HomeMy Public PortalAboutWCOD Minutes 6-20-18Watertown Commission on Disability
149 Main St. Watertown, MA. 02472
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, June 20th, 2018
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by John Hawes, Vice -Chair.
ROLL CALL- Lissa Gifford; John Hawes; Lisa Feltner, Town Councilor; Megan O'Halloran;
Elan Rohde; Gayle Shattuck, Town Personnel Director and ADA Coordinator; and Carol
Wilson -Braun. Absent- Kim Charlson, Chair; and Carol Menton.
AUDIENCE- Stephanie Venizelos, Community Wellness Program Manger with the
Watertown Health Dept, and Tom Tracy, Town Auditor and Assistant Town Manager for
Finance.
GUEST SPEAKERS- 1) Tom Tracy has been auditor for Watertown since 1974. He addressed
concerns about using public funds for improvements on private property, brought up during the
quest to get handicapped doors for the post office on Main St. He confirmed that it is prohibited
by MA finance law. Gayle suggested the Commission write a letter of support that the owner
should do something.
2) Stephanie Venizelos came to discuss a complaint about the accessibility of the farmer's
market held on Thursdays on Athena's property in front of Panera. She heard from a couple of
people last year about concerns about w/c accessibility and someone on crutches. Apparently
some of the stalls are on concrete, but some are on stone dust. There is also gravel, but it
surrounds trees and generally is not in the way. Stephanie has talked to a number of people,
including Deb, Steve (Magoon) and Giddeon, and even the Mass Farmers' Assoc. She heard
back from the people who were pleased about being heard. She wanted to get feedback and
advice from the Commission. There was a lengthy discussion about the set up, and possible
fixes. Several Commissioners decided to go see the market to get a better idea. We will
continue the discussion next month. Stephanie will continue to talk to the town and to Athena.
CHAIR'S REPORT- 1) Delta update. Elan presented her letter to the MBTA. The Commission
thought it looked good and will have Kim look at it and sign.
2) Gayle spoke about the dog park and getting the sidewalk put in. Lisa was asked if it was on
the agenda for the public works committee.
3) Faire on the Square- Megan said we need to start planning and said she would try to help.
Carol M is usually able to help as well. Carol W -B said we should do a sign up next meeting to
staff the table, but that she was going to be away that weekend. Lisa said that Mark Camero of
veterans' services is going to try to rejuvenate the fair. Gayle said he would be coming to our
next meeting. Elan wondered about bringing a bubble machine. It will be on the agenda in July.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES- It was moved, seconded and VOTED unanimously to accept
the minutes as corrected from the May 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 May. Copies of the Treasurer's report may be requested from the
town's ADA Coordinator in the Personnel Office.
COMMITTEE REPORTS -
1) Plans Review- John said that Perkins was renovating a dorm and was asking to be
exempted from placing treads on all the stairs, and from renovating half of the toilets. This is
a case where everything needs to be brought up to code because of the cost/extent of the
renovations. The plans board accepted the former and rejected the later. Kim said they are
appealing. John said that we could write a letter of support.
John also spoke of a storage facility at 80 Elm St. but had no details. Lisa said that at
a community meeting, the front was supposed to be a pocket park and the entrance was on
the side. John said it looked accessible. He said he would also check into 102 Morse St.
The Planning board approved but not the Zoning board.
There were no reports for Closed Captioning, Special Ed or Safety and Access.
There was no New Business tonight.
The next meeting will take place on July 18th at 7 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
These minutes are recorded and respectfully submitted by Carol Wilson -Braun, Secretary.