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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-21 r 2021 ti!-,R 31 Pti 1 : 1 Nantucket Commission on Disability Minutes Open Session Monday December 21, 2020 Due to the current State of Emergency in the Commonwealth due to the Covid-19 virus outbreak, and pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 Order Regarding Open Meeting Law, this meeting was conducted remotely by video conference via Zoom and the meeting will be aired at a later time on the Town's Government TV YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC- sgxA l fdoxteLNRA UHIxA" Present: Mickey Rowland, Jeanette Topham, Georgia Snell, Maribeth Maloney and Brenda McDonough. Absent: John Malloy Guests: Augie Chotkowski Call to Order: 3:37 p.m. Mr. Rowland read the "Script for Remotely Conducted Open Meetings" and all members present via Zoom responded affirmatively as Mr. Rowland called their names. Agenda: 3:48 Mr. Rowland stated, by unanimous consent we are adopting the agenda. Note: Minutes: 3:38 p.m. Mr. Roland motioned to approve August 7, 2020 minutes, which Ms. Snell seconded, and all the present, eligible Commission members unanimously approved this motion by roll call: Mr. Rowland- Aye Ms. Maloney- Aye Ms. Topham- Aye Ms. Snell- Aye Open Session: 3:40 p.m. New Business: "Topics: Detectable Warning Pads • Mr. Rowland was interested in the Commission's position on installing detectable warning pads at crosswalks and intersections on downtown sidewalks that are being replaced or repaired. Presently, there are no state regulations governing the installation of detectable warning pads. The DPW did install detectable warning pads on Easy Street and on Straight Wharf. However, as the town repairs and replaces more sidewalks and crosswalks in the core downtown district, the historic commissions would prefer not to install the warning pads because of the historical nature of our core downtown. Detectable warning pads have been installed on the bike paths. If the town received federal funds for restoring the downtown sidewalks then the federal regulations would require the town to install detectable warning pads. And if the town received funds from the Department of Transportation, then the town would be required to install the detectable warning pads. Mr. Rowland asked the Commissioners their position on installing detectable warning pads. The Commissioners noted that the warning pads are an added benefit for people with sight impairments but did not think that they were necessary in the downtown district. Traffic can be heavy, but people drive slowly through downtown. Whereas outside of downtown, the traffic speed increases dramatically and people with sight impairments would benefit from the town installing detectable warning pads outside the downtown district. The Commissioners supported the position that it is not necessary to install detectable warning pads in the historic downtown area but that the town should install them, regardless of who is funding the project. on all sidewalk intersections and crosswalks outside the downtown district. Old Business: None Public Comment: None Update: Academy Hill Accessible Parking Spaces • Mr. Rowland and Ms. McDonough had a Zoom meeting with Ken Beaugrand about the town installing much-needed additional accessible parking spaces for the Academy Hill residents. Mr. Beaugrand recently updated Mr. Rowland and Ms. McDonough on the status of this project and the following is copied from the e-mail that Mr. Beaugrand sent to Mr. Rowland and Ms. McDonough: We will be looking to develop a plan after consultation with Hallkeen that disturbs the least amount of the property while at the same time getting the expanded parking in the most efficient manner on the property. The Town will be retaining a surveyor to do an existing conditions base plan and then help create a plan for five legal handicap parking spots. There is no definitive 2 timetable but funding for the plan has been approved by the Town Manager and the head of the DPW. Downtown Sidewalk Renovations • Rob McNeil, Director of the Nantucket Public Works Department, updated Mr. Rowland on the next downtown sidewalk revision. One of the Commissioners noted that the town should install additional lighting in any areas where the lighting is poor or does not exist, while the town is replacing or repairing the streets and sidewalks. Ms. McDonough will send the DPW the Commission's updated downtown lighting concerns list. Fairgrounds Apartments • Ms. McDonough informed the Commission that there is a new apartment development in the planning stages on Fairgrounds Road, which must fully comply with the 521 CMR. Ms. McDonough sent an e-mail to Brook Meerbergen, the property's designer, stating that the whole project must fully comply with the 521 CMR. Mr. Meerbergen forwarded Ms. McDonough's e-mail to his client and his client's attorney. *Topics Not Anticipated 48 Hours in Advance of Meeting: Adjournment: Ms. Topham motioned to adjourn Open Session, which Ms. Maloney second, and all voted in favor of this motion by the following roll call vote: Mr. Rowland- Aye Ms. Snell- Aye Ms. Maloney- Aye Ms. Topham- Aye Submitted by: Brenda McDonough, Facilitator 3