HomeMy Public PortalAbout2017 WCOD Minutes 9-20-17 Watertown Commission on Disability
149 Main St. Watertown, MA. 02472
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, Sept. 20th, 2017
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by John Hawes, Vice-Chair.
ROLL CALL-; John Hawes; Carol Menton, Jeanne O'Connell; Megan O'Halloran; Elan Rohde;
Mohammad(Moh) Sayed.; and Carol Wilson-Braun. Absent- Kim Charlson, Chair; Lisa
Feltner, Town Councilor; and Gayle Shattuck, Town Personnel Director and ADA Coordinator.
Audience- Ray Forte.
AUDIENCE ISSUES- Ray Forte of 43 French St(617-926-4277)brought a concern to the
Commission about accessibility of the dog park on the corner of Pleasant and Bacon Streets. He
has a daughter with special needs and a service dog who cannot bring her dog to the park.
People have to walk over grass to get to the dog park and the sidewalks are not in good
condition. A playground is accessible there but not the basketball court. The park has been there
since 2015 and he has gone before the Town Council previously with no results. John said he
would check out the park and would email the Commission and talk to Steven Magoon, Director
of Community Development and Planning/Assistant Town Manager about it. We will address
this at the next meeting and come up with a plan to remedy the situation. In a related issue, Moh
asked about the accessibility of the new pedestrian bridge being built over the river. Various
Commission members supposed that it would have to be accessible as a new construction,but no
one had seen the plans.
CHAIR'S REPORT- Nothing from Kim, who is away. Fair on the Square was discussed and
volunteers to staff the table were requested. Carol M. and Moh volunteered. Megan will try to
come for part of the time. Carol M. will make sure the box of information is put out and will
bring fact sheets. Moh asked if he could put out copies of his Wheelchair Man comic book for
sale and the Commission members agreed it was OK.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES- It was moved, seconded and VOTED unanimously to accept
the minutes as corrected from the July meeting. Copies of the minutes may be requested from
the Town Clerk's Office.
TREASURER'S REPORT- There was no report as Gayle was away. We will discuss in Oct.
COMMITTEE REPORTS-
a) Plans Review- John said no new plans,but mentioned that the state agreed with the WCOD
to deny the Elan Greystar request for a lift for their pool. John said they would then probably
have to put in a ramp.
b) Closed Captioning- Carol M. will give a report next month.
c) Special Ed, and Safety and Access- No reports this month.
NEW BUSINESS- No new business tonight.
The next meeting will take place on October 18th at 7 p.m.
It was moved, seconded and VOTED unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
These minutes are recorded and respectfully submitted by Carol Wilson-Braun, Secretary.