Commission on Disabilities

COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 98 WASHINGTON STREET, 3RD FLOOR Dominick Pangallo SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 Mayor 978-619-5630 MINUTES OF THE SALEM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES JUNE 20, 2023 A meeting of the Salem Commission on Disabilities was held on June 20, 2023, at 4:30 p.m., via ZOOM, an online video conference call system in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023. Present on call were: Chair Debra Lobsitz; Commissioners: Maureen McKinnon, David Moisan, Mandee Spittle, Kate Zuraw; Lisa Cammarata, ADA Coordinator, HR Director, Alan Hanscom, SAtv, Jeff Cohen, City Council Liaison and Clerk Joanne Roomey (noted by last name in the minutes). Absent were: Darren Black, Rebecca Christie, Ezekiel Holt and Kerry Neenan. 1) Introductions/welcome Lobsitz called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. and she extended a welcome to everyone. Each commissioner and invited guest introduced themselves. 2) Approval of Meeting Minutes of May 16, 2023 meeting The Commission on Disabilities will hold off until next month to vote on the minutes. 3) New Business Outdoor dining survey discussion – Cammarata said one of the things they are doing that has a big impact is the survey for outdoor dining. This is to make sure there are no accessibility issues and that they are all ADA compliant. The commission is pairing up and will visit the restaurants to look for features they may or may not have and evaluate accessibility issues and how they can correct them. The City of Salem prides itself on accessibility for ALL with their compassion, education and guidance. The Building Department will enforce any of the issues the commission finds. Spittle said there was an issue at Winter Island, there is only one parking spot that is accessible. There are no signage and people constantly park there. She wanted to know if there was something we could do to keep that area open and accessible, possibly cones or signs. 1 4) Old Business a. ADA Transition Plan: Cammarata discussed the budget and wanted to see where the commission is regarding their projects, ADA compliance and accessibility. Lobsitz said after the Transition Plan was adopted, every department had a line item for accessibility. All departments are working with awareness and money to make accessibility improvements. b. Project funding: Cammarata Cammarata said they received the two picnic tables for Mack Park and they are beautiful, sturdy, and fit great and would like to purchase a third one. There is $4,198.47 for the Mary Jane Lee Park to finish the work for the foam to make it completely accessible. c. Social Media; David Moisan No new updates d. Pedestrian Safety Salem Safe Walking Advocacy Group (SWAG) will be holding its next meeting on Saturday, July 8th at the Common Gazebo at 10:00 a.m. regarding pedestrian safety. For more information, please click on the link: www.salemswag.com Salem SWAG is a grassroots pedestrian advocacy group devoted to enhancing the transit experience for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. e. SCOD representative to Salem Human Rights Coalitions/Kerry Neenan (alternates: McKinnon and Christie) No new updates f. Mack Park Food Farm accessibility and picnic tables; Rebecca Christie Cammarata said we received the new picnic tables and they are getting put together as we speak. g. Wheelchair Rental Program; update/follow-up Spittle got some prices for foldable transportation chairs; they are pretty flimsy and they have thin wheels. She does not think they would do very well with cobblestones and bricks. She found other ones with a warranty in case anything brakes and they would ship to us for $288 per chair. They are a little more expensive, but they have a double cross bar under the seat, large rear wheels, larger front wheel and footrests. The cushions come separately. 2  McKinnon said Justin Haber would volunteer his time to assemble and fix any chairs needed. She said she has delt with SpinLife for the last 28 years and will contact them to see if they could get a better price since we are a municipality. McKinnon will follow up with the totals for the wheelchairs and with Destination Salem regarding the rental process. The commission will vote on a limit to spend on wheelchairs at the next meeting. h. Canal St. pathway: a request of using funds to add entrance/exit indicators for the visually impaired; Jeff Cohen, follow-up, if needed/clarification No new updates. i. Advisory Group Open Space and Recreation Plan; Tom Devine; Senior Planner; (or Lobsitz) Lobsitz said there were no meetings scheduled at a time that she could attend. She will follow up with different dates. j. Beep Baseball update; Darren Black No recent updates. 5) Next meeting: July 18, 2023 6) Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Commission on Disabilities this evening, Zuraw moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Moisan. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion was carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joanne M. Roomey Commission Clerk Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A §18-25 and City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033 3