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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-
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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
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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
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