennifer and the Parents group took in planning this accessible playground. Richard will ask her to attend PACE meetings as a Friend of PACE.
BEACHES: Mobimats will be ordered. HP parking at the various town beaches was discussed, esp. Cooks Brook and First Encounter. Richard asked about the possibility of more HP spaces at First Encounter. Mark will consider making half of the first row of spaces HP spots. There will be a HP portapotty at Bea’s River this year.
Dave K. asked Mark how the public is made aware that the Rec. Dept. makes provisions for disabled kids to participate in Town programs. Mark addresses this on a case-by-case basis depending on the degree and nature of disability.
Beach Wheelchairs are the “highlight of the Rec. Dept.” It worked well last year having the chairs available at Cooks Brook and First Encounter.
Howard Sandler asked about the HP parking space that used to be marked at Boat Meadow. Richard will speak to Mark Powers to have it replaced.
Frank reported on TOWN PROJECTS: Beach Break was bought by Cistero brothers (Arturo’s). They are applying for a variance to install a platform lift for wheelchair/HP access. Frank requested a letter from PACE in support of the variance. Peggy made a motion that PACE support the variance request. Motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Richard will write the letter to Tom Hopkins of the AAB. The bathrooms will be made accessible; doors need lever handles.
Brackett Road development: David asked about the Developer’s promise in 2005 to incorporate Visitability Standards for all the buildings in the development. Were those standards actually incorporated into the plans? Mike F. researched the Zoning Board Minutes to find Dave K’s May 2005 presentation on Visitability and what was agreed to by the architect/developer/Zoning Board. He forwarded this information to Richard. PACE was pleased to hear Frank say that he will not issue more CO’s until we confirm that Visitability Standard was implemented. Frank agrees that Visitability should be part of all new construction in town including at least one entry that is accessible by ramp or grading of the ground up to the entry. Frank will bring the
Brackett Road developer and/or architect to PACE’s
May 8th meeting. Richard will contact the AAB to clarify the ADA requirements for 40B housing.
Richard will contact Howard Sandler of the Planning Board re: Visitability for the townhouses planned at the Eastham Inn. Richard will call MOD to find out the differences in requirements for accessibility in townhouses vs. condos. Frank will ask the contractor to meet with PACE to acquaint him with Visitability/ADA requirements.
David S. suggested that PACE submit a petition article for 2008 TM to have the town of Eastham adopt Visitability Standards for all new construction.
David K. stressed that PACE needs to keep educating the various Boards (especially Planning & Zoning), that approve building plans, re: accessibility and Visitability. He made copies of a recent commentary article in the Cape Cod Times, written by a Mashpee resident, that strongly supported Visitability. David also copied the Selectmen’s resolution of 2005 that stated their support of Visitability. Both documents will be given to Selectmen, asking them to familiarize themselves with these guidelines. The Zoning and Planning Boards will also receive copies of the newspaper article. Don suggested an article in the Cape Codder re:Visitability to educate the general public.
The Schoolhouse bathroom will be fully accessible with turn-around room for a wheelchair. Don will do a site visit
Frank doesn’t have plans from the COA yet..
Richard asked Frank how PACE could get notified of new building projects as soon as they come up. Frank agreed to add PACE to the list of Boards/Committees that a contractor has to meet with before his plans are fully approved. David K. will develop an information packet and a checklist of ADA requirements//Visitability guidelines, and a form for giving feedback to the contractor/developer who meets with PACE. Copies will be kept by PACE and Frank DeFelice.
Frank gave PACE a Facilities Manager’s magazine that included an article about revised ADA requirements. The revisions are awaiting Justice Department approval.
At the April 10th meeting, Mike F. and Dave S. thanked PACE for inviting them to our meeting. PACE thanked them both for coming and for their input at the meeting. PACE’s mission of addressing accessibility issues from the onset of building projects in town was emphasized. With their help, we look forward to more timely communication with town officials/committees regarding our area of expertise.
HEARING ASSIST at Meetings: Richard is researching a small portable system. Bill Boyd of NW also has gathered some info that he will give to Richard.
Richard will speak to Mike F. to confirm the remote CART reporter for Town Meeting and also to request a drop-off area close to the High School doors. He will also request again that the Selectmen wear lapel mikes; they often don’t hold the mikes close enough to be heard by the hearing-impaired in the audience.
OTHER DISABILITY COMMITTEES: From reading PACE’s 1/30/07 Minutes, Carla Burke of Harwich communicated similar concerns re: working with Town officials/Boards. She also expressed interest in helping organize a Lower Cape networking meeting which Richard and Jon Gilmore of Orleans had discussed at PACE’s 1/30/07 meeting.
David K. reported that Truro’s Committee is active again. They had 11 people attend a meeting recently. David encouraged Truro to work with Wellfleet to become active again as well.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:
At Chief Hedlund’s request, Jeanette Marcucci will add more information to her previous submission for
the info sheet on Emergency Preparedness.
WINDMILL WEEKEND HP SPACES: The need for a HP drop-off area was discussed and will be requested of the Police Dept. for 2007.
BROCHURES & RE-SURVEYING THE TOWN: After discussion, it was decided that a full re-survey of town businesses/public buildings is not necessary, but Richard asked all of us to check parking areas around town for appropriate numbers of HP spaces, proper signage, and pavement markings.
QUESTIONNAIRES: Peggy handed out the results of the questionnaires that were sent with the COA and Forum newsletters, are available at the COA and Library, and were filled out at the Forum Annual meeting and at the flu clinic in the fall. 2000 questionnaires were distributed; 90-100 were returned. We discussed several of the comments/suggestions that were submitted. At future meetings Peggy will report on follow-up that she will do, if contact information was included on the form.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM, MAY 1st: Richard will do the presentation. Grady took pictures of projects that PACE has impacted. Her daughter Nora will do a power-point program.
Bill Boyd of NW, Helen, and Grady are arranging for the equipment that we need to project the pictures. Helen sent an outline of PACE areas of activity (Direct Service, Accessibility, & Education) and a list of Town projects to Grady and Richard for planning the presentation. PACE members will attend the presentation to support Richard and to network with NW re: common concerns.
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These Minutes were approved electronically on April 22, 2007.
NEXT MEETING – TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2007 at 9:30 AM in the Large Meeting Room
Respectfully Submitted,
Helen Derman, Secretary
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