Commission For Persons With Disabilities

Commission for Persons with Disabilities Regular Meeting Minutes November 3, 2016 6:00 PM Present: Chair Michael Menders, George Chaput, Lottie Scott, Cynthia Litton, Jane O’Friel, Janelle Daly and Lisa Harrison Absent: Kevin Harkins Others Present: Kim Rogers Call to Order: Chair Michael Menders called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present (7/8). Introduction to new Recording Secretary Ivery Stakley. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by George Chaput, seconded by Jane O’Friel, the minutes from the October 6, 2016 Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) meeting were approved as presented. Citizen Comments: None Communications: None Old Business: Sidewalk condition observations to report to Department of Public Works (DPW): George and Michael discussed the curb cuts on the sidewalk in front of Otis Library. George looked at the library between the curb cuts. If you do use them to get a wheelchair out, you’d have to be in the street. Otherwise they would lose a parking spot. Michael has seen the vans unload onto the sidewalk. Michael has also seen a handicapped individual get into his wheelchair on the passenger side of his car onto the sidewalk. Audible Crosswalk Alert Tones: Cynthia noticed that the alert tones for crosswalks sounds like a backup alarm. Michael observed that all the crosswalks have the same tones. Discuss Next Informational Program: Backus Hospital is having an event called ‘Get Moving to Control Diabetes’. Jane presented the event and offered the group a table which they accepted. Everyone will try to attend. The event will be on November 16th 5-7pm inside of the Backus Outpatient Care Center. Lisa needs the name changed from Reliance House, Inc. to Reliance Health, Inc. on the CPD Brochure. Discuss Plans for next Guest Speaker: Cynthia spoke with Laurie McElwee and cancelled the speaker until Michael could speak with her. Lisa wants to offer Becca from ArtReach for the December 1st meeting and move Laurie to the March meeting. Becca from Outreach is the backup plan. The next guest speaker will appear March 2nd. Michael will contact Lisa if Laurie is unavailable. New Business: Discuss Disabled Persons Issues: Michael notified commissioners that he received an email from Mayor’s office regarding his official request for an effective communication plan for the city. The mayor’s office thought the committee would write the policy Michael responded and is waiting for a reply. The committee unanimously does not approve of commission writing policies for city departments. Cynthia agrees but says they are willing to review. They continued to discuss the importance of an effective communication policy regarding Sensory Impairment. George wants more guest speakers especially those in law enforcement. Lottie wants it to be safer to cross the street, and make the city safer in general before there is an accident, Jane seconded it, and George also agreed. Michael reminded the CPD that he spoke to Officer Barrows at NPD. George noted that he read the driver training manual on the State’s website. It specifically referred to crosswalks and pedestrians walking in intersections. Vehicles are expected to come to a complete stop. He wants to raise awareness of pedestrian safety within the city. Michael will attend a City Council meeting with Lottie and speak during open forum regarding the safety of pedestrians and promoting Norwich as a pedestrian friendly city. Michael will write year end summary report of Commission and have it prepared for review during the next meeting. Adjournment: On a motion from Lottie Scott, seconded by Cynthia Litton, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM. The next meeting will be at 6 PM on Thursday, December 1st, 2016 at Norwich City Hall in Room 319. Meeting Minutes Written by Ivery Stakley on November 2016.