Meeting Minutes 11/06/2015
Westport Commission on Disability
Meeting of Nov. 6, 2015
The meeting at the Town Hall Annex was called to order at 3:48 p.m. with present members: Michael Ouimet, John Pelletier, Anders Newcomer, Stanley Cornwall, Raymond Phenix and Robert Alves; consultant Elaine Ostroff listening in and contributing via Skype connection; Robert Barboza present as recording clerk.
Mr. Pelletier made a motion to accept the minutes of the Oct. 27, 2015 meeting as submitted, seconded by Mr. Phenix. The vote was unanimous.
At 4:02 p.m., Mr. Cornwall suggested that from this point forward, Mr. Pelletier would act as chair for discussions about the Beach Avenue project. Mr. Ouimet made a motion to appoint Mr. Pelletier acting chair, seconded by Mr. Alves; the vote was unanimous. Mr. Ouimet reported on the progress of the dune crossing project for Knubble access, saying the CLE Engineering study indicated it was not feasible to make a dune crossing and ramp to the beach because of the washout threat and lack of space. He suggested that a motion that Community Preservation Act funds for that project be held by the commission until the CLE Engineering report is received and alternative options are explored. After some discussion, Mr. Alves made a motion to table action until a later date, seconded by Mr. Phenix; the vote was unanimous to table.
Mr. Pelletier then led a discussion about commission support for the town meeting article proposing to discontinue the easternmost portion of Beach Avenue as a public way. He indicated he was opposed to the article because it would reduce access for people with disabilities; a straw poll indicated all other members had some objections to passage. Mr. Cornwall made a motion that the commission oppose the article on town meeting floor, seconded by Mr. Pelletier; the vote was unanimous. Mr. Ouimet made a motion to ask the Board of Selectmen to contact the Mass. Commission against Discrimination to inquire about the legal ramifications of moving the parking on Beach Ave. 600 feet further away from the beach would reduce public access and constitute discrimination, seconded by Mr. Alves; vote was unanimous. The chair was returned to Mr. Cornwall at 5:04 p.m.
Under old business, some discussions were held on Mr. Cornwall’s report of his tour of town sidewalks with the Highway Surveyor; he noted considerable needs for repairs throughout town. Audience member Selectman Tony Vieira suggested the commission consider a Community Preservation Act grant request for critical sidewalk repairs or installations. Under new business, a possible evaluation of accessibility issues at town playgrounds was passed over; audience member Selectman Richard Spirlet suggested the commission send a representative to the Recreation Commission to discuss the issues.
For potential new business at a future meeting, Mr. Newcomer recommended the commission investigate the problem of telephone poles in sidewalks, and parking on sidewalks, in the Westport Point area at a future meeting. The next meeting date was tentatively scheduled for 3:45 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4 at the Town Hall Annex. A motion to adjourn came at 5:18 p.m. from Mr. Ouimet, seconded by Mr. Alves; the vote was unanimous.