HomeMy Public PortalAboutWCOD Minutes 3-20-19Watertown Commission on Disability
149 Main St. Watertown, MA. 02472
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 20th, 2019
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Kim Charlson, Chair.
ROLL CALL- Kim Charlson, Chair; Lisa Feltner, Town Councilor; Lissa Gifford; John
Hawes; Carol Menton; Megan O'Halloran; Elan Rohde; Gayle Shattuck, Town Personnel
Director and ADA Coordinator; and Carol Wilson -Braun.
Audience- Caitlin Browne, Assistant Director, Watertown Public Library; David Leon;
Laura Wiener, Senior Transportation Planner, Watertown Parking Management Plan; Naomi
Ridge, prospective member of WCOD; Ray Forte and Desiree Forte; Jessica Perez; Heather
McManus; Dr.Theresa McGuinnes, Asst Superintendent of Teaching, Learning and
Assessment; and Kathleen Desmarais, Elem Spec Ed Coordinator, WPS.
AUDIENCE ISSUES- Desiree Forte is a Watertown resident who brought up the issue of
accessibility of the actual area the dogs use at How Dog park. She uses a power w/c and
finds the gravel very difficult to maneuver. She said it was grass before, which was better.
Her father Ray looked up pea stone and found it wasn't ADA compliant. She said that the
new sidewalk access was good. When asked, she gave Carlton Place in the South End as an
example of a good, accessible dog park. Gayle will talk to DPW.
GUEST SPEAKERS -
1) Laura Wiener spoke about the parking management plan for Watertown and Coolidge
Squares. They are trying to increase turnover of parked vehicles, and are also looking at
the amount of handicapped parking in those areas. They had a survey, and on May 7th
will unveil their draft recommendations in the library. Megan suggested talking to
Belmont about what they have done. Laura would like help and input from the WCOD.
Kim brought up a parking survey that the Commission did a number of years ago. Gayle
will look it up and send it to Laura. David Leon said he was surprised that the survey
responses did not mention handicapped parking, which is important for these 2 areas.
2) Sgt Sampson was unable to come to the meeting tonight because of a bad car crash in
Watertown.
3) Theresa McGuinnes and Kathleen Desmarais gave a presentation about Watertown
Public Schools' mission, goals and accomplishments, focusing on Special Ed. Please
refer to flier attached to minutes for details. Kim asked if they would return in the fall
and give a report about disability education efforts. They are also going to look at race,
ethnicity and language. Carol M asked what kind of interface they had with parents.
They answered there are primary forums, coffee with the superintendant, and a monthly
Special Ed Parent Advisory Council- one in the evening and one during the daytime so
they can reach all parents. Another question was whether they taught ASL, and the
answer was that they are looking to hire teachers. Elan asked if the ipads were still being
used in the library, and they answered that they were. They have special apps for
disabled students who are non-verbal. Based on other questions, they said they would do
more research about technology in preschool, and review how disability is covered in the
curriculum, and they would get back to us. Kim also mentioned the issues concerning
handicapped parking around the schools that Naomi Ridge had brought up. The schools
need to monitor their own spaces, especially around pick-up time. People live park and
block the drive through. Gayle will ask Sgt Sampson about patrolling the lots. One thing
that might help is the internal weekly conversation newssheets that principals have for
parents.
CHAIR'S REPORT -
1) Caitlyn Browne of the WPL came to follow up on the funding for the ADA improvements
at the library. She said that the automatic door was being installed in May, and that the
extension for the patio was going to be done soon. They installed the accessible lock on the
door already, at their own expense. It was moved, seconded and VOTED unanimously to
fund $2500 for the library accessibility project.
2) CVS Parking lot Update- Gerry Mee and the highway supervisor looked at the light pole
and said it couldn't be moved, nor could they do a bump out. John wondered if there was a
streetlight with a smaller base. Gayle will talk to Steve Magoon. Regarding trucks parked
on the sidewalk to unload, Gerry Mee sent a letter to CVS to stop the practice.
3) Mosesian Center for the Arts. Their Touch the Art gala will be on 5/23. Our own Kim
Charlson will be recognized, among other community members. John suggested that the
entire commission be invited. The kick off reception will take place on 6/6.
4) Naomi Ridge is a candidate for a place on the commission. She shared her background
and desire to serve on the Commission. She left the room and it was moved, seconded and
VOTED unanimously to recommend Naomi Ridge to the town manager for appointment to
the WCOD.
5) AAB Ruling on Story Chapel at MT Auburn Cemetery- John said basically that they went
along with our recommendations.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES- It was moved, seconded and VOTED unanimously to accept
the minutes 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 Jan. Copies of the Treasurer's report may be requested from the
town's ADA Coordinator in the Personnel Office.
COMMITTEE REPORTS -
1) Plans- John said there would be a meeting next Tues, the first in 11/2 years. It will be a
review of changes of Building G at the Arsenal Yards from residential to lab space. Lisa
spoke of concerns about Arsenal Park and how it gets redesigned.
2) Closed Captioning update- Carol M. spoke of a glitch, and problems with the connection.
The cable studio has an IP internet protocol that the Town Hall doesn't have. Caption First
and Helen's people tested it on Monday and will try it at the Town Council meeting. New
people are being trained. Lisa reiterated that there should be a checklist. Stephanie said
there was a different person there every time, which is not enough consistency.
Carol M also said that she looked into what other towns were doing for funding. She
said it was unusual for them to have sponsors. Boston has funding in the city's budget for
cable. A big issue right now is FCC funding, so we need to wait to see what is happening with
that. One commissioner remarked that ironically, the FCC was developed around universal
access to the telephone. We will discuss this more next month.
3) Special Ed- Discussed above.
4) Safety and Access- Gayle still needs to investigate the audible signals at Warren and
Lexington. And it is still not known if the detectable warnings at Main and Lexington are
state or town.
NEW BUSINESS -
1) Lisa mentioned re snow removal, that the paths need to include access to signal buttons on
the lights. Also, she mentioned concerns about accessibility of the Athena Health pocket
park. It seems to have the same stones that the dog park has. In question are the transitions
and the type of gravel used. Megan will take a look. Carol M. saw a sign saying that it
was closed for the winter. Lisa responded that abutting residents have seen trucks on the
bike path.
2) Kim said she has been trying to get people with disabilities onto Watertown for All Ages.
She will lead a focus group. She's gotten one person, Judy Cannon, to join their
transportation committee. John said he is on that committee.
3) Lisa announced that the Lime Bikes are returning and will be monitored.
The next meeting will take place on Wed. April 24th at 7 p.m., which is a week later due to
school vacation.
It was moved, seconded and VOTED to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m.
These minutes are recorded and respectfully submitted by Carol Wilson -Braun, Secretary.