HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes June 11 2009
Nantucket Commission on Disability
Minutes
June 11, 2009
Present:
Mickey Rowland, Dick Moran, Ellen Braginton-Smith, Jeanette Topham,
David Gray, and Brenda McDonough
Absent:
Linda Williams
Guests:
Whitey Willauer
The meeting opened with the members reviewing May’s minutes. Jeanette
motioned to approve the minutes, which David seconded, and the remaining
Commission members present unanimously approved this motion.
Topics:
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Steamship Authority
David mentioned to Ellen that the SSA offered discounted fares to disabled
travelers as mentioned in the SSA handbook. Ellen investigated these
discounts and this is a summary of her conversations with the SSA personnel:
1.The disabled discount is only offered on the slow ferry and not on the
fast ferry.
2.To be eligible for the discounted fare, you must have a disabled
parking permit.
3.She could not access any policy in writing concerning discounted
fares.
4.SSA offers a discounted commuter book for seniors on the fast ferry.
Ellen will continue to gather information regarding any discounted fares.
Brenda mentioned that the SSA plans to conduct a public meeting on
Nantucket on June 16 and everyone is welcome to attend.
Dick mentioned that one of his clients had a sight impairment and could not
drive in the dark. However, his SSA reservation for his vehicle was on the
nighttime ferry, which he would not be able to keep because he cannot drive
at night. Dick requested that he contact Flint Ranny and see if Flint could help
change the reservation to a daytime ferry, which happened and all parties were
very happy.
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Crosswalks
Brenda mentioned that some crosswalks are difficult to cross because not all
motorists stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Brenda asked the Commission
members if they were aware of crosswalks that would benefit from some sort
of signage alerting motorists to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalks. Also,
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were there any areas around the island that need a new crosswalk installed?
The crosswalks that were mentioned are the following:
1.A new crosswalk at the Stop&Shop
2.New crosswalk across Vesper Lane at Surfside Road.
3.Crosswalks at Landmark House, Broad Street at Federal Street, and
Marine Home Center should have pedestrian signage.
Brenda asked the Commission members to look around and see where the
community could benefit from either new crosswalks or signage in existing
crosswalks.
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Great Harbor Dormitory
Mickey and Brenda met with Tim Shea, Project Manager for the Great harbor
Yacht club, concerning access to their dormitory. They applied to the AAB for
a variance for their laundry room and realized that the common areas and one
bedroom and bathroom had to be accessible also. They decided to apply for a
time variance for the accessible common areas but believed that the bedroom
and bathroom could be completed by August 1. They were considering
placing the washer and dryer in the accessible unit, but Jeanette suggested that
they should be in the common areas in the event more than one person is
disabled. Dick motioned to send a letter of support to the AAB supporting the
time variance for the all the common areas to be completely accessible, and
include the washer and dryer unit in those common areas, which Jeanette
seconded and the remaining Commission members present unanimously
supported this motion.
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Update and Member’s Comments
Brenda updated the Commission on the following items:
1.Mickey is on the Traffic Safety Committee
2.Fair Street parking, adjacent to the new park, has been worked out with all
the concerned parties.
3.Jimmy Manchester: Coffin Park, Children’s Beach, and Jetties Beach
(We met with Jimmy at the office and Mickey and Brenda did a site visit
of these areas.)
Comments:
The Commission wants to keep the opening in the fence along Harbor
View Way because it provides closer access to the water. The Commission
would also like the pier to be accessible.
Whitey spoke about Great Harbor pier and said that it had no pilings so
if you stumbled, you were not able to secure yourself.
4.Bike path warning panels installed on new bike path.
5.Nantucket Pharmacy variance granted for sidewalk slope, threshold, and
stools that impede interior clear floor space
6.Mooney Building: AAB hearing scheduled for June 29, at 3:00 P.M. and
Mickey will attend that meeting.
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7.Jon St. Laurent received the 2 accessible taxi license. He also gave up
his accessible tour license.
8.Brenda will meet with Tanya on June 12 to look at an accessible unit at
the White Elephant Residences.
9.Brenda called the SEAGRILLE and left a message in Robin Harvey’s
mailbox about the accessible toilet room. Brenda requested a return phone
call.
10.Brenda called Jeff Stetina and requested a copy of the Madaket Tennis
Club’s plans.
11.Sent Robin LaPiene a letter about parking in the disabled parking spaces.
Brenda will e-mail everyone a copy of that letter along with the other
letters that I have on my list to send.
12.Brenda will contact Chief Pitman, Conservation Foundation, and Jimmy
Manchester concerning the disabled parking patrol, and access to outside
spaces.
Comments:
David mentioned that there are plans for a new trail at 39 Eel Point
Road. This conversation led to wondering if new paths had to have an
accessible surface. Brenda will look into this.
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Other Concerns
1.David mentioned to look at the ramps at the airport and see if they need
handrails.
2.Brenda mentioned that she would like Mickey to be the only Commission
member to review any letters that the Commission sends out. If, at any
time, Mickey feels that he needs someone else’s professional input, then
he can definitely get that information before any letter is sent. Brenda
asked if any Commission member would make a motion to that effect.
Dick motioned to assign only the Chairman as the editor of my letters,
which Jeanette seconded, and all the remaining, present members voted
unanimously in favor of this motion.
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COD Ratifying Old Business
We did not need to ratify any old business at this meeting.
Dick motioned to adjourn the meeting, which Jeanette seconded and all the
remaining, present members voted in favor of the motion.
Submitted by:
Brenda McDonough,
Facilitator
GO RED SOX!!!
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