HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission on Disability Minutes 12 13 2011_201402061156050540 1
Nantucket Commission on Disability
Minutes
Open Session
Tuesday December 13, 2011
Murray Room at the Founder’s Building
Present: Mickey Rowland, Jeanette Topham, Whitey Willauer, Nancy Rezendes, Georgia Snell, Ellen
Braginton-Smith and Brenda McDonough
Absent: Billie Olsen
Guests: Pam Meriam
Called to Order: 3:37 p.m.
Agenda: Mr. Rowland stated, by unanimous consent we are adopting the agenda.
Minutes: November 8, 2011: Ms. Topham motioned to approve the minutes, which Ms. Snell
seconded, and all the remaining present Commission members voted in favor of this
motion.
November 8, 2011 Executive Session: Ms. Topham motioned to approve the minutes
for executive session, which Ms. Snell seconded, and all the remaining present
Commission members voted in favor of this motion.
Topics: 3:40 p.m.
3:41 p.m. Mr. Willauer arrived.
Accessible Taxis and Tours:
Ms. McDonough and Mr. Rowland relayed to the Commission that we were suppose to
meet with Jon St. Laurent on December 5 along with Pam Meriam, Rachel Chretian, and
Linda Roberts but had to cancel that day because some of the meeting participants were
unable to attend. This meeting was rescheduled on December 12. However, everyone
except Mr. St. Laurent was there. Ms. McDonough contacted Tonya, a driver for
Autopscot Taxi, and was told that Mr. St. Laurent was unable to be there. Mr. St. Laurent
did not contact Ms. McDonough regarding missing the meeting. She will try to reschedule
after the New Year.
If the Commission feels that we need to file a complaint against Autopscot Taxi service,
we decided that we would meet first as a Commission to discuss the complaint before
filing it.
Ms. Meriam explained Our Island Home’s policy when transporting patients. Ms. Meriam
was wondering if Paula Leary from the NRTA would be willing to transport OIH patients
on weekends and evenings.
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Mr. Rowland explained that there is a PARA Transit service available when the shuttle
service is operating from May to October, but you have to be eligible for this service and
make an advance appointment for service.
There is accessible transportation five days a week and we believe that Elder Service
operates this. The Commission members discussed inviting Paula Leary and Sherry Hunt
from Elder Services to one of our meetings to discuss what services are available for the
elderly and the disabled residents and visitors.
Other Business: Ms. McDonough reminded the Commission that Patti Roggaveen will be at the Salt Marsh
center to discuss what residents would like to see at the Dreamland Theater.
The owner of the new music center on 56 Center Street has plans to renovate the building
to accommodate music center’s needs. The architect plans to file a variance application
with the Architectural Access Board, seeking relief from providing an accessible front
entrance. There is an existing double leaf, interior French door, which when in the open
position provides 32-inch clear width. They would like to keep these doors, which do not
comply with the access code, so they will also seek relief from providing a single door
with a 32-inch clear width.
This building will have two fully accessible entrances, elevator access to the three public
floors of the building.
Ms. Snell motioned for our Commission to support this variance request, which
Ms.Topham seconded, and all the remaining Commission members voted in favor of this
motion.
4:20 p.m. Mr. Willauer left the meeting. Pam Meriam left the meeting.
Executive Session:
Ms. Rezendes motioned to go into executive session to discuss the parking permit
applications, and not to return to the open meeting once the executive session is adjourned,
which Ms. Snell seconded, and Mr. Rowland, Ms. Topham, Ms. Braginton-Smith, Ms. Snell,
and Ms. Rezendes voted in favor of this motion.
Submitted by:
Brenda McDonough
Facilitator