Disabilities Planning Committee Minutes, February 3, 2009
Disabilities Planning Committee
Town of Westport
Minutes, February 3, 2009
Members absent: Norma Judson, Nelia Williams
Public attendees: Mike Guilmette
2. Meeting dates revised;
- February 24 changed to February 17
- March 17 – as scheduled, no change
- April 7 changed to March 31
- April 28 changed to April 14
3. Review and clarification of committee work prior to Town Meeting:
a) Presentation to Westport Business to Business March 19, 2009
b) Review of survey of people over 65 with COA Director Mary Ellen Gomes at February 17 meeting (Selena to arrange)
c) Interview Commissioners from other nearby towns ( Fall River, New Bedford, Dartmouth, Somerset, Swansea) with Disabilities Commission: Richard Squire and Selena Howard
d) Identify priorities for improvements in Town facilities:
- Discussion of Annex interior lift to second floor: report that it’s rarely if ever used. Concern that instructions were not posted; no nearby buzzer to signal upstairs departments for assistance. Moved by Selena Howard, 2nd by Ralph, unanimous vote to install buzzer, have publicized demonstration of use. Report at next meeting.
- Discussion of new microphones for BOS meetings, do they improve hearing for people at the meeting. The Selectmen may not know why they were provided. Elaine to ask and report at next meeting.
- Improved access at the Library will be presented at the next meeting.
e) Publicize efforts to community:
- Video taping of Westport Business to Business meeting on March 19, publicize on scroll and in newspapers
- Notices sent of meetings to newspapers
- Brochure for Town Meeting: in draft format, to be discussed at next meeting.
f) Prepare bylaws: these have been adapted and Denise will distribute prior to next meeting.
g) Prepare Warrant articles: Denise submitted 2 articles; one establishing Commission and the second – authorization for handicapped parking fees to go to the Commission to benefit people with disabilities.
h) Identify people willing to serve on Commission; names to be proposed to the BOS after Town meeting: several names were noted and this items to be discussed at future meetings. Members of the Committee were asked if they wanted to volunteer.
i) Prepare report for BOS update for March 9 meeting
4. The committee read aloud a number of additional completed surveys.
5. Notice of regional meeting of local Commissions on Disabilities to be held in Fall River on May 13. To be confirmed that Committee members may attend if the Commission members not yet appointed.
Town of Westport
Minutes, February 3, 2009
Members present: Denise Bouchard, Selena Howard, Ralph Sousa, Richard Squire, Elaine Ostroff
Members absent: Norma Judson, Nelia Williams
Public attendees: Mike Guilmette
Meeting called to order at 11:02 AM.
1. The minutes of January 13 were reviewed and approved. Denise moved to approve and Selena 2nd. Vote was unanimous.
2. Meeting dates revised;
- February 24 changed to February 17
- March 17 – as scheduled, no change
- April 7 changed to March 31
- April 28 changed to April 14
3. Review and clarification of committee work prior to Town Meeting:
a) Presentation to Westport Business to Business March 19, 2009
b) Review of survey of people over 65 with COA Director Mary Ellen Gomes at February 17 meeting (Selena to arrange)
c) Interview Commissioners from other nearby towns ( Fall River, New Bedford, Dartmouth, Somerset, Swansea) with Disabilities Commission: Richard Squire and Selena Howard
d) Identify priorities for improvements in Town facilities:
- Discussion of Annex interior lift to second floor: report that it’s rarely if ever used. Concern that instructions were not posted; no nearby buzzer to signal upstairs departments for assistance. Moved by Selena Howard, 2nd by Ralph, unanimous vote to install buzzer, have publicized demonstration of use. Report at next meeting.
- Discussion of new microphones for BOS meetings, do they improve hearing for people at the meeting. The Selectmen may not know why they were provided. Elaine to ask and report at next meeting.
- Improved access at the Library will be presented at the next meeting.
e) Publicize efforts to community:
- Video taping of Westport Business to Business meeting on March 19, publicize on scroll and in newspapers
- Notices sent of meetings to newspapers
- Brochure for Town Meeting: in draft format, to be discussed at next meeting.
f) Prepare bylaws: these have been adapted and Denise will distribute prior to next meeting.
g) Prepare Warrant articles: Denise submitted 2 articles; one establishing Commission and the second – authorization for handicapped parking fees to go to the Commission to benefit people with disabilities.
h) Identify people willing to serve on Commission; names to be proposed to the BOS after Town meeting: several names were noted and this items to be discussed at future meetings. Members of the Committee were asked if they wanted to volunteer.
i) Prepare report for BOS update for March 9 meeting
4. The committee read aloud a number of additional completed surveys.
5. Notice of regional meeting of local Commissions on Disabilities to be held in Fall River on May 13. To be confirmed that Committee members may attend if the Commission members not yet appointed.
Denise moved to adjourn and Selena 2nd. Vote was unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 12:15 PM. Next meeting is February 17, 2009 at 11:00 AM.
« BOS Agenda 03-09-09 | Main News Page | Westport Home Page | FinCom Minutes February 24, 2009 »