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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!!