Committee Concerning People with Disabilities

COMMITTEE CONCERNING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES MEETING MINUTES City of Middletown 61 Durant Terrace – Recreation/Community Service Building March 6, 2018 6:00 PM 1. Members Present: Marty Knight/Chairperson, Joe Carta (via phone), Richard Pelletier, Elderrean Paules, Dr. Helen Evrard, Phil Cacciola, Joseph Bibisi and August DeFrance. Absent: Keith Vinci. Staff Present: Catherine Lechowicz – Director of Recreation and Community Services General Public: none 2. Meeting Called to Order: Called to order at 6:01pm. 3. Public Hearing: none 4. Approval of Minutes: A motion to approve the meeting minutes of February 6, 2018, was made by August DeFrance and seconded by Richard Pelletier. The motion carried with Joseph Bibisi abstaining. Departmental Reports:  Elderrean Paules stated that the door bells seem to be working well at Monarca Place. A new tenant moved in and it is a woman. A discussion ensued.  Richard Pelletier stated that he received an email and the school committee will be meeting later this month. The architectural renderings can begin. A discussion ensued.  Dr. Helen Evrard stated that she put the Lions event on WESU. She also stated that she can assist with advertising any events or information. Dr. Evrard found a ticket book for ADA Paratransit services. A discussion ensued  August DeFrance stated that he did not have anything to discuss because the next meeting isn’t until tomorrow night. A discussion ensued.  Joe Bibisi stated that the warming shelter is overfilled. They are averaging 35 people a night. There were 2 overdoses but they were saved with Narcan. If they do not get the CBDG grant, they will have to close the warming shelter early. They are supposed to get $10,000. The budget is $40,000. A discussion ensued.  Joe Carta stated that he did not have anything to discuss.  Phil Cacciola stated that they are having the groundbreaking ceremony for the Shepard Home on Wednesday, April 4th at 10am at the site. This facility is supposed to be for veterans. There are 32 units at the Shepards Home. The Columbus House, the City and the Housing Authority have all given funding for this facility. This is going to be permanent housing for veterans. There was a question posed about accessibility for the ice skating rink. A discussion ensued.  Cathy Lechowicz stated that she would accommodate anyone with a disability who is interested in skating. Lisa Santangelo stated that she would be in attendance at next month’s meeting. Cathy also stated that she contacted the state inquiring about this issue but hasn’t heard back yet. The brochure is all set and will be delivered all around town. It will be dropped off at City Hall, Russell Library and other locations as well. A discussion ensued. Old Business New Business: Miscellaneous:  August DeFrance just came back from Costa Rica. He went to a resort which was an all- inclusive. He noticed that there was no one with a disability. He also said that there were no accommodations anywhere on this resort. There were stairs everywhere and no grab bars in the showers. A discussion ensued.  Marty Knight stated that on April 30, 2018, both Keith Vinci and Marty’s terms expire. A letter has to be sent to the Mayor’s office to indicate that you both want to remain on this committee. A motion to extend Keith and Marty’s terms on the Committee Concerning People with Disabilities was made by August DeFrance and seconded by Joseph Bibisi. The motion carried. Adjournment: A motion of adjournment was made by Phil Cacciola and was seconded by Elderrean Paules. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:31 pm. Respectfully submitted, Laura Bruni Runte