MASHPEE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMMITTEE MINUTES OF JULY 12, 2012
MASHPEE TOWN HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM 2
Present: Robert Wooldridge, Beverly Wooldridge, Charles Maintanis, Mert Sapers, Michele Brady, and Marilyn Farren.
Absent: Patricia Parolski and Kathleen Moore. Selectman Carol Sherman was not able to attend due to other commitments.
Called to Order
Meeting Called to Order by Chairman Wooldridge at 2:09 p.m.
Review and Approve Minutes of May 10, 2012
Mert Sapers moved to accept the minutes of May 10, 2012. Beverly Wooldridge seconded the motion. All in favor.
Swear In Members for the FY 2013 Term
All members present signed the appointment book for the Town Clerk’s office.
Reorganize Committee for the New Term
After some discussion, Bob Wooldridge indicated that he was interested in serving as Chairman. Charlie Maintanis moved to nominate the existing officers. Mert Sapers seconded. All in favor. Marilyn Farren indicated that she would continue doing the minutes.
Recap the Introduction of the Mobi-Mat and Beach Wheelchair at South Cape Beach
Bob Wooldridge mentioned that the dedication for the Mobi-Mat on Wednesday, June 20, went very well. Along with members of the A.D.A. Committee, four Selectmen were present along with the Recreation Director, Gus Frederick, and the Program Supervisor, Heidi McLaughlin, and C.O.R.D. The D.P.W. Director was also present during the dedication. Gus obtained a new beach wheelchair with flotation devices that can go into the water which was donated by S.M.I.L.E.MASS. The D.P.W. crew built a shed at South Cape Beach which will be used to store the new wheelchair along with Lifeguard equipment. The chair will be available near the lifeguard stand and people can access it by asking the lifeguards. Michele Brady suggested that we advertise it on the web page. Bob thanked everyone for their help.
Update Efforts to Provide Full and Equal Access on Buses Used for Day Trips Off-Cape
Bob W. indicated that he had contact with different disability committees on the Cape and encouraged them to get in touch with their local Council on Aging Departments and Chambers of Commerce. He said that there was quite a bit of interest in this topic of accessible buses. They want to make this into a local tourism issue for people on Cape and people coming down to the Cape. He was in the process of compiling a list of different groups that advertise tours (up to about sixty-five organizations). Local travel agencies have been in touch with people around New England that specialize in meeting the need for accessible buses. The aim is to have a big conference mid-September and to have presentations from bus companies and tour groups. Bob asked M.O.D. how they enforce the regulations and also has been in
touch with the State Department of Transportation. There has been no answer from their lawyers.
C.O.R.D. is very interested and the C.O.A. groups which they are calling C.O.A.S.T. – (Council on Aging Standing Together). They meet monthly and this is an active item on their agenda. The situation and problem is becoming recognized. Bev mentioned that every bus has a ramp in Hawaii and the sidewalks have a crossing. Michele Brady commented that they need to enforce the law. Community Connections have buses or vans that follow the regular bus routes.
Bob said that there are a number of small outfits that provide wheel chair vans. Jim Long checked with rapid transit and they use the van outfits who are affiliated with C.A.R.T. The problem is elevated where people are looking at it and talking about it. Charlie M. commented that it is a transportation situation which is separate from A.A.B. Bob said that once that Chamber of Commerce and C.O.A. Departments are involved, it will help!
Discuss Progress Toward Developing an Accessibility Brochure for Mashpee Similar to One Produced in Eastham (PACE)
This agenda item was put on hold until Selectman Carol Sherman is present since she was looking into this.
Community Monitoring Training in Harwich
Bob indicated that this training was held in June, however, there will be more training coming up in the Fall.
Discuss Possible Solution for Placement of a Drive-Up Mail Drop
Members discussed possible solutions for the placement of a drive-up mail drop accessible from the driver’s side. Bob W. indicated that the post office is discouraging additional boxes. He said that we need to find another location. Joy Street (at South Cape Village) was suggested due to the fact that it is a one-way street. It was noted that there is a box near the Senior Center and one at Town Hall and one on Steeple Street before you get to the Library. The box at Town Hall is on the passenger side of a car. Charlie Maintanis commented that having more boxes is less labor intensive for the post office. Bob mentioned that the post master was going to do more checking and look for a snorkel extension. Michele Brady commented that the box in front of the post office could be
put on the corner and they can make it one way in to the parking lot and one way out. Charlie suggested a drive up service similar to the bank. Bob commented that may be a perfect solution.
Discuss Need for Closer Coordination with Human Services Department/Committee
Bob W. commented that he discovered through his recent interest in Sight Loss Services that the Town’s Human Services Department plays an important role in providing services to disabled residents. He obtained a copy of an agreement that Human Services has with Sight Loss Services, Inc. of Cape Cod and the Islands who receives $20,000 a year from them. Sight Loss Services provides for self-help support groups, information and referral, outreach, home rehabilitations skills, aids and appliances outlet and friendly visiting. Bob also viewed the Human Services web site which lists the Committee members. There is information on the web page for Individuals With Disabilities and links to a number of organizations such as C.O.R.D., Community Connections, Sight Loss Services, etc.
Bob indicated that he sent an e-mail to the Director of Human Services, Gail Wilson, inviting her and members of the Human Services Committee to attend an A.D.A. Committee meeting. There has been no reply yet.
Michele Brady commented that Sight Loss Services is a non-profit group and every Town on the Cape has signed up to give them money. It is an advocacy of people helping themselves. Cynthia Stead is the Executive Director.
Invitation to Cookout
C.O.R.D. is inviting everyone to a cookout at Camp Lyndon on Saturday, August 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be swimming, boating, etc. R.S.V.P. is required.
Archives Parking Lot
Bob asked if anyone knew what was happening at the archives parking lot. Charlie mentioned that the parking lot is for use by the church and the archives. Bob commented that it is not wheel chair friendly. Charlie commented that Catherine Laurent is working on that and that there will be renovations at the Archives. There is a ramp leading to the Archives which is fine until you get to the top. The church has a ramp on the side. Bob indicated that the path to the school house has flag stones which cause problems.
Seven-Year Plan Projects Having A.D.A. Implications
Bob indicated that he sent an e-mail to the Harbormaster, Stephen Mone, regarding plans for the boat ramps, and he has not heard back from him. The Town Manager and the Selectmen are not enthused about it. Bob commented that even if they do not do the boat ramps, they need to fix the parking lots.
Charlie Maintanis said that it fits into the seven-year plan. Bob thought it would fall under the Recreation provision of the Community Preservation Act and he was told “no”. He said that he would like to find out where it falls.
Regarding the door issues at the school, the Quashnet was fixed. It was noted that we need to revisit the emergency access area for refuge. Charlie indicated that the yearly inspection is coming up and it will be on the radar.
There is a new snack shack being built between the schools, and they will be looking at that for accessibility.
Michele Brady indicated that the students that have special problems are on the first floor not too far from the exit which would used by anyone that has difficulty with an emergency situation.
There was discussion about identifying students that may have problems with snow and what locations need to be considered and given to D.P.W. and the Fire Department for priorities for opening up their roads.
Adjourn
Mert Sapers moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:24 p.m.
Motion Seconded by Michele Brady.
Vote: 6-0
All in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Marilyn Farren, A.D.A. Committee Member
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