Westport News

December 18, 2009 Approved Regular Meeting Minutes

Call to Order: A quorum being present, Chairperson Elaine Ostroff called the meeting to order at 10:10 am in the Town Hall Selectmen’s office. Members present: Stanley Cornwall, Richard Squire, Michael Ouimet, Elaine Ostroff, and Selena Howard
Members absent: none

Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Selena Howard and seconded by Stanley Cornwall to approve the minutes of November 20, 2009 as amended by inserting the words “to the Town” following “funding” in the New Business section on page 3. The vote was unanimous. It was then moved by Stanley Cornwall and seconded by Richard Squire that meeting minutes be verbally relayed to Selena Howard. The vote was unanimous.

Community Input
The Chair reported that she spoke with the Town ADA Coordinator about the Commission’s interest in highlighting the top and bottom steps of Town Buildings with tape or paint to accommodate those with visual impairments. The ADA Coordinator stated that since the Town Hall steps are made of slate, painting is not an option. The Chair stated that she located found some stair tape that might be suitable. It was the consensus of the Commission that the Chair should send for tape samples.

Fundraising
The Chair reported she met with the Town Accountant to discuss Commission accounts and the Commission will have three accounts: 1) the appropriated Town budget account 2) the parking fines account and 3) a gift account to be approved by the Board of Selectmen, called the “Accessibility Gift Account”. The Chair will revise the wording on the brochure to alert potential donors to insert the phrase accessibility gift account on their check memo line.

Transition Plan Update
The Chair reminded Commissioners that the Town has received a Community Development Block Grant to rehabilitate homes and update the ADA Transition Plan. She stated that Sharon Gay is coordinating the entire grant for the Town. The Chair stated that one of the Commission’s roles will be to assist in selecting the consultant who will be hired to do the Transition Plan update. 

The Chair told Commissioners that there might also be an opportunity for Commissioners to receive Transition Plan training and asked everyone to think about training components that would interest them.  Selena Howard suggested that the Council on Aging should be involved in the Transition Plan update.

Following discussion, it was moved by Selena Howard and seconded by Stanley Cornwall to invite Sharon Gay and COA Director Mary Ellen Gomes to attend the Commission’s next meeting on January 15, 2010 to discuss the Transition Plan update.

Middle School Update
The Chair reported that she had been contacted by Michael Duarte, the Head of Maintenance for the school department, and that he offered to do a walk-through with Commissioners to look at entrance issues at the Middle School. It was agreed to ask Mr. Duarte for a walk-through on the 18^th or 25^th of January. The Chair will get back to members with a time.

Beach Update
Stanley Cornwall presented a diagram of the parking lot at Cherry and Webb beach. He measured the parking lot and calculated that there are approximately 85 parking spaces. Michael Ouimet stated that ADA guidelines for a 75-100 space parking lot require 4 handicapped parking spaces with one space to be van accessible. There was also discussion regarding access to the beach from the lot and what equipment, if any, is available to transport someone along the path from the lot to the beach. Following discussion, it was moved by Michael Ouimet and seconded by Selena Howard to collect information about policies at the State Horseneck Beach facility and the availability of handicapped accessibility equipment at both the Town Beach and Horseneck Beach. The vote was unanimous. It was agreed that the information will be reviewed at the next meeting when the Commission also considers setting a date for a joint meeting with the Beach Committee.

Brochure Update
Copies of the brochure were distributed. There was discussion regarding minor wording changes and the Commission’s preference for a full color brochure. It was moved by Selena Howard and seconded by Michael Ouimet to approve the final design for the brochure as presented with minor wording changes to be made by the Chairperson as needed. The vote was unanimous.

New Members
The Chair mentioned Shannon Reynolds’ interest in becoming a Commission member. The Chair also reminded Commissioners that Michael Guilmette, who did so much of the groundwork to create the Commission, was not appointed as a Commissioner by the Selectmen because of his residency status. Following discussion, it was moved by Stanley Cornwall and seconded by Michael Ouimet for the Chair to submit a request to the Board of Selectmen to increase the from five to seven members and to reconsider the appointment of Michael Guilmette as a Commissioner.

Adjournment: Having no further business to discuss, it was moved by Richard Squire and seconded by Stanley Cornwall to adjourn the meeting at 11:15 am. The vote was unanimous.