Westport News

January 15, 2010 Approved Regular Meeting Minutes

Call to Order: A quorum being present, Chairperson Elaine Ostroff called the meeting to order at 10:05 am in the Town Hall Selectmen’s office. Members present: Stanley Cornwall, Richard Squire, Michael Ouimet, and Elaine Ostroff. Member absent: Selena Howard

Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Stanley Cornwall and seconded by Richard Squire to approve the minutes of December 18, 2010 as presented. The vote was unanimous.

Community Update
Michael Ouimet reported that he has been researching placard and plate issues with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. He stated that he has learned that the standard registration fees for new plates, renewal fees, and vehicle excise taxes are waived by the RMV for persons with handicapped plates. He further reported that a temporary placard can be issued to a handicapped plate holder to allow that person to access parking privileges when in a vehicle without plates. Additionally, although he has further checking to do, Michael Ouimet reported there may be a sales tax waiver on qualifying vehicles. The Chair suggested that more follow up be done with the RMV as well as the Massachusetts Commission on Disabilities to get a complete list of all such privileges. The consensus of the members was that this information needs to made more readily available and the public would be well served if the Commission published a “Did You Know” fact sheet on these and similar waivers.

Michael Ouimet also reported his concerns about fees currently being charged by a local distributor for emergency home heating propane deliveries. The Chair suggested that this matter be researched with the Massachusetts Commission on Disabilities.

The Chair reported that the Westport Free Public Library is hosting an open house tomorrow from 2-4pm to welcome the community to the new addition to the Library made possible through a substantial donation. The Chair mentioned Michael Guilmette purchased and donated $600 for two folding, wall-mounted grab bars for each of the accessible stalls in the Library’s two rest rooms.  The value of his contribution was over $600. Although not required by the ADA, the additional folding grab bar provides even better safety and security than the standard single, fixed grab bar and complies with the federal and state code provisions that sanction improvements that are equivalent to or exceed the code. The members viewed photographs of the installed grab bars.

Fundraising Update
The Chair reported that the brochure should be ready for the printer in a few weeks and that a total of $275.00 has been donated toward the printing cost including a donation from Stanley Cornwall.

Middle School Update
The Chair reported that she is still working on getting a date for herself and Michael Ouimet to tour the Middle School with the School Department’s Head of Maintenance. Michael Ouimet and the Chair agreed to include February 1^st and February 8^th, 2010 as possible tour dates.

New Members
The Chair reported that Shannon Reynolds will be sending her letter requesting appointment to the Commission for one of the two new seats that will be available in the event that the Selectmen agree to increase the size of the Commission. It was further reported that Michael Guilmette is not interested in seeking a seat at this time. Following discussion, it was the consensus of the members that if Commission membership is increased, vacancies should be advertised.

Beach Update
The Chair asked members to consider holding a joint meeting with the Beach Committee in February either at a Commission meeting or a Beach Committee regular meeting to discuss handicap accessibility issues at the Town Beach. It was agreed that both scenarios would be acceptable.

Michael Ouimet reported that he researched Horseneck State Beach handicapped access and found that there the State waives the standard parking fee for vehicles with handicap plates and/or placards. He further reported that there are beach wheelchairs available and the recent renovation gives good access to the facilities. The Chair suggested that this is another area where a fact sheet would be helpful for wider dissemination of this important information.

There was a question about the availability of the Town Beach wheelchair(s). Michael Ouimet agreed to look into this and report back at the next meeting.

Transition Plan Update
The Chair stated that Sharon Guay had to reschedule her meeting with the Commission to February 19, 2010 and then distributed a seven page handout on the Transition Plan that can serve as a source for member follow-up at that meeting. Other discussion topics for the meeting with Sharon Guay will include specific information on the overall process of the transition plan as well as the Commission’s proposed participation in selecting the consultant who will work with the Town on the Transition Plan.

There was some discussion about the various venues currently available in Westport for disseminating information about services available to persons with disabilities. These venues include the COA phonebook and monthly newsletter, the Watershed Alliance publications, and the two electronic newsletters including Everything Westport website and newsletter maintained by Alden Hill and Westport Happenings published by Robin Miranda. It was agreed that the Commission should look in to using the venues that already exist for publishing “Did You Know” type fact sheets. It was agreed that the Commission should also follow up on Michael Ouimet’s suggestion to explore Facebook as yet another way to connect people with current and up to date information.

Next meeting date, topics
Following discussion, it was the consensus that the next meeting of the Commission will be on February 5, 2010 and that meetings through June will be held according to the regular schedule on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month.

Topics for the next meeting will include Facebook, Town beach chair(s), brochure update, Transition Plan, Registry of Motor Vehicles plate/placard issues, and a review of existing publications.

Adjournment
Having no further business to discuss, it was moved by Stanley Cornwall and seconded by Richard Squire to adjourn at 11:35 am. The vote was unanimous. 

Next Meeting:  February 5, 2010 at 10am