Commission on Disability

City of Methuen, Massachusetts Commission on Disability The Searles Building, 41 Pleasant Street, Suite 306 Methuen, Massachusetts 01844 February 9, 2023 Meeting Minutes Location: Quinn Building 90 Hampshire St. Methuen, MA 01844 in Sanborn Hall 1. Call to Order and Attendance: Meeting called to order at 7:04pm. Present Members: Eileen Lee, Chairperson, Victoria Debrocke, Treasurer, Maryann Vitale, secretary, Cindy Ciofolo, Kevin Hatch, Anne Gachohu, Sandy Almonte, ADA Coordinator. Not in attendance: Ashley Smallwood, Deb Blood. Quorum was met. Also in attendance: Felix Garcia, Deputy Director of DPW 2. Public Participation: Krista McLeod, Nevins Library Director. Ms. McLeod, on behalf of Nevin’s Memorial Library, presented additional information regarding the purpose of grant request of $1615.00 from MCOD for the purchase of the software package Fusion by Freedom Scientific to be installed on 3 of the library’s public PCs. Ms. McLeod 3. Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting: A motion was passed unanimously to accept the minutes of November 2022 meeting with correction of Range Rd to Ranger Rd in section 5. Motion: Mr. Hatch, second: Ms. Ciofolo. Ms. Lee – yes, Ms. Vitale – yes, Ms. Gachohu – yes. 4. Treasurer’s Report: Due to email issue, no update available to Treasurer’s report. A motion was passed unanimously to table Treasurer’s report till next meeting. Motion: Mr. Hatch, second: Ms. Ciofolo. Ms. Lee – yes, Ms. Vitale – yes, Ms. Gachohu – yes 5. ADA’s Coordinator’s Report/ See-Click-Fix Updates: Mr. Bower reported on See-Click-Fix. Mr. Bower reported touring several sites of issue with Ms. Almonte. a) City engineer should address DPW regarding Merrimack St and curb ramps. There is a state project for 2023-2024. Mr. Bower will follow-up with Mr. Gene Walsh. b) One Ranger Rd, Methuen High School. Curb ramp requirement not met. Mr. Bower asked city engineer to hire surveyor regarding public and private lot issues for curb repair issue. Mr. Bower reported project with transportation engineers to look at 20 different intersections of the city and improving obvious needs. Ms. Ciofolo questioned how intersections will be prioritized. Mr. Bower stated police, city and accident reports will help with determination. Ms. Ciofolo expressed concerns with sidewalks at dangerous intersections. c) Nevins Library to add accessible spot for electric car charging. Mr. Bower, Ms. Almonte and Mr. Walsh toured the area. Issues of a tree location in desired spot, historical factors and requirements of accessible space are concerning factors. d) Accessibility ramp and parking issues at Methuen High School. The fire department and inspectional services to look at the entrance of the loop area of the grounds. Determination of available spots to utilize. e) Chick-Fil-a, 73 Pleasant Valley St accessible door placement to be re-addressed due to discrepancy in meeting regulations on state and city level. Ms. Lee, Ms. Smallwood and the Mayor to meet with restaurant manager on January 27, 2023. f) Tenney Grammar School, 75 Pleasant St, inspectional services to consult on curb ramp issue. Ms. Almonte and Mr. Bower toured area. Architectural access board to be notified regarding removal or to make reasonable accommodations. g) Harvard Ave sidewalk issue needs reaching out to those power companies to remove utility poles but it is a lengthy process. Ms. Ciofolo questioned compliance issues prior to installing new poles. Mr. Bower reported the city engineer goes to the City Council for permission of installation of new poles. Ms. Lee suggested MCOD to write to utility companies that ADA compliance is not being met and are being put on notice. h) Piedmont St electrical poles and fire hydrant placement issue. Mr. Bower reported fire hydrants in city control but time frame to replace hydrants is lengthy. Mr. Bower reported proposing to the Mayor to use savings account in the Enterprise Fund, from water bills, to purchase 2-3 years of hydrants and pipes for easier access to use, repair or move. i) Merrimack St sidewalks to be brought up to code issue. Mr. Bower informed that funding from Chpt 90 is for roadwork to be done and using Chpt 90 funds requires making sidewalks compliant. j) Senior Center sidewalk. Mr. Bower stated to create sidewalk and crosswalk would also require a blinking light for safety. k) Maple St. sidewalk issue. Mr. Bower reported funding issue for resolution. Ms. Lee to reach out to Mayor. l) Tenney School push door opener issue resolved.  m) Howe St sidewalk at Merrimack Valley Golf Course exceeding maximum cross grade side slope. Mr. Bower and Ms. Almonte to reach out to Mr. Harris regarding his concern. n) Mice infestation issue is not DPW issue. Mr. Bower to reach out to Mr. Walsh. Mr. Bower reported projects in process: sidewalk around Searles Building and Elmwood Cemetery ADA compliance issues. Mr. Bower explained funding process of DPW applying for grant money from MCOD because ADA compliance is priority. Ms. Lee reported funds provided by MCOD to Forest Lake playground project. Funding application is available on website and to be part of Mayor’s Minutes. Ms. Gachohu added that MCOD needs to be visible. 6. Old Business: a) Update from DPW & SeeClickFix on specifics of issues to be addressed. (see above) b) Update on the subcommittee meeting to begin planning for MCOD All Abilities Basketball Tournament. Ms. Smallwood provided update via email to MCOD: We need to schedule next subcommittee zoom meeting and then reach out to MCTV for their availability. Two donors are tentatively set to cover cost of t-shirts and refreshments. Date is tentative for April and venue has not been finalized yet. c) Chick-Fil-A update (see above) d) Election of new MCOD Secretary. Ms. Lee nominated Ms. Vitale. Ms. Vitale accepted nomination. Ms. Ciofolo – yes, Mr. Hatch – yes, Ms. Gachohu – yes. 7. New Business a) Review of recent survey responses. Ms. Smallwood provided update via email to MCOD: Specific suggestions received were to save money and let funds grow to use on a large project, peer support groups with disabilities and using money to increase number of accessible bathrooms in city and in restaurants. b) Discussion on potential future funding allocations. Motion unanimously passed to table discussion to next meeting. Motion: Ms. Ciofolo, second: Mr. Hatch. Ms. Lee – yes, Ms. Vitale– yes, Ms. Gachohu – yes. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn passed unanimously. Motion: Ms. Ciofolo, second: Mr. Hatch. The meeting was adjourned at 8:52m.