PUBLIC ACCESS COMMITTEE OF EASTHAM
JUNE 12, 2007
Present: Richard Adelman, Peggy Kern, David Kern, Helen Derman, Jeanette Marcucci, Grady Scholl, Don Olson
Frank DeFelice, ADA Coordinator/AAB Rep, Christine Mickle, Recreation & Beaches, Mike Ferreira, Assistant Town Administrator
Guests: Howard Sandler, Chairman of the Planning Board, Mark Agostino, Owner/Builder of Eastham Inn Townhouses
VISITABILITY: Howard Sandler reported that the Planning Board totally agrees with the principle of Visitability. The Planning Board will give a synopsis of Visitability to every planner/builder of new construction and renovations. A lawyer on the Planning Board said that they cannot create a bylaw requiring Visitability because the building code is legislated at the State level.
David stated his understanding that the AAB has authority to amend the building code without further legislation. To this end he asked and was given PACE’s approval to form an ad hoc committee to begin a letter-writing campaign to incorporate Visitability in the State building code. The committee will include, David, Richard, and Grady from PACE, Bob Wooldridge from Mashpee, and representatives from other Lower Cape Disability Committees. Helen will contact Harwich, Chatham, and Orleans and Richard will contact Provincetown, Wellfleet, and Truro to acquire representatives from those towns.
Mike reported that he is working on a one-page summary on Visitability to present to builders when they apply for a building permit. He emphasized that Visitability is voluntary, but his summary shows the Town’s commitment to include Visitability features in all new construction and renovations. The Planning Board has reviewed the draft. Frank mentioned that when builders come for a permit they already have their costs figured. They will have to readjust their figures to include Visitability features, even if those costs are minimal. To help this situation, Mike is developing a policy for the Town that will include Visitability for private building projects. (The Selectmen’s Resolution of 2005 supporting Visitability only covers 40B developments.) Once Sheila V.
has approved the drafts of both documents, Mike will have PACE review them before they are finalized. The policy will be presented to the Selectmen for their support. Mike complimented PACE on increasing community awareness, education, and implementation of Visitability.
Grady reported on her meeting with Mike Cole of the Planning Board/Cape Associates re: Visitability. He was very receptive to it, sees no problem in presenting it to clients, and felt that most of the builders in his association would support it as well. He recognizes that Visitability is a selling point for our area with an aging population and aging visitors.
Jeanette sent a thank-you note to Norah Scholl for helping with PACE’s Visitability packet and power-point program.
TOWN PROJECTS: Arturo’s is putting in an elevator so the letter supporting a variance for a platform lift is no longer necessary.
Brackett Road development: 4 permits are awaiting approval. Selectmen’s 2005 resolution on Visitability made minimal demands on Brackett Landing, i.e. only two units will have Visitability. David requested another meeting with the developer, Mr. McShane to educate him further re: the benefits and selling points of incorporating Visitability in all units of the development. Frank suggested that a money figure for the added costs of adding Visitability features inside and outside the units would help us to make our case with developers. PACE decided that 2 or 3 from our Committee would meet with builders/developers at their convenience rather than asking them to attend a PACE meeting on a Tuesday morning. Frank, Grady, Richard, and David will meet with Mr. McShane.
Schoolhouse: The builder had a meeting on May 30th re: a variance for one HP bathroom, which was approved. The two ramps into the building are in process. Chris Thompson is the Contractor. Tom Lennox from the Historical Society is overseeing the project.
Peggy will check with Chief Hedlund again re: sidewalk /crosswalk from CC5 Bank to Village Green – part of Brackett Landing. Supposed to be finished by summer, but has not been started yet.
Eastham Inn Townhouses: Mark Agostino’s plans have Planning Board approval; Fire Dept. now reviewing. He plans 14 townhouses. Pre-buyers will have choice of 2 upstairs bedrooms or one up and one downstairs. First floor bedroom units will have accessible bathrooms/walk-in showers. Landscaping will be graded for accessible entry to all units. All common areas (i.e. the pool, walkways) will be wheelchair accessible. Mark hadn’t heard of PACE or Visitability but was very receptive to incorporating Visitability features in all 14 units. He received PACE’s packet of information on Visitability. Mark asked whether making some units accessible would trigger having to make all units accessible. Richard will research this question and will contact
Mark with an answer. (774-216-9887)
Sea Dog put in a patio. Status of HP-accessible bathroom still unknown.
Richard reported on the latest statistics for Eastham: Total population: 5302. Over 85-493, over 75-1636.
BEACHES: Christine reported that the orientation for Beach Attendants will be Tuesday, July 10th at 4PM at First Encounter. Don will give out the PACE information and brochures (accessible businesses/services). Grady and Richard will also participate.
Mobimat for Cole Road expected in this week. PACE asked that the HP spaces and the ramps at First Encounter be placed next to each other rather than at either end of the parking lot as they presently are. Christine will check into this. Cooks Brook will have 4 feet between the ends of the logs where HP spaces are located.
Richard spoke to Ben Pearson at National Seashore. The side platform on the ramp will be in next week.
BROCHURES: More needed at Town Hall. Richard will take care of this.
HEARING ASSIST at Meetings: Richard gave Mike Ferreira printed information including cost of a portable sound system for small public meetings
CART at FALL TOWN MEETING: Richard will speak to Mike F. re: a remote CART for the Fall Town Meeting. A larger screen is also needed so that people in the back of the gym can read it. If Town Meeting returns to the auditorium, a large permanent drop-down screen would be ideal.
OTHER DISABILITY COMMITTEES & MEETINGS: Richard and Carla Burke of Harwich have communicated about a Lower Cape networking meeting. They are looking at fall dates.
Richard and David attended a CORD meeting on May 21st. Topics were Emergency Preparedness and community connections.
HP PARKING: HP space has been allocated and marked at RMV. COA is adding a HP space. Richard will send letters to the owners of Lobster Shanty and Nauset Ice Cream/Bike Shop/Thai Restaurant plaza (Ms. LaPiana) re: need for permanent HP spaces/signs and adequate accessibility to shops in the plaza. Chief Hedlund & Frank DeFelice will be copied on these letters.
BRIDGE AT WILEY PARK: Richard will clarify the status of the resolution that Henry Lind, Natural Resources was to submit to Selectmen requesting funds for accessible trail development at Wiley Park.
ACCESSIBLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND: Nothing new this month.
WINDMILL WEEKEND: Dates: Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9.
PACE POWER POINT PRESENTATION: Helen and Gary Derman added pictures and text to program. PACE reviewed the “slides” and approved the text. PACE will present this program to the COA Board of Directors on Thursday, June 21 at 10:15 AM at the Senior Center.
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These Minutes were approved electronically on June 15, 2007.
NEXT MEETING – TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2007 at 9:30 AM in the Large Meeting Room
Respectfully Submitted,
Helen Derman, Secretary
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