Meeting of Jan. 23, 2017

Westport Commission on Disabilities

Present: Chair Stanley Cornwall, members Rose Rego, Martin Costa, Robert Alves, and Brian Gallagher via conference call. Also present were commission consultant Jeff Bull, guest Kim Legendre and recording clerk Robert Barboza. A quorum of members being present at 3:50 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mr. Cornwall.

Mr. Cornwall noted his receipt of a written request from Mr. Gallagher to take part in the meeting via a telephone conference connection, as required by town remote participation policy. Mr. Alves made a motion to allow the remote participation by Mr. Gallagher, seconded by Ms. Rego, which was approved by unanimous vote of those present. The roll call vote was: Mr. Alves, aye; Ms. Rego, aye; Mr. Costa, aye; Mr. Cornwall, aye.

A motion to approve the minutes of the Nov. 28, 2016 meeting as presented was made by Ms. Rego and seconded by Mr. Alves. The vote was unanimous, 5-0.

Mr. Cornwall indicated that Kim Legendre of the Westport Special Education Parents Advisory Council had been in contact about possible use of commission donations for special education student activities and programs, and had been invited to the meeting to discuss some ideas. As she was not present, Mr. Alves made a motion to allow Mr. Cornwall to continue informal talks with her, seconded by Ms. Rego; the guest arrived at that time, and the motion and second withdrawn without a vote.

The chairman reported that inquiries at the Kennedy-Donovan Center in New Bedford discovered two Westport residents receiving services there. Both were considered to be “in need of assistance” with expenses related to those services, he indicated, asking for consideration of a motion to spend $2,000 in donated funds in the gift account for financial assistance for those two residents. A motion to expend $1,000 in donated funds and $1,000 from the commission savings account for that purpose was made by Ms. Rego, and seconded by Mr. Costa; the vote to approve was unanimous.

Mr. Costa reported on his visit to the Greenwood Terrace Housing Authority property to discuss a needs list for potential grant funding. He suggested an automatic door opener for a fully-accessible unit would be one item; a wheelchair ramp leading to some entrances was another item mentioned.

Ms. Legendre came to the table to discuss the special education advisory group, which she said has not been active for a while. The school’s new special education director, Elaine Santos, is eager to help her get the advisory committee revived, she said. The two will start work on a possible needs list for small projects or class materials. The Ms. Legendre indicated. There was general agreement that the reformed group should be advised that the Commission on Disabilities would reserve up to $1,000 in grant money for their recommended uses for school programs.

Mr. Cornwall reported the receipt of a fourth $1,000 donation from the same Westport couple that has already donated $3,000 to the gift account. A discussion of proposals of previous options for grants led to the Go Fund Me campaign of a Westport single mother seeking assistance securing a service dog; she has raised less than $2,000 of the $6,000 to $8,000 goal, he indicated. Mr. Gallagher made a motion to appropriate $1,000 in donated funds in the gift account for the veteran’s appeal, seconded by Mr. Alves; the vote was unanimous.

There was some discussion of the revised parking plan for the town-owned Head of Westport landing property. Mr. Bull indicated he would represent the commission’s interests in advocating for the relocation of a handicapped van parking space at the next Landing Commission meeting. For general information purposes, former member Judy Beavan reported a new Google maps feature that indicates which public places are handicapped accessible. There was no new information on the request to the State Road post office for improved handicapped accessibility, or from state legislators asked to look into the matter.

On the matter of the 2011 ADA review summary, it was noted that the town ADA Committee is being re-formed, and still has not yet been called to meet. Two delegates from the commission have been appointed to that subcommittee. The next meeting date was set for Feb. 27, to be held at the Town Hall Annex.

A motion to adjourn came at 4:45 p.m. from Mr. Gallagher, seconded by Mr. Alves; the vote was unanimous.