Dedham Commission on Disability Minutes - July 21, 2010 Commission Members Present: Commission Member Absent Guest: Amy Ashdon Vicky Berg (excused) Joan Connors Michelle Labadini Diane Daria (excused) Carol Ann Reaves Laurie Reisner (excused) Tricia Whitehouse Ken Cimeno Martha Brown The minutes of the June 2010 meeting were read and accepted with the following correction: Theresa Collins received the JoAnn Mucciaccio Commission on Disability Scholarship AGENDA ITEM: Treasurer’s Report There was no Treasurer's report. Discussion around availability of expected Treasurer reports for June and July. These reports are overdue. Tricia Whitehouse shared that Diane Daria was considering resigning her position on the commission. Pending letter of resignation, a position on the commission may be posted. A letter is to be drafted to Nancy Baker to inform her of recent Commission on Disability position changes due to June voting. AGENDA ITEM: Statewide ADA celebration 7/16/2010 The last week in July 2010 is the Americans with Disabilities Act 20th Anniversary Celebration. Jean Goldsberry was checking with other organizations in the area about scheduled activities. Jean was not present for follow-up. Dedham does not have any events planned for this celebration. Discussion on a future Americans with Disabilities Act Celebration event to raise public awareness of this Act and increase visibility of the Commission on Disability took place. When scheduling town events, inclusive language regarding disability must be posted on all meeting notices. Tricia Whitehouse to forward specific language in an email to all members for review. Discussion of the term ‘event”. A note will be sent to Nancy Baker asking for further clarification of the term ‘Event’. Discussion about future Dedham Square crosswalk. Concern over crosswalk surfacing. Will plastic laminate be used? Michelle Labadini to contact Paul Reynolds for further discussion with Dedham Square Circle. AGENDA ITEM: Unresolved Problems, continued Drainage pipe is impediment to wheel chair access from Station 250 to Legacy Place, When crossing in the crosswalk, the back of wheelchair catches on the drainage pipe. Past meeting minutes state: , “The set-back issues, the trough, the tactile strip, and the crosswalk behind the cinema will be repaired.” Discussion needed with Ken Cimeno who was not present. Michelle Labadini to follow-up with an email to DPW. AGENDA ITEM: Handicap Parking Patrol Laurie Reisner who supports this initiative is on vacation and excused from this meeting. This agenda item will be continued to the next meeting. AGENDA ITEM: Mission Statement Members to review current mission statement. AGENDA ITEM: Review of Open Space & Recreation Plan: Wigwam Pond Access through Central & Ice House Road. Question need to be answered about current easement and right of way. Discussion about access through the Tent For Rent parking lot. Boat launch discussed. Handicap parking space to access boat launch discussed. Sidewalk to boat launch discussed. LLBean may be underwriting improvements for access to promote fly fishing and other activities. Tricia Whitehouse shared that there is a Legend that occurs at Wigwam Pond: Legend says on a dark moonless nights, a ghostly Indian appears on the pond. Little Wigwam pond is behind Rustcraft Road. Discussion about overall access to the Big Wigwam pond. Amy Ashdon to check what is needed, if anything, to make Wigwam Pond accessible. Mention about a vernal pool on Stonyleigh. Town Forest runs between the North and South bound lanes of Route 128. Discussion about access to this forest. In the past is consisted of a walking path but current construction has affected access. Fairbanks Park: Height of handicap signs discussed. There is no path of travel to Jefferson Place and Station 250. Motherbrook: discussion – ongoing clean-up East Dedham post office – discussion – limited hours Disappointment expressed of Pour-In-Place that the Commission on Disability Funded ($4,000.00) for the Riverdale School. The purpose of the Pour-In-Place is to provide access for individuals with disabilities. The Pour-In-Place goes to the climbing. Accessibility to other site equipment was over wood chips. This poses an access problem. Discussion regarding access at Paul Park and Barnes Memorial Park playgrounds in regard to Pour-In-Place and wood chips. Further review of playground structures and current access is needed. Discussion about access to High School building through front doors. Current access requires wheel chair access through ramp on right. To access doorbell and access door requires that the path of travel is in front of six doors which all open out. Discussion about updating this mode of access. This is being looked into by Brian Lynch. Dolan Center: restroom work is completed and meets current specification. Concern about meeting taking place on 3rd floor that may not be accessible. There is not path of travel between middle & lower level which poses a traffic risk. There was discussion about painted cross-hatching. Warning sign may be needed. Doorbells to access the building at the lower & middle levels meet specification. Oakdale Square: A liaison relationship needs to be developed to make sure that curb-cuts are installed throughout the square. Additionally, an accessible path of travel to at least 1 bench with a back that is not over grass is needed at the memorial site. Carol Ann Reaves, Martha Brown, and Michelle Labadini to contact Paul Reynolds. Barnes Memorial Field access discussed. Concern over concession stand. It may have a step-up. Review of restrooms needed. Slope of blacktop may be excessive. Access to fields discussed. Barnes Memorial Park: A handicap parking space in front of the park is needed. No Dogs Allowed but Service Dogs Signs: Discussion about the number of signs left in stock. Do additional signs need to be ordered. Hargreaves Sign does a fantastic job creating these signs. Check for more signs and what budget is available for ordering more signs. Ken Cimeno not available for comment on this issue. Carol Ann Reaves reported that Handicap Parking signs were back up in Oakdale Square and in front of CVS in East Dedham. Thank you to DPW for getting these signs back up. Next meeting for the Commission on Disability scheduled for : September 22, 2010 7:15pm Emeritus Common Street Dedham, MA 02026 Respectfully submitted, Joan Connors |
