HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-29Nantucket Commission on Disability
Minutes flZ
Open Session
Monday October 29, 2018 c
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Country Kitchen Room at Sherburne Commons
Present: Mickey Rowland, John Malloy, Jeanette Topham, Georgia Snell, Karenlynn Williams, a} Brenda
McDonough
Absent: Maribeth Maloney
Guests:
Call to Order: 3:42 p.m.
Agenda: Mr. Rowland stated, by unanimous consent we are adopting the agenda.
Note:
Minutes: 3:42 p.m.
Ms. Topham motioned to approve May 7, 2018 minutes, which Ms. Snell seconded and all the
present, eligible Commission members unanimously approved this motion.
Open Session: 3:44 p.m.
New Business:
Topics:
Old Business:
Public Comment:
Update: 3:44 p.m.
1. AAB complaint for post office door at 144 Pleasant Street. Resolved. Automatic door opener
installed and working.
2. Methodist Church accessible parking space requested.
3. There are 2 accessible parking spaces at Galley Beach.
4. There is 1 new accessible parking space at Dionis Beach.
5. The sidewalk adjacent to the Federal Street accessible parking space will have an accessible
surface by the end of June.
6. Tap Room/JC House will have a vertical lift
7. Applied for a MOD grant for $90,000 and the DPW will give an additional $17,000 for the
beach boardwalks, ramp, platforms, and benches.
8. Filed a complaint with the AAB against 125 Orange Street for their inaccessible lower level
of their building.
9. Ramps in huge demand this summer
10. Land Bank will build a new accessible playground on Hinsdale Road
11. Salt Marsh Center automatic door. Hold button for a longer time than normal and the door
will swing open 90 degrees and close more slowly. Needs new door.
12. Started lighting survey: Lights out at So. Water and Oak, Federal near Main, Center Street in
front of Hotel Pippa, Federal Street near Culinary Center
13. We now have Grievance Procedure for the town.
Other Business: 4:15 p.m.
• Ms. Williams will make a list of inaccessible public parking lots.
• Ms. Snell wondered if people could actually drive down Straight Wharf to pick-up
and drop-off Hy -Line passengers who have an ambulatory disability or recent
surgery ... Ms. Snell will write a letter to NIR and request this service.
• Ms. Topham suggested relocating the accessible parking space on Center Street
closer to American Seasons Restaurant. Mr. Rowland mentioned that he did not
want to lose this accessible parking space in this neighborhood and suggested to
leave the space where if currently is.
• It was mentioned that Academy Hill needs more accessible parking spaces. It is
extremely difficult negotiating the multiple stairs to the side entrance facing the
parking lot, which is located on the south side of the building. The other option if
you park in the parking lot is to walk to the front entrance, which is difficult for
any resident or visitor with an ambulatory concern. It was suggested to create more
accessible parking spaces on the north side of the building, which is presently just
open space. Mr. Rowland will look at this possibility and see if it is feasible to
create accessible parking spaces there.
• It was mentioned that Academy Hill residents have an emergency switch in each
of their apartments. When activated, a dim light illuminates outside their apartment
door, but it is not clear if the emergency switch is also connected to some other
emergency response system or person. Ms. McDonough will call Academy Hill
management and inquire about their protocol when an emergency switch is
activated in an apartment.
• Ms. Snell mentioned that the police department preforms wellness checks between
7 and 10 p.m.
• Ms. Topham reported that the hedges at 23 Prospect Street extend approximately
18 inches beyond their fence and encroaches on the walking path along that area of
Prospect Street. Ms. McDonough will report this to Traffic Safety.
• John Malloy is a member of the NRTA Advisory Board and spoke with Paula
Leary, Administrator for the NRTA, about PARA Transit service. The NRTA
shuttle service is presently operating several routes year-round and Mr. Malloy
told Ms. Leary that by law, the NRTA must provide PARA Transit service during
the same operating hours as the shuttle service. Because of Mr. Malloy's
conversation with Ms. Leary, the NRTA now provides PARA Transit service
during the operating hours of their shuttle service.
• Mr. Malloy visits the Athenaeum often. Mr. Malloy spoke with Rob McNeil,
Director of the DPW, Jason Bridges, Chairman of the Select Board, and Matt Fee,
member of the Select Board, about the inaccessible sidewalk in front of the
Athenaeum. He spoke about his options for the PARA Transit van drop-off areas
while visiting the Athenaeum (2 accessible spaces at the intersection of Federal
and India Streets, and 1 accessible space on Cambridge Street adjacent to St.
Mary's Church), which requires a commute from those parking spaces to the
elevator entrance of the Athenaeum. Mr. Malloy was hoping that the DPW could
make changes to the sidewalk sooner rather than later. The DPW plans to make
some temporary changes to the sidewalk outside the main entrance to the
Athenaeums so that the sidewalks have a smoother surface for safer travel within
several weeks of meeting with Mr. Malloy.
• Ms. Williams mentioned that the alley on the south side of the Dreamland Theater
needs lighting. People traverse this alley from Easy Street to South Water Street.
Ms. McDonough will contact Joe Hale, Director of the Nantucket Dreamland, and
request properly lighting this alley.
• It was mentioned that the lighting at the downtown Stop&Shop parking lot is poor.
Ms. McDonough will survey the lamps in the parking lot and contact the NIR to
replace or repair any lamps that are not illuminated.
• Mr. Malloy mentioned that both the Hy -line and SSA need better wheelchairs.
*Topics Not Anticipated 48 Hours in Advance of Meeting:
Adjournment: 5:00 p.m.
Ms. Topham motioned to adjourn Open Session, and enter into Executive Session:
G.L, c.30A, Sec. 21(a) Number 1 to review Disable Parking Permit Applications,
which reveal confidential information regarding the applicant's disability and health
concerns, and not return to Open Session, which Ms. Williams seconded, and Mr.
Rowland, Ms. Snell, Ms. Topham, Mr. Malloy, and Ms. Williams voted in favor of
this motion.
Submitted by:
Brenda McDonough, Facilitator