Westport News

August 20, 2009 Approved Regular Meeting Minutes

Members present: Elaine Ostroff, Mike Ouimet, Stanley Cornwall
Members absent: Dick Squire, Selena Howard
Call to Order: A quorum being present, members convened the meeting at the Westport Town Hall at 10:35 am.
Announcements: Elaine Ostroff announced that The Town has been notified that it will receive federal grant funds to update the Town’s ADA transition plan. Elaine also mentioned that Denise Bouchard, the Town’s ADA Coordinator, should be included on the Commission’s distribution list.

Commission organization: Following discussion of a mutually agreeable meeting schedule, it was moved by Stanley Cornwall and seconded by Mike Ouimet to hold regular Commission meetings on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 10:30am at the Town Hall in the second floor meeting room. The motion passed 3-0-0. Meeting dates are as follows through the end of December 2009: September 17^th, October 1^st, October 15^th, November 5^th, November 19^th, December 3^rd and December 17^th. Members agreed that this schedule is tentative and may be revised later if necessary.
There was discussion regarding Commission officers. There was consensus that a chair, vice-chair, and secretary-treasurer would be appropriate. It was moved by Stanley Cornwall and seconded by Michael Ouimet that Elaine Ostroff be elected as Commission Chairperson. The motion passed 3-0-0.
There was discussion concerning the duties of a Vice Chair and Secretary-Treasurer. It was suggested that the Vice Chair’s duties could include assisting the Chairperson on various Commission tasks as well as substituting for the Chair when needed. The Secretary-Treasurer’s duties could include submitting bills and reimbursements, posting meetings, sending notices to newspapers in advance of the meeting, and putting approved minutes and notices on the website. It was then moved by Stanley Cornwall and seconded by Michael Ouimet to draft job descriptions for the two positions before taking further action. The motion passed 3-0-0.
At the chair’s request, members gave a brief autobiographical overview highlighting their individual involvement with disabilities issues and their interest in serving on the Commission.

Discussion of Priorities: The Chair asked members to envision outcomes that would evidence Commission success a year from now. Members suggested several success indicators including:
·         Removal of barriers in Westport
·         Focus on solutions instead of problems
·         The Town’s embrace of the disabled community
·         Increased community awareness
·         Awareness and outreach efforts that promote support such as a COD logo or successful 4^th of July community event
·         A positive improvement for even just one disabled person who has been made to feel/be better because of our work
·         The dispelling of fears, concerns, or negative preconceived notions relative to having a Commission on Disabilities
·         People coming forward to express their thanks that we have this resource
The Chair then asked members to suggest appropriate “next steps” for the Commission. Ideas included
·         school related outreach
·         finding mentors 
·         having people come together….knowing that there is help

Other Matters: The Chair called attention to a number of available brochures and other literature. There was also discussion concerning the potential benefit of joining Westport Business to Business as a visibility and networking strategy. It was moved by Mike Ouimet and seconded by Stanley Cornwall to approve an expenditure of $50.00 for membership in Westport Business of Business. The motion passed 3-0-0.
The Commission considered an offer from Margot DesJardins to serve as volunteer recording secretary. It was moved by Stanley Cornwall and seconded by Mike Ouimet to accept her offer of volunteer services for recording and distributing minutes of Commission meetings. The motion passed 3-0-0.