HomeMy Public PortalAboutWCOD Minutes 3-16-16_1 Watertown Commission on Disability
149 Main St. Watertown, MA. 02472
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 16t', 2016
The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Chair Kim Charlson.
ROLL CALL- Kim Charlson, Chair; Lisa Feltner, Town Councilor; John Hawes; Fred
Isaacs, Vice-Chair; Carol Menton; Megan O'Halloran; Gayle Shattuck, Town Personnel
Director and ADA Coordinator; and Carol Wilson-Braun. Absent- Jeanne O'Connell.
Audience- Bruce Alexander and Bob Giers, Chair and Commission member respectively,
from N. Attleboro COD, and Janet Buck and Cindy Galligan, Chair and board member
respectively, from the Watertown Girls and Boys Club.
First item was a welcome to Lisa Feltner, new Town Councilor from District B, who was
newly appointed as the Town Council representative on the WCOD to complete the
remainder of Steve Corbett's term. A Watertown resident for 25 years, she has a background
in music and teaching and grants administration.
GUEST SPEAKER- Bruce Alexander has been on the N. Attleboro COD for 6years, and
gave us a summary of their commission, with input from Bob Giers. Commissioners are
appointed by the Board of Selectmen, and are in the process of building a relationship with
the new town administrator, and work closely with DPW, local police and MAAB. Like us,
they offer input on new construction and DPW projects. They are involved in the effort to
start a COD in Attleboro, and to connect the regional commissions. They recently gave
awards to people and businesses in the community to recognize service to the disabled: a
Shaws that went above and beyond to accommodate disabled, and a private nurse who visits
people in town with severe disabilities. They extended an invitation to us to attend the
town's Strawberry Festival on 6/8.
CHAIR'S REPORT- Kim invited John Hawes to present the request for an accommodation
from the Boys and Girls Club, and he deferred to our guests. Cindy Galligan introduced
herself by saying that she was the wife of the first chair of the WCOD and has a 31 year old
son with CP. In 2003 when renovations were done to the Boys and Girls Club locker rooms
and pool, they had to install a lift to the pool deck to be ADA compliant. This lift has never
been used and has become a financial burden as it does not pass inspections and must be
repaired. They were asking for an accommodation to replace it with a 3 ft. wide ramp to the
pool deck instead of a 4 ft. wide ramp, in order to save needed space on the deck, given the
low anticipated usage, if any. John Hawes wrote a letter expressing support by the
Commission for the request. It was moved, seconded and VOTED unanimously to approve
the letter.
Kim mentioned that she had been interviewed by AARP regarding Watertown as one
"liveable community" for people with disabilities, and asked Carol M if the interviewer could
also interview her. Carol M agreed.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES- It was moved, seconded and VOTED unanimously to accept
the minutes as corrected from the January meeting. Copies of the minutes may be requested
from the Town Clerk's Office.
TREASURER'S REPORT- It was moved, seconded and VOTED unanimously to accept the
Treasurer's Report for January. Copies of the Treasurer's report may be requested from the
town's ADA Coordinator in the Personnel Office.
Fred mentioned the money given to the Autism Family Support group and asked if Gayle
would advise them as to what are legitimate expenses.
Lisa brought up the"See, Click, Fix" app mentioned by our N. Attleboro guests and said that it
is on the web for MA Commonwealth Connect, for DPW and police dept issues/complaints,
and accessibility issues. It can be used for Watertown. Kim said she would check into the
accessibility of the website.
COMMITTEE REPORTS-
1) Plans and Safety and Access- no reports.
2) Closed Caption- Carol M. gave a brief summary of its history to Lisa. Gayle said the
contract was reviewed by the purchasing agent and will be signed. Connections are being
established between the Caption First scheduler and Town Council clerk. Carol M said that
CART is available in the chamber. Kim wanted to make sure the chamber was accessible
to those people present. Gayle mentioned that there were 4 screens in the room. John said
he liked the idea of a big screen for all to see, and Carol said that should be manageable.
3) SPEDPAC-Fred thanked them for the formal invitations to the Commission to the April 13
awards ceremony, which takes place 7 p.m. at the library. Dr. Joe Petner is the speaker.
NEW BUSINESS-
Gayle received thank yous from St Patrick's food pantry, Wayside Youth and Family
Multiservice Center and the World in Watertown (Unity breakfast). Gayle reported that Carol
Fox retired March 4th as director of the Senior Center and the town is taking applications for a
new director.
Discussion about animal control issue- a disabled resident has a pet not on a leash and
there have been complaints. After looking into the issue further and into disability laws, it was
determined that the animal in question is a pet, not a service animal and should be on a leash,
and that the owner is responsible for picking up after the dog. Also, there appears to be a
neighbor against neighbor grievance and it should be referred to Watertown Housing. Gayle
said she would have George Donahue talk to the person.
It was moved, seconded and VOTED to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m.
The next meeting will take place on April 20t" at 7 p.m.
These minutes are recorded and respectfully submitted by Carol Wilson-Braun, Secretary.