Commission for Diversity, Inclusion, & Community Relations

CDICR Minutes – Harvey Room – February 9, 2022 (Commission for Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations) Attendees: Andrea Baez (chair); Walter Connelly (sec); Suzaane Martucci-Gallo; Anthony Williams; John Morgan; Anita Preble (WPS Liason); Meredith Hurley (Public Health). Public participants: Lee Foley, Julia Wallerce. 1. Roll Call 6:05 PM 2. Update DPH Grant – Meredith Hurley (Winthrop Dept of Public Health)  01/29/22 Contract signed. Town has until June 30 to spend allocated funds of $449,000.  Surveys and focus groups targeted on marginalized groups not documented by usual means. Examining access to services such as mental health, food, housing. Target date of April 15 for completion.  John Morgan asked how gathered info would be communicated. Through Town Hall & Senior Center.  Police, Fire and EMS to receive Fair & Impartial Training (to recognize bias).  De-escalation training through Boston agency. 3. Transcript article on Winthrop Public Schools and NYU Culturally Responsive Learning audit  Clarification: this was a self-audit, not mandated or required, involving teachers from every level.  Does not include personal contribution of teachers, only official curriculum.  Warrants wider discussion and more context than article allowed. 4. Public Comment  Zoom enabled meetings would facilitate wider participation.  WPD Facebook account shared meme with inappropriate hashtags (#’s). Taken down promptly, but still poor judgement.  Pickup truck with Trump flag. While flying any large flag from a vehicle is a safety violation, the flag itself does not constitute hate speech and is protected under 1st amendment. 5. Minutes from D3ecember: moved by Suzanne, seconded by Anthony; passed. 6. Green & Cooper Tree Memorial  Organized by Bob and Amy Campbell thru “Go Fund Me”. 7. 7:00 PM Adjourned Note: Commission intends to meet on 2nd Wednesday of the month. Submitted by Sec Walter Connelly