HomeMy Public PortalAboutWCOD Minutes 7-15-15Watertown Commission on Disability
149 Main St. Watertown, MA. 02472
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, July 15th, 2015
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chair Kim Charlson.
ROLL CALL- Kim Charlson, Chair; Steven Corbett, Town Councilor; John Hawes; Fred
Isaacs; Carol Menton; Jeanne O'Connell; Megan O'Halloran; Gayle Shattuck, Town
Personnel Director and ADA Coordinator; and Carol Wilson -Braun.
CHAIR'S REPORT- Kim announced there would be two speakers for the Sept meeting, Dr.
Brian Rachmaciej, Watertown Special Ed director, and Ken Woodland from Watertown
Prosperity talking about their snow removal program. Fred was asked to invite the presenters
for the First Aid training program for Mental Health in October. Kim said she now had a
conflict for the COD meeting in Boston on Aug 5th, and Carol M. volunteered to go in her
place. Kim also announced that she had been re-elected president of the American Council
for the Blind for another 2 year term.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES- It was MOVED, seconded and passed unanimously to accept
the minutes from the June meeting. Copies of the minutes may be requested from the Town
Clerk's Office.
TREASURER'S REPORT- We are spending more than is coming in. Steve wants us to look
at our regular expenses and other expenses and figure out our priorities for what to fund. Fred
mentioned that we should find a sponsor for closed captioning, but Kim recommends waiting
until the system is working well. John recommended making a budget with recurring line
items and offered to put something together on Excel. It was MOVED, seconded and voted
unanimously to accept the Treasurer's Report for July. Copies of the Treasurer's report may
be requested from the town's ADA Coordinator in the Personnel Office.
COMMITTEE REPORTS -
a) Plans Review- John said there were no new projects. He spoke of a dispute between
Athena Health and a tenant (dermatology office) where handicapped parking spaces
are part of the issue. MAAB is involved, so there is no need for action on our part
b) Closed Caption- Gayle is corresponding with all the involved parties. There is a kink
in the system at the Comcast end, with much time being spent on the issue. An
external modem for decoder has been purchased. Gayle will try to figure out the
problem in communication between Town Hall and Comcast.
c) Special Ed- Fred had no updates.
d) Safety and Access- A letter was received from a Perkins employee about the
condition of sidewalks between Perkins and an Arsenal St. bus stop near Irving. John
commented that the Beechwood intersection was going to be improved. There was
discussion about how blind people can find their way when there is one corner ramp
and two crosswalks. Megan asked if someone at DPW was responsible for regular
maintenance of tactile warnings. Ed Baptista was mentioned. Steve said there was
with a $2.8 million street and sidewalk construction project, and a comprehensive
road management schedule at the DPW. The state is upgrading Rte 20 crossings.
Megan and John will continue to investigate and report back to Gayle who will be in
contact with DPW.
ONGOING BUISINESS-
a) Watertown Riverfront Project- Kim said that the pedestrian light at Irving St is
now flashing. She noted that the signs for Braille were smaller than the ones for
English, which may be a problem when trying to fit the words on.
b) No updates about handicapped parking.
c) Watertown Comprehensive Plan- Steve said that it had been adopted by the
Town Council and now will be implemented.
NEW BUSINESS -
Gayle again mentioned the Community Access Monitor course in Salem in August.
The next meeting will take place on September 16th at 7 p.m. There will be no meeting in
August.
It was MOVED, seconded and voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:02 p.m.
These minutes are recorded and respectfully submitted by Carol Wilson -Braun, Secretary.