Commission For Persons With Disabilities

Commission for Persons with Disabilities Regular Meeting Minutes June 1st, 2017 6:00 PM Present: Chair Michael Menders, George Chaput, Lottie Scott, Kevin Harkins, and Jane O’Friel Absent: Cynthia Litton, Janelle Daly Others Present: Sergeant Jonathan Ley 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 (5/7). Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Jane, seconded by George, the minutes from the May 4th 2017 Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) meeting were approved as presented. Citizen Comments: None Communications: None Guest Speaker: Sergeant 1st Class Jonathan Ley from the Norwich Police Department Jon Ley runs the training & selections unit, hiring new employees. The Norwich Police Department would hire anyone who meets the qualifications and the department would provide reasonable accommodations. Jon is open and prepared to hire disabled persons for a position at the department. The department already has disabled employees including a dispatcher who is hearing impaired but wears hearing aids, and someone else has MS and works the desk. There are specific qualifications needed to become a police officer, but if they could properly use a weapon and pass the physical a disabled person can become a police officer. A disabled person with arm trouble was hired because he can still do the work required. Jon is personally disabled because he was shot 5 times in 2013. He acts as a mentor to other officers in the department by sharing his experiences. One of the biggest issues the Police Department faces is helping disabled persons in need. Currently there is no one at the department who understands sign language. He would like to send someone to a sign language class. If the department needs to find an interpreter they usually call the Mohegan Sun Casino because one of their employees will usually speak the language. They work with human services and other agencies to provide help to those in need. He told many different true stories involving disabled persons and problems they face daily. Kevin asked about wheel chair accidents and Jon said there is about 1 incident per year of a car and wheelchair having an accident. Michael shared how the committee is working to have Norwich become a pedestrian friendly city. The committee wants to raise awareness, and for drivers to become more patient. Many disabled persons live in Norwich because there are many social services available. Jon would like more signs throughout the city to make drivers more aware of pedestrians. George said the main problem is the casino traffic, including people from out of town. Lottie said Norwich has a problem with driving and speeding. She believes there must be a campaign to make the city safer by giving out more tickets. The city has a responsibility to stop it, by putting pressure on the drivers and giving out tickets. She says the best way to start is with a welcome sign into the city. She has always felt safe in this city but today’s traffic makes her feel unsafe. The cops can’t be everywhere but the cameras throughout the city help. But Jon says unless there is an accident they cannot ticket driving infractions caught on camera. John agrees there needs to be a zero-tolerance day downtown, but the state law says that officers cannot be forced to give tickets. Jon said he will recommend this idea to the police chief. Lottie wants to change the way people think with a marketing tool by teaching them to be proud of their city, a public service campaign. Jon says the police department needs help and ideas to help solve these problems. No one at the Norwich Police Department has a marketing degree so they appreciate ideas from the community. Jon asked to be invited again next month. Old Business: Sidewalk condition observations to report to Department of Public Works (DPW): Michael noticed that the sidewalk on Chelsea Parade South is deteriorating. Pedestrian Friendly Community Discussion: Lottie and George are planning to go a Public Safety Committee meeting. They will contact the committee ahead of time to ask to be put on the agenda. New Business: Discuss Disabled Persons Issues: Kevin had contact with Judy Daily who extended an invitation to the committee to attend the 25th annual meeting house rock festival, on August 26th and they want nonprofit org involved. It is 11am-4pm with First Congregational Church and it will be on the Norwich Town Green. Adjournment: On a motion from Kevin, seconded by Lottie, the meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM. The next meeting will be at 6 PM on Thursday, June 1st, 2017 at Norwich City Hall in Room 319. Meeting Minutes Written by Ivery Stakley on June 1st, 2017.