Commission on Disability

METHUEN COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES (MCOD) MINUTES FROM THE MEETING HELD MARCH 10,2022 1.CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE: Meeting convened at 7:01pm via Zoom. IN ATTENDANCE: Eileen Lee (Chairperson), James Beagan(Co-Chair logged in at 7:02pm,) Cynthia Ciofolo, Debra Blood, Rose Choquette, Maryann Vitale, Victoria Debrocke, Ashley Smallwood, Kevin Hatch. OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Mayor Perry (logged in at 7:17pm,) Gene Walsh (American with Disabilities Act Coordinator,) Ed Lussier(Director Of Operations for Technology for Methuen Public Schools,) Gina Bozek(Director of Student Services for Methuen Public Schools,) Steve Angelo (Superintendent of Parks and Recreation for the Methuen Department of Public Works.) NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Patrick Bower (Head of the Department of Public Works) 2. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: Ms. Choquette made a motion to accept the minutes from the February 3,2022 meeting. Ms Ciofolo seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken; Chair Lee-Yes Co-Chair Beagan-Yes Cynthia Ciofolo-Yes Debra Blood-Yes Rose Choquette-Yes AshleySmallwood-Yes Kevin Hatch-Yes Maryann Vitale-Yes Victoria Debrocke-Yes 4.TREASURER’S REPORT: Income: January, 2022-$1,200, February,2022-$2,000. Total Income- $62,217.24. 5.ADA COORDINATOR’S REPORT: Mr. Walsh said that there in not a timeline for the project slated for the repair of Merrimack Street (from the entrance to Route 495 to Pleasant Street.). The city is petitioning private business along this stretch of road to supplement the cost of this project since the state grant will not cover all expenses. Parking lots along the route might loose some of their frontage and a consultant is being paid by the city to assess the situation. 6. OLD BUSINESS: A.UPDATE ON FROM DPW AND SEE/CLICK/FIX: Mr. Hatch said that the issue on Brown Street that was reported on See/Click/Fix has been resolved. Mr. Angelo reported that Mr. Bower is waiting for the completed survey on the City Hall ramp and crosswalk. B.DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PRIVACY OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S PERSONAL INFORMATION WHEN REACHING OUT FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE MCOD. IN ADDITION, IN REFERENCE TO THE INTERNAL DOORS ATHE MPS; IS THE CITY RESPONSIBLE FOR COSTS OF REPLACEMENT OR RENOVATIONS? The Mayor said that if an individual files a complaint on See/Click/Fix, that complaint is a matter of public record. On the issue of disseminating more Covid test kits to the community of disabled persons, Mr. Hatch said that MCOD can set up a database with citizens’ names so that we can reach out to them when kits become available. The Mayor said that if the MCOD does this then they need to be cognizant of the proper way to ask for this information and how to store this information. There was discussion about the internal doors at the MHS and that the City is responsible for maintaining them which includes door pressure and pull rate. Mr. Walsh said that these issues were addressed when the school was built, however, these issues need to be checked periodically because over time door pressure and pull rate may change i.e. it can become heavier or lighter. Mr. Hatch that said this issue not only effects students with disabilities but also school employees with disabilities who may not have an attendant with them during an emergency evacuation of the building. Mr. Lussier will discuss this with Mr. Stella, MPS Head Custodian, because this issue is the responsibility of MPS. C.CONTINUED REPORTS ON THE PROPOSED SURVEYS TO INVITE INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC ON FUNDING ALLOCATIONS TO ACCESSIBILITY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH A DISABILITY AS WELL AS ANY INPUT ON ASSISTANCE WITH COVID RELATED CHALLENGES: Ms. Smallwood said that she and Mr. Hatch had delayed work on this issue in order to focus on the dissemination of Covid testing kits to the community of disabled persons. Ms. Smallwood and Mr. Hatch will focus on the survey issue this month and present it to the MCOD next month. D.COMMISSION ON DISABILITY SOCIAL MEDIA SITE IN REFERENCE TO ACKNOWLEDGING AND EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY ON PROPER TERMINOLOGY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY: Ms. Smallwood and Mr. Hatch are going to compile fact sheets from different organizations on this matter. They will then post one fact sheet a week to the community. Ms. Vitale,also, volunteered to help with this effort. E.REPORT FROM KEVIN HATCH ON INTERNAL DOORS AT METHUEN SCHOOLS AND HOW DIFFICULT THEY ARE CURRENTLY TO NAVIGATE:See section 6B for discussion of this matter. 7.NEW BUSINESS:A: PRESENTATION ON PROPOSED UPDATED AND INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND AT CGS BY ED LUSSIER AND GINA BOZEK. Mr. Lussier and Ms. Bozek presented current plans to replace the existing Kindergarten playground at the CGS so that it will be more inclusive for all students including those with physical challenges. Due to a collaborative effort with the assistant principal of the CGS, this project will allow students with mobility issues so that they can better interact with their typical peers. The playground will include a more level layout and differerent materials for equal access to all students. Discussion of the playground centered around the MCOD commissioners questioning Mr. Lussier and Ms. Bozak about the surface material (is the surface suitable for wheelchairs and children with braces or crutches) for the playground and the playground equipment. Ms. Bozak said there are very limited options for playground equipment that services students of all abilities. Mr. Lussier said that the district wants to add a communication board that would cost an additional $1,700 that would not be funded by the city. Ms. Bozak said that this board would address the needs of students that are non-verbal so that they could also communicate with their peers. Mr. Lussier said that the board would be placed at the outer perimeters of the playground on a surface that might be either grass or concrete. Since the city’s Capital Improvement Fund has a budget limit, Mr. Lussier wanted to know if this project could be funded by the MCOD. Mr. Lussier will send more information to the commission concerning this matter. At 8:24pm, Mr. Luissier and Ms. Bozak left the zoom meeting. B.PRESENTATION ON PROPOSAL OF ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND AT FOREST LAKE BY STEPHEN ANGELO. Mr. Angelo said that with the help of Linda Dean Campbell(state representative) most of the funding will be provided by the state. The current playground was built in the 1950’s or 1960’s with no accessible layout for persons with disabilities. The new playground will include asphalt, new equipment, a swing set and will be suitable for all children from two to twelve years of age. Mr. Angelo said that the $50,000 state grant that is funding this project needs to be spent by June 30,2022. The current plans for this new playground will cost $70,000,therefore, an additional $20,000 is needed to complete the project so that it is ADA compliant. Mr. Angelo inquired if the MCOD could help fund the surface area because only 40% of the grant is for that part of the playground. Before a decision is made on this matter, Ms. Lee asked Mr. Angelo to send the MCOD pictures of what the existing space looks like now, and plans/pictures of the playground that will replace it. ANY OTHER BUSINESS FOR THE GOOD AND WELFARE OF THE DISABLED COMMUNITY: Ms. Debrocke asked that job sharing for the position of secretary be put on next month’s agenda. Co-Chair Beagan stated that he was confused by the MCOD’s facebook page which is from 2017. Mr. Hatch said that the city still has the old MCOD website on its Facebook page. Mr. Hatch will rectify this issue. Co-Chair Beagan,also,referenced that MCOD information should be posted on Facebook and Twitter. Mr. Hatch, Ms. Smallwood and Ms. Vitale will focus on this issue. The Mayor indicated that there are many social media sites that Methuen residents can access. That is why the City issues it’s quarterly newspaper which reaches all audiences in the city. The Mayor encouraged the MCOD to contact John Molori if they wanted any information posted in the city newspaper. Co-Chair Beagan made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Vitale seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Chair Lee-Yes Co-Chair Beagan-Yes Cynthia Ciofolo-Yes Debra Blood-Yes Rose Choquette-Yes Ashley Smallwood-Yes Kevin Hatch-Yes Maryann Vitale-Yes Victoria Debrocke-Yes Meeting adjourned at 9:07pm. Respectfully submitted by Victoria Debrocke