HomeMy Public PortalAboutAll Citizens Access -- 2009-10-16 MinutesALL CITIZENS ACCESS COMMITTEE OF BREWSTER
OCTOBER 16, 2009 MEETING MINUTES
Idl~;eting began at 2pm at COA.
Members present: Brian Ladley, Jean Sears, Robert Steinmann, Maureen Steinmann
Members not present: Marge Geisler, Christine Glasheen
Members acknowledged acceptance of June 19, 2009 meeting minutes.
Summer Review
The Chair reviewed the happenings with regards to the special parking area for use by
nursing home vans at the Sunday night concerts at Drummer Boy Park. The only local
nursing home interested was the one which suggested the idea and that was "Epoch".
However, their van was in repair and therefore Epoch nursing home residents were
unable to attend the concerts. If this program is to continue next summer, more definite
guidelines will have to be developed.
The Chair will have a summary of the beach wheelchair usage at our next meeting.
Regional MOD Meeting
Maureen and Robert Steinmann attended a regional meeting held by the Massachusetts
Office on Disability on September 16t" at the Dennis Senior Center. Information was
gathered from MOD's representative, Jeff Dougan, as well as from members of handicap
committees from surrounding towns. On-going projects and activities of these
committees were discussed. Eastham (PACE-Public Access Committee of Eastham) has
been working for some time on a "Visitability" program, which gives the home owner
and builder a guide to making a new or remodeled home "visitable" or accessible. The
Eastham Building Inspector works closely with them and distributes PACE's
"visitability" information sheets. Dennis is in the process of obtaining a special golf cart
for each of its two golf courses. Copies of "Visitability" sheets were distributed to our
members today as well as booklets from MOD entitled: Disability Rights Laws in MA.
Committee Goals
From these meetings came the question of our "mission", what we as a committee are all
about. We will discuss this issue at our next meeting on November 20th. Sample
"mission" statements were distributed to those present.
The committee members spoke about setting goals for this year. This will be discussed
more at our next meeting. The Chair mentioned her thoughts re this: First, the
committee's primary aim should be to finish our survey with regard to the town's
recreational areas and beaches. Second, the committee should follow up on its
recommendations. Third, the committee should keep itself informed re ongoing projects
in Brewster--in particular, the consolidation of the town's facilities, the Grist Mill area,
and the Museum of Natural History boardwalk. Fourth, the members should compile a
"to do" list of issues to be addressed at a later time. Jim Geisler has already let the Chair
know that the Visitors Center at Nickerson State Park still does not have a ramp installed
for wheelchair access despite:numerous promises by the Superintendent to do so.
The meeting adjourned at 2:45 pm. Next meeting is November 20, 2009.
Respectfully submitted by Maureen Steinmann