Minutes of June 2, 2008 Commission On Disabilities meeting:
Members Present: Rob Loud, Jim Spindler, Adeline Naiman, Debbie Dorsey, and Anita Scheipers.
Also present: Peter Von Mertens, Christina Brown
Meeting convened at 11:00 am.
Discussion and Action Items:
1) Anita updated the Commission as to the recent decision that the School and the Town will not be moving ahead with the Smith School railing project as previously announced, owing to the high cost of the most recent $19,000+/- quote obtained by the school administration - which included design and materials that meet ADA standards. It appears the only way to move the project forward now is to apply for the funds through the FY10 capital projects cycle. The funds, if approved, would not be available until July 2009.
It was asked if we could instead request that the existing fence surrounding the playground simply be extended to be immediately adjacent to the walkway so that individuals might hold onto the rail to assist themselves as they walk along the walkway. Also again discussed was the suggestion that the voting location be moved to the Brooks field house.
The commission authorized Debbie to contact the school administration to continue discussion on this issue., and to report back at the next meeting.
2) Peter Von Mertens, a member of the Lincoln Foundation, met with the Commission to explain the actions of the Housing “Troika” - a group comprising members of the Housing Commission, the Housing Trust and the Lincoln Foundation established for the purposes of investigating and furthering the development of residential group housing for the mentally handicapped. Peter explained there is one developer in town who has purchased a home with the intent to provide housing to four men who are under the care of the Mass. Department on Mental Retardation. The Troika hopes to partner with this developer and provide some degree of funding. This could be a mechanism to establish deed restrictions which would maintain the group housing
use of the property for a definite period of time. Christina Brown asked what efforts have been made to contact local agencies such as the Central Mass. Association of Retarded Citizens (CMARC). Peter explained that the Troika is looking to establish another similar project in town and is open to meeting with any such agencies. Two non-profit agencies are interested. The Troika is also seeking feedback from the community on this potential endeavor. A public meeting has been planned for Thursday June 12, 2008 at 7:30 pm in the Donaldson Room of the Town Offices. Peter asked the Commission to support the Troika’s endeavor. The Commission agreed to assist Peter in encouraging public attendance at this session and suggested town organizations and individuals that should be invited to the meeting. No specific vote of support for the Troika efforts was taken at this time.
3) Minutes: The members present approved the minutes of the May 5, 2008 meeting. They will be placed on the web site and kept in hard-copy form in the Selectmen’s office.
4) Next Meeting: The next meeting was not set. Date will be determined and members will be notified.
5) Meeting was adjourned at 12:45 p.m.
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