HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission on Disability Minutes 03 05 2008_201402061145273468
Nantucket Commission on Disability
Minutes
March 5, 2008
Present: Mickey Rowland, Dick Moran, Jeanette Topham, Ellen Braginton-Smith,
and David Gray, and Brenda McDonough
Absent: Linda Williams
The meeting opened with the members reviewing January’s minutes, which were
unanimously approved.
Topics:
• Minutes
The Commission members wanted to know the status of the gate located at
Children’s Beach. Mickey told the members that he would have a meeting
with Jimmy Manchester to discuss access at Children’s Beach and other areas
under the Parks and Recreation’s jurisdiction.
• Resignation
I informed the Commission members that Liz Winship resigned from our
Commission. Her schedule conflicted with our meeting dates and she felt that
she was ineffective as a Commission member.
• Sidewalks
The Commission members were wondering who has jurisdiction over the
sidewalks. Is the Town responsible for installing and maintaining them? I will
contact the DPW and get this information. If hedges or landscaping impede
sidewalk access, you can contact the DPW and report the sidewalk with the
impeded access.
• Election
The election of officers was postponed until our next meeting because some
Commission members were not present.
• Downtown Traffic Study
David discussed several details of the Planning Board’s Downtown Traffic
Study:
The group suggested that the Town create a pedestrian walkway along the
harbor from Broad Street to Children’s Beach Park.
The study also discussed paving crosswalks and painting them.
• Executive Session
The Commission members discussed when it is necessary to go into Executive
Session from the information given in the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law.
“Exception One” for a governmental body to go into Executive Session states
that whenever discussing the “reputation, character, physical condition or
mental health rather than the professional competence” of a particular
individual is a reason to go into executive session. However, the individual
whom we are discussing has the right to be present. I will contact the District
Attorney’s office and find out what is the proper way of handling a meeting
when discussing the health of a permit holder.
Ellen asked if I could get copies of the Open Meeting Law for her and all the
members.
• Visitor’s Guide
I told the Commission members that our updated guide is now in the talented
hands of Bruce at Color Graphics for editing and once the editing is approved,
we should have the completed guides two weeks later. It was suggested that
the guides be available at the Steamship Authority and Hyline.
• Airport Parking
I told the Commission members that I spoke with Janine at the airport about
accommodating disabled and elderly passengers who may need special
assistance. Janine said that they may call in advance and the airport will make
sure that someone can assist them in whatever they may need: luggage
assistance, wheelchair assistance, traveling to and from their vehicles,
whatever they may need.
Mickey thought that the airport should have some kind of signage informing
the disabled public that this assistance is available.
Brenda McDonough,
Facilitator
GO SOX!!