Committee Concerning People with Disabilities

COMMITTEE CONCERNING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES MEETING MINUTES City of Middletown 61 Durant Terrace February 7, 2023 6:00 PM 1. Members Present: Marty Knight/Chairperson, Phil Cacciola, Elderrean Paules, Keith Vinci, Joe Bibisi, Richard Pelletier (Via Phone) Absent: Molly Carta, August DeFrance Staff Present: Catherine Lechowicz – Director of Recreation and Community Services General Public: none 2. Meeting Called to Order: Called to order at 6:04pm. 3. Public Hearing: none 4. Approval of Minutes: A motion to approve the meeting minutes of January 10, 2023, was made by Phil Cacciola and seconded by Elderrean Paules. Keith Vinci pointed out how well his piece was received during the Unified Theater presentation and how well the CRiTTERS concert went at Christmastime. The motion carries. Departmental Reports:  Elderrean Paules stated that there is 1 apartment vacant at Monarca Place. The sprinkler heads froze due to the deep freeze last weekend and it created a water mess. Due to the water damage, the carpets needed to be dried and certain rugs were moved. These were things that Ellie has used to guide her to the front door that were now gone. This has created difficulty for Ellie to get to the front door. A discussion ensued.  Joe Bibisi stated that the homeless are going to the Wesley Motel and Suites. They are averaging about 35 homeless people every night. They bus people from the North End to Wesley Inn and Suites so that they can sleep there but they have to be out by 7am. A discussion ensued.  Richard Pelletier stated that the multiple school roof project and track and field are moving along. We are having an upcoming meeting where they will discuss the cost of the track and field contract. Also, 80 Harbor Drive is moving along. A discussion ensued.  Phil Cacciola stated that he doesn’t have anything to report. They are waiting for better weather to move along with Monarca Place. They are looking towards spring to have the generator working. A discussion ensued.  Keith Vinci stated that the laws on the books for interpreters are very restricted right now. The laws need to be opened up a little bit more so that the people with certain levels of certification can work in the state. This will also allow opportunities for younger interpreters, who are waiting for testing results, to have an opportunity to work with a provisional license. A discussion ensued.  Cathy Lechowicz stated that there was 1 ADA issue. A disabled woman called Laura to complain that the railing was removed from her stoop and has not yet been replaced and it has been months. Laura called Carrabetta Property Management and was told that it will be replaced in the spring. The Mayor appointed Laurie McFadden to the Committee Concerning People with Disabilities. She will receive a letter from the Mayor’s office and be sworn in. A discussion ensued. Old Business: New Business: Miscellaneous:  Elderrean Paules asked Phil if he was on the Housing Commission. She asked Phil to have the Middletown Housing Authority put out a letter or instructions on what should be done if there is a fire emergency. Ellie stated that people from Monarca Place used the elevator when the fire alarm went off last week and they shouldn’t have. Cathy stated that there should be an emergency plan. A discussion ensued.  Phil Cacciola stated that Ocean State Job Lot has been very generous to the veterans. They gave the veterans 100 coats, backpacks, and dolls that have disabilities. The dolls are to be given out to people as a support. The dolls have crutches and a prosthetic leg. Phil asked Cathy to shop around to see where the dolls can be given out. Phil stated that there are 50 dolls to be given out. A discussion ensued.  Phil Cacciola made a motion stating that he thinks that the Committee Concerning People with Disabilities should send a letter of gratitude and thanks to Joe Carta for his many years serving on this committee. Elderrean Paules seconded that motion. The motion carries.  Phil Cacciola stated that there is an upcoming election at the end of the month. Cathy stated that the Town Clerk is coming to the Senior Center for an informational session. A discussion ensued. Adjournment: A motion of adjournment was made by Phil Cacciola and was seconded by Joe Bibisi. The motion carries. The meeting adjourned at 6:41 pm. Respectfully submitted, Laura Bruni Runte