PUBLIC ACCESS COMMITTEE OF EASTHAM
November 3, 2009
Present: Helen Derman, Peggy Kern, David Kern, Grady Scholl, Jeanette Marcucci
Town Officials: Frank Defelice, ADA Coordinator/Building Inspector; Mark Powers, Recreation/Beaches
Friend of PACE: Lori Hovenstine CORD: Alison Kirwin, Outreach and Systems Advocate
Aimee Eckman, Liaison to the Board of Selectmen and Co-Chair Richard Adelman were absent due to illness. Note: According to the Town website: “…one member of said commission shall be either an elected or appointed official of that city or town.” Grady will confirm with Sheila that Aimee Eckman is a member of PACE.
CORRESPONDENCE: Grady got permission to add the Town E-mail address to P.A.C.E. stationery (admin2@eastham-ma.gov). PACE mail to that address will be forwarded to Grady’s personal E-mail address.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER: Grady presented a one-page flyer of the revised HP parking & signage regs for the Chamber of Commerce newsletter and for distribution to businesses in Town. She will incorporate the suggestions of adding a title and, separately, writing an introductory paragraph before Helen sends it to the Chamber for publication. The pictures that Grady added greatly enhance the written information.
TOWN PROJECTS: Grady spoke to/sent a letter to the manager of Tedeschi’s re: the propane tank cage that is on the HP space markings. She included the info on the parking regs. Frank will check on this. Grady will follow up also; if no action is taken a letter will be sent to the owner of the property. Frank reported that the upstairs part of Arturo’s may become office space rather than living quarters. He will follow up with Mac’s Seafood re: the ramp at the front entrance that was supposed to be done this summer. New sidewalks on the east side of Brackett Road in front of Village Green are going in today. The difficulty of getting to the bus stops on Route 6 (across from Dunkin’ Donuts and in front of the fence shop) was
discussed. There is only one crossing light to cover multiple street crossings. Messina’s manager, Jim Russo will receive a letter from P.A.C.E. thanking him for making the restaurant’s rest rooms HP-accessible.
VISITABILITY: After discussion, the consensus of PACE was to change all our “Visitability” references to “Universal Design”. UD encompasses all needs for easy access for all age groups and not just for the disabled. The term will need to be revised in the Town Resolution. PACE also needs to follow up with the Long-Range Planning Advisory Board to get UD into the next version of the Long-Range Plan.
Alison reported that CORD is developing a coalition of architects, builders, other interested people from the Cape and off-Cape to get a legislative effort going to promote UD in the beginning stages of design. Grady will ask Aimee if she will be a part of this group. CORD will also enlist elected officials, i.e. Sarah Peake.
BEACHES/RECREATION: Mark Powers reported that the summer went well. There were some issues with bikes in HP spaces; “No Parking” signs were added, that helped to reduce the problem. There was good usage of the beach wheelchairs. After-hours use of the beach wheelchairs will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Mobimats are in the Capital Plan as of 11/2/09.
Grady wrote a letter dated 10/20/09 to the owner of Little Capistrano re: possibility of having a beach wheelchair available for rent. If there is no response over the winter, Grady will follow up in the spring.
LOWER CAPE OUTREACH COUNCIL:. Grady will speak on Universal Design at their December 11th meeting. Lori and Alison will attend.
NEW PACE MEMBERS: Helen contacted Nauset Newcomers by E-mail, no response yet. Jeanette read a brief article that will be in the next COA newsletter. To join PACE, Lori Hovenstine will fill out the Volunteer form and submit it for Board of Selectmen review.
Alison will find out/notify us when the State will hold the next Community Monitoring Program. Lori expressed interest in becoming a Community Monitor.
ADA 20 YEARS LATER: Alison attended the 10/23/09 meeting and gave a brief report. Topics: Hearing vs Understanding, Emergency Preparedness, Disability Awareness, Disability Law, Access – What It It/Isn’t, ADA Updates.
These Minutes were approved electronically on November 16, 2009.
NEXT MEETING – WEDNESDAY, January 20, 2010 at 1:00 PM in the Large Meeting Room.
Respectfully Submitted,
Helen Derman, Secretary
| 
