PUBLIC ACCESS COMMITTEE OF EASTHAM
SEPTEMBER 25, 2007
Present: Richard Adelman, Peggy Kern, David Kern, Helen Derman, Grady Scholl, Don Olson, Jeanette Marcucci
CORRESPONDENCE/MEDIA ARTICLES: Many recent letters/articles were discussed:
1) Pennsylvania housing grants for the disabled.
2) Miami Project – lowering body temperature immediately to minimize permanent spinal cord injury.
3) Two articles on HP parking in Boston and abuse of HP parking plaques. No enforcement is happening in egregious examples of violations found by a reporter. Second was “Access Denied”, in “Boston Uncommon” Globe Magazine, written by Geoff Edgers. Twelve years ago and again in 9/07 he rode around the city in a wheelchair and found little change in accessibility. He noted that Bruce Bruneau, formerly from MOD, was discouraged, “I thought I could make a change when I started doing this. I was wrong.” Jeanette will contact Geoff to praise Bruce for the training of Community Monitors that has had a significant impact throughout the State.
4) E-mail from Harwich Disability Commission – another committee undergoing reorganization, Minutes from Neighborhood Watch, note from Bob Wooldridge, Mashpee re: PACE & Mashpee disability activities. Richard E-mailed Carla Burke of Harwich re: Provincetown’s booklet on accessibility/disability services. Carla also expressed interest in the outreach program that PACE is suggesting to CORD (see #7 below).
5) Article in Cape Codder with misinformation re: the Visitability Bylaw. Richard contacted them, but has not received a response yet.
6) Thank you note received from Eastham COA for PACE members’ donation in memory of our former member, Howard Carpenter.
7) Jeanette read letter to be sent to Mike Ferreira, copy to Sheila, thanking him for his efforts on Visitability Bylaw, and letter to CORD, copy to Jeffrey Dugan of MOD, re: establishing an outreach program for struggling disability committees.
8) David read letter to Mr. McShane re: a meeting to discuss Visitability in general and at Brackett Landing in particular. No response yet – Richard will make a follow-up call.
9) A 2007 list of PACE members, Friends of PACE, others who receive PACE Minutes were handed out. David had spoken to Allan Guilford at Windmill Weekend. He will be added to the Friends list & receive Minutes.
PACE BROCHURES: Richard will review the additions/deletions with Sheila and/or Mike F. and will request Mike’s help in getting new brochures printed by next spring. The Town has the brochure format on the computer. When changes are finalized, Richard will ask Lorraine/Maddy to update the computer model for the new printing.
AD HOC COMMITTEE ON VISITABILITY: David will set up an initial meeting in October on a Thursday. He will invite a rep from MOD, MAAB, and CORD. He will ask Bob Wooldridge to host it in Mashpee, a more central location.
BEACHES/MOBIMAT: Bob Wooldridge requested information on Mobimat. Mark Powers will get the particulars to Richard so they can be forwarded to Bob. No report from Mark Powers. Richard has been in touch with Ray Bianci, the engineer that will be consulted re: ideas for fixing the First Encounter ramp to eliminate the drop-off at the end. At Windmill Weekend Russ Sandblum asked about a motorized beach-accessible wheelchair. The Kerns’ daughter sent a picture of one that Peggy will forward to Russ.
WINDMILL WEEKEND: PACE noted less people on the Green in general and less interest in PACE booth this year. It was very hot on Saturday. The canopy was difficult to put up/take down and required more than 2 people. Since we had to take down the canopy to avoid it being stolen again, the booth was not set up again for Sunday. Discussion followed about next year’s participation. We will down-size to one smaller table (Helen has a light-weight one), and will use a beach/patio umbrella. The volume of handout materials will be reduced to a few examples and we will take names and addresses of people who want pamphlets, etc. mailed to them. Grady will design a banner that will attract more people to the booth. Peggy noted that visitors were particularly
interested in Visitability and the ADA booklets on rules this year. And the age statistics for Eastham always draw attention and will be repeated.
TOWN PROJECTS: Frank and Richard met Ms. LaPiana who promised to do a curb-cut to afford access to the stores in her plaza. Richard will send a letter thanking her for agreeing to do this and giving her an expected date of completion. Lobster Shanty – minimal attempt made to put up HP sign. Richard had sent letter with copy to Chief Hedlund. Richard will now ask Chief Hedlund to follow up before owners leave for the winter. HP Accessible Playground: Still on hold until construction is complete. Town and contractors are suing each other. Wiley Park Bridge/Trails: No report. Schoolhouse: No report.
Eastham Inn condos: Richard will request a viewing when an accessible condo is completed. Arturo’s: no elevator yet; Richard was told that they are waiting for a non-standard size elevator to arrive. Sea Dog: Multiple communications re: HP bathroom have gone unanswered. PACE Community Monitors will now attain the financial information needed from Town records and then refer this matter to the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board using Community Monitor stationery.
HEARING ASSIST at Small Meetings: Richard will print out a few options from the internet and will ask Mike F.’s assist to present to Sheila.
PACE MEMBERSHIP: Three people on the Town’s Search Committee have been notified (by Helen) that PACE has two openings. A recent Cape Codder article did not mention PACE. Richard contacted Jennifer Bryant, who is too busy, and he has yet to reach Mark Agostino. Helen spoke to Frank Salomone of COA Friends who said to check back with him in 6 months. Helen also spoke to Eileen Morgan, Friend of PACE. She works in Boston and cannot come to meetings. At the next PACE meeting Don will give us 3 options of a flyer design to be placed around Town (library, Town Hall, COA, etc.) drawing attention to PACE and seeking potential members.
These Minutes were approved electronically on October 2, 2007.
NEXT MEETING – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2007 at 9:30 AM in the Large Meeting Room
Respectfully Submitted,
Helen Derman, Secretary
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