Commission on Disability

METHUEN COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES (MCOD) MINUTES FROM THE MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 6,2022 1.CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE: Meeting convened at 7pm via Zoom IN ATTENDANCE: Eileen Lee(Chairperson) James Beagan(Co-Chairperson,) Rose Choquette, Maryannn Vitale, Victoria Debrocke, Ashley Smallwood, Kevin Hatch, Debra Blood(logged in at 7:02) NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Cynthia Ciofolo, Patrick Bower (Head of the Department of Public Works) OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Gene Walsh (Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) Coordinator,) Mayor Perry(logged in at 7:25pm) 2.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:NONE 3.APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING:Mr. Hatch made one correction to the minutes. Ms. Blood made a motion to accept the minutes from the January meeting with one correction. Ms Choquette seconded the motion. A roll call was taken: Chair Lee-Yes Co-Chair Beagan-Yes Ashley Smallwood-Yes Debra Blood-Yes Maryann Vitale-Yes Rose Choquette-Yes Kevin Hatch-Yes Victoria Debrocke-Yes 4.TREASURER’S REPORT: December income:$1,000, no expenses. Balance $59,017.24. 5.ADA COORDINATOR’S REPORT: Mr. Walsh said that Mr. Bower had permission from the town to cut down the trees at 188-190 Brown Street in order to repair the sidewalk to make it more accessible for all residents. This work will be done in the spring. Through SEE/CLICK/FIX, Mr. Walsh got a report about the accessibility issues on Merrimack Street. Mr. Walsh said that there is no plan to repair this street in the near future. However, Mr. Walsh said that the city is conducting a survey concerning Merrimack Street and has applied to the state for grants to repair Merrimack Street from the entrance and exit ramps at Route 495 all the way to Pleasant Street. This infrastructure facelift will include repairing hazardous sidewalks, new curb cuts and street lights. The work will commence on this project when the grant funds are allocated to the city in 2023. 6.OLD BUSINESS: A. UPDATE FROM THE DPW AND ADA COORDINATOR ON THE STATUS OF THE PROPOSED ACCESSIBLE CROSSWALK AT CITY HALL AND ANY DISCUSSION WITH THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. WERE ANY PROPOSED SAFETY MEASURES GIVEN? Chair Lee read an email from Mr. Bower stating that the dumpster at city hall is not in front of accessibility parking. A survey for the crosswalk at city hall is being conducted and results will be emailed to us when survey is finalized. B.UPDATE ON RESOLUTION OF TWO SEE/CLICK/FIX AREAS @41 PLEASANT STREET AND 188 BROWN STREET. The email from Mr. Bower stated that the trees on Brown Street have been removed and now repair of the sidewalk needs to be addressed. No update on the location at 41 Pleasant St. C.FOLLOW UP ON THE COLLABORATION OF MCOD WITH CITY HALL, DPH ON DISTRIBUTION OF TESTS KITS TO DISABLED COMMUNITY. The MCOD spoke to Felix Zemel (Director of Inspection Services). He said that 125 households requested Covid testing kits. Kits were distributed at the Loop, and the Senior Center and were mailed to individuals who could not pick them up directly. The public service announcements on social media helped in reaching the community at large with this information. Kudos were given to Ashley Smallwood and Kevin Hatch who spearheaded the MCOD social media effort from the commission and Mayor Perry. Mayor Perry indicated that if some people in the community were unable to get Covid Testing Kits, they should call Ryan Hamilton at City Hall. Ms. Debrocke asked how the general population could assess the robo calls the city generates. The mayor said that a person needs to go the Police Department designation on the city’s website and click on reverse 911. Mr. Hatch said that he and Ms. Smallwood would be willing to work with the mayor’s office to help all members of the community access other websites which would help them get free covid test kits. D.UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED DISTRIBUTION OF TEST KITS TO DIABLED COMMUNITY. Ms. Smallwood said that she and Mr. Hatch would post a survey this month on social media which would focus on the distribution of Covid testing kits. Mr. Hatch suggested to the mayor that a robo call also be sent to the community. The mayor indicated that any information that his staff has gathered on this topic is shared on multiple platforms, so that, every group is represented for the dissemination of information. Mayor Perry apologized for posting an item that used the word “disabled”and not “handicapped.” Ms. Smallwood indicated that the proper terminology is “person with a disability” and this term is now the accepted phrase. 7. NEW BUSINESS: A:DISCUSSION ON INTERNAL DOORS AT METHUEN SCHOOLS THAT ARE NOT AUTOMATIC. IS THIS AN ALLOWABLE ALLOCATION FROM MCOD TO REPLACE HEAVY INTERNAL DOORS THAT CAUSE HARDSHIP TO STUDENTS WHO ARE DISABILED?Mayor Perry said he needs to contact the city solicitor, the head of the DPW, and the head custodian of the Methuen Public Schools to find out if the city is responsible for making sure that the internal doors at Methuen High School are accessible to persons with disabilities. Currently, the internal doors have a pressure rating of fifteen pounds which means that a person who is seated can open the doors. Mr. Walsh (ADA Coordinator) that if someone is having accessibility issues with the doors that a complaint should be made so that the custodian of the building can address it. As a former Methuen High student, Mr. Hatch has had personal experience with trying to open these which can present a hazard if someone cannot open them. Suggestions were made to resolve this issue, however, a vote was not taken on this issue. B.DISCUSSION AND FOLLOW-UP ON CONTINUED COLLABORATION,IF NECESSARY,WITH THE CITY AND DPH TO ASSIST IN SUPPORTING THE DISABLED COMMUNITY DURING THE COVID OUTBREAK:Mayor Perry said that if a person with a disability reaches out to the city concerning an issue that data should be retained. Mr. Hatch thought that this was appropriate,however, he felt that the person’s private information should be retained only by the city. Ms. Vitale suggested that a consent form be used so that the city could share this information with the MCOD when needed. In turn, the MCOD would keep the information in order to resolve an issue if the MCOD can. It was discussed that a central location is needed to save and store this information. Mr. Hatch made a motion to have the Mayor or City Solicitor to research if there are any legal issues involved with the storing of information. Ms. Vitale seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Chair Lee-Yes Co-Chair Beagan-Yes Ashley Smallwood-Yes Debra Blood-Yes Maryann Vitale-Yes Rose Choquette-Yes Kevin Hatch-Yes Victoria Debrocke-Yes After the roll call vote was taken, Mr. Hatch declared that the MCOD would like this information presented at our next meeting. Mr. Hatch, also, assured the community if anyone presents an issue on social media to he or Ms. Smallwood all information would remain private. C.OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMISSIONERS TO MOTION FOR ANY AGENDA ITEMS TO BE ADDED TO THE MARCH MEETING. Mr. Hatch said he would work with the mayor’s office on issues discussed in Section B above. Mr. Hatch will also work with the mayor’s office concerning the internal doors at the Methuen High School. Mr. Walsh said that on February 8, there be a posting for a new ADA position issued by the mayor’s office. The mayor also said that the playground at the Comprehensive Grammar School is being redone and that he is requesting that Ed Lussier(title?) needs to reach out to the MCOD for suggestions for this project. No motion was made on any of these issues. FINAL CONCERNS: Ms. Smallwood said that the MCOD needs feedback on social media concerning proper terminology used for a certain part of the population. She said that people object to “a disabled person” and prefer “a person with a disability,” or a “community member with a disability.” A motion was made by Ms. Vitale to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Blood. A roll call vote was taken: Chair Lee-Yes Co-Chair-Began-Yes Ashley Smallwood-Yes Debra Blood-Yes Maryann Vitale-Yes Rose Choquette-Yes Kevin Hatch-Yes Victoria Debrocke-Yes Meeting adjourned:8:19pm. Respectively submitted: Victoria C Debrocke