Commission on Disability

Minutes of meeting on June 2, 2022 Conducted via ZOOM and broadcast on Methuen Community Studios’ Government Channel 1. Call to Order and Attendance: PRESENT: Eileen Lee, Chairperson, Ashley Smallwood, co-Chairperson, Victoria Debrocke, Treasurer; Members: James Beagan, Kevin Hatch, Maryann Vitale, Debra Blood (joined meeting at 8:10). ABSENT: Cynthia Ciofollo. Rose Choquette has resigned from the commission for health reasons. Ms. Lee spoke of her gratitude for Ms. Choquette’s many years of devoted service to the commission. 2. Public Participation: None 3. Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting: Mr. Hatch suggested several points of clarification. A motion was passed to approve the minutes as amended. Motion: Ms. Smallwood, second: Mr. Hatch. Yes votes: Mr. Beagan, Ms. Lee, Ms. Debrocke, Ms. Vitale, No votes: none. 4. Treasurer’s Report: There was no report since provision had not been made for Ms. Debrocke to receive the information from the city. Ms. Lee and Ms. Debrocke will work together to make sure Ms. Debrocke receives the information in time for our next meeting. 5. ADA Coordinator’s Report: There was no report. Mr. Gene Walsh was not present. 6. Old Business: a) Update from DPW and see-click-fix. Mr. Bower from the DPW was not present. Mr. Hatch asked Ms. Smallwood to read the list of outstanding issues provided to members. He noted that there were some issues on the list that had already been resolved. The following were discussed: 1: curb at High School with no curb cut and ramp. 2: no accessible spots at Nevins library charging stations. 3: accessible parking spots at Methuen High School are on other side of a street from main entrance 4: Accessible door with automatic door opener at only back door of Chick-fil-a restaurant 5: Various drain grates in city have holes larger than the allowed one inch size 6: 75 Pleasant Street has no curb ramp and no access to a crosswalk to the play area Several of these have been discussed before with the DPW and with the ADA coordinator and within the commission. Ms. Lee will follow up with Mr. Bower and Mr. Walsh as to where each of these stands. b) Clarity on bid process for Forest Lake Playground and funding request: At a prior meeting, the commission voted to allocate monies in support of this project. Ms. Lee asked the city solicitor, Mr. Kenneth Rosetti, for a clarification of the process when we are offering to fund only a portion of the full project. Mr. Rosetti said the procurement process does not allow bid splitting, the project as a whole goes through that process, and the Commission will submit to the mayor for city council approval a specific amount it wishes to contribute to the project. Ms. Lee will so submit the approved amount to the mayor. Ms. Debrocke expressed concern that the funding had to be approved by the June 30 deadline. Ms. Lee said that the process makes it so that deadline does not apply to the approval of our contribution. c) Follow-up on CGS playground bid: Ms. Lee is in contact with School department over follow-up on this. d) Update on Public Survey on Commission Funding priorities: Ms. Smallwood noted the survey is ongoing , but there have not been a great many replies and that there are no clear leader(s) in the categories of where the public wishes us to concentrate. There was discussion of how to better publicize the survey. Mr. Beagan suggested Mr. Hatch and Ms. Smallwood appear on Yes We Can to talk not only about the survey, but also see-click-fix and its use as an advocacy tool where others can sign on to issues they agree with and support. Ms. Lee spoke of how important it is to make people feel they can speak up to make their voices heard on disability issues. e) Bids for signage for Yes We Can Show: Mr. Beagan presented two bids for the signs from Staples and Office Max which were both higher than the bid Ms. Blood received. Mr. Hatch pointed out that we need to receive Ms. Blood’s copy of the written estimate from the local business and asked us to table the vote until that was done. Ms. Smallwood moved that we vote to approve the funds for purchase of the signage from the local printer, pending the receipt of the lowest price bid from Ms. Blood. Mr. Beagan seconded. Yes votes: Ms. Vitale, Ms. Lee, Ms. DeBrocke, Mr. Hatch. No votes: none 7. New Business: a) Volunteers for small committee to work on basketball tournament for people of all abilities. Ms. Smallwood spoke of her goals and plans. Mr. Hatch and Ms. Lee were interested in working on a committee. Discussion followed of how to do this while operating under open meeting law rules. Ms. Smallwood suggested an open non-televised meeting for all interested parties to be held at the Quinn building. Others suggested for inclusion at his meeting in planning and outreach included police and fire (Ms. Lee), Best buddies (Mr. Hatch) , special education departments at the schools (Ms. DeBrocke) , SEPAC (Ms. Lee). Ms. Debrocke also spoke of publicity and signup at Methuen Days for a tournament later in the fall. Ms. Smallwood then spoke of how such an activity would increase community awareness of the commission and would make it easier for us to recruit new members to the commission. b) Volunteers for small work group to create an application for requesting funds from MCOD. Ms. Smallwood researched what other communities did in this regard. She found a good application used by both Needham and Plymouth. Kevin Hatch moved that we put in the agenda for our next meeting that we review the application, discuss it and vote on its use. Ms. Smallwood seconded. Yes votes: Mr. Beagan, Ms. Lee, Ms. Debrocke, Ms. Vitale. No votes: None. Other business: a) Regarding the approval of the use of commission funds for small amounts without the entire process of council approval, similar to a petty cash account, Ms Lee reported that Mr. Beagan reported a conversation with the clerk of the city council who said that there is no special provision one can request, that one must follow city procedures. Ms. Lee will follow up with the mayor’s office to find out what normal city procedures are for this matter. b) Ms Smallwood asked and moved that we add planning for Methuen Day on the August agenda. Mr. Hatch seconded. Yes votes: Mr. Beagan, Ms. Blood, Ms. Lee, Ms. Vitale, Ms. DeBrocke. No votes, none. c) Speaking of Ms. Choquette’s vacancy, Mr. Hatch wants to have a discussion on how we can reach out to people to join the commission. He suggested a PSA about the talent bank on both the government and community channels of Methuen Community TV. Methuen Life was also suggested for a PSA. It was suggested that Mr. Hatch and Ms. Smallwood speak of it on Yes We Can. d) MS Lee spoke of Commission members appearing at the July 9 fireworks to advertise the commission the talent bank, and the survey. Discussion centered on having materials to pass out as well as something to identify participants as members of the commission. Ms. Smallwood offered to make T- shirts identifying members. Ms. Lee then suggested members get it touch with each other regarding coordination of the day. e) Ms. Lee then reviewed the agenda for the next meeting, to be held August 4. Adjournment: So moved: Mr. Hatch, Seconded: Mr. Beagan. Yes votes: Ms. Blood, Ms. DeBrocke, Ms. Lee, Ms. Smallwood, Ms. Vitale. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32.