Meeting of Feb. 27, 2017

Westport Commission on Disabilities

Members present: Stanley Cornwall, Raymond Phenix, Martin Costa, Rose Rego, and Brian Gallagher via teleconference call. Consultant Jeff Bull and recording clerk Robert Barboza also present.

1. The meeting was called to order at 3:45 p.m. by Mr. Cornwall.
2. A motion made by Ms. Rego to allow Mr. Gallagher to participate in the meeting via telephone was seconded by Mr. Phenix and approved by unanimous vote.
3. The minutes of the Jan. 23, 2017 meeting were read over the phone to Mr. Gallagher by Ms. Rego, who then made a motion that they be accepted as read. Mr. Phenix seconded the motion, which was approved by unanimous vote.
4. Grants status: Mr. Cornwall noted that four previous votes on grant commitments had been made at past meetings, allocating funds for wheelchair purchases; school special education programs; subsidies for daily care programs for residents attending the Kennedy-Donovan Center; and the acquisition of a seizure dog for a Westport veteran. He noted receipt of a letter of thanks from the town nurse, and urged reconsideration of the vote to donate to special education programs due to the lack of response from school officials; the parent group We Two should be considered for the funding instead, he suggested. Mr. Cornwall reported that a town veteran is also sending in another $1,000 donation to the commission; a suggestion that the funds be used for veterans services was raised, and members agreed that a proposal from the Westport VFW post be solicited.
5. Head of Westport parking: It was reported that changes to the parking plan for the town landing at the Head of Westport are being made, with commission input on the location of handicapped parking spaces being incorporated into the revisions.
6. Post Office: Mr. Cornwall reported receipt of a call from Rep. Paul Schmid indicating that the post office has ‘grandfathered’ exemption from complying with ADA access rules for doors and parking spaces; consultant Elaine Ostroff disagrees, and suggested a request for improvements be filed with the building owner. She referred to Handbook RE-4 which outlines compliance requirements for leased properties; Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Cornwall will try to discuss the issues with owner M.H. Parsons & Sons of York, Maine.
7. Greenwood Terrace: Mr. Costa will seek estimates for suggested installation of an automatic door at one of the Housing Authority buildings.
8. Beach Avenue: It was reported that selectmen have approved the DEP maintenance plan for continued use of Beach Avenue, including installation of guard rails to protect nesting sites of threatened bird species. Mr. Bull suggested a letter of thanks be sent to the Board of Selectmen for that action. It was noted that the Westport Land Conservation Trust has custody of the mobi-mats used at the site, and will deploy them at the start of summer.
9. ADA Executive Summary: There is still no scheduled meeting for the town’s advisory board dealing with ADA compliance issues, Mr. Cornwall indicated.
10. Other Business: A motion was made by Mr. Costa to approve the clerk’s payment voucher in the amount of $146.74, seconded by Ms. Rego, and approved unanimously. Mr. Cornwall reported the issuance of a press release detailing the commission’s receipt of $4,000 in donations to the gift account, and the projects the funds have been used for to date. Ms. Rego noted that all donations should be reported to selectmen and formally accepted by that board. Mr. Cornwall gave the clerk custody of commission files formerly stored in the Planning Board office, indicating space should be found for the materials at Town Hall.
11. Concerns and Complaints: Mr. Bull inquired about possible uses of handicapped parking violation fines being deposited in commission accounts, and was told about $1,600 in fines were turned over to the commission last year. He urged the commission to consider ways to improve enforcement of parking violations at $300 per ticket.
12. Next Meeting: It was agreed that Monday, March 27 be set as the date of the next COD meeting.
13. Future Agenda Items: There were no suggestions for agenda items for the next meeting other than Mr. Bull’s suggestions regarding enforcement efforts.
14. Adjournment: Mr. Gallagher made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:40 p.m., seconded by Ms. Rego, and approved unanimously.