1997-09-18BEVERLY COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES
MINUTES OF MEETING
September 18, 1997
Beverly Public Library - Fogg Room
Present: Elise Bernstein, Art Daignault, Keyin Gallant, Norm Ganley, Tim & Patti
Hoy, and Steve Reynolds
Absent: Bob Nelson
I. The agenda was accepted.
II. The minutes of 7-17-97 were accepted with the addition of Patti H.'s name to
those present at the meeting.
IIL Old Business
A. City Hall Access Update
1. A unisex accessible bathroom will be constructed on the first floor
immediately.
2. An intercorn system is in place for individuals with a disability, the
elderly or anyone who needs assistance with the elevator.
3. Tim Brennan is to work with the architects to revise the plans to make
City Hall accessible.
4. Peter Gilmore would like as many members of our Commission to be
in attendance at a Finance Committee meeting in October (date to be
determined) to oppose the A/C expenditure issue.
5. The existing shaft will be used for the new elevator. While the
elevator is under construction, meetings will have to be moved to
another location for accessibility.
6. Steve R. wrote a letter (dated 9-17-97) to Tina Cassidy, Planning
Director, in regards to the grant money from the state for making City Hall
accessible. Steve R. is concerned that a Transition Plan had to be
submitted before the city could receive the grant money.
B. Handicap Parking Survey Update
1. There have been eighty (80) letters sent to property/business owners.
Another fifty (50) will be mailed next week. The total number of
letters is one-hundred & thirty (130).
2. There are eleven lIP signs left at the Chamber of Commerce. There
was a total of twenty HP signs donated.
3. Elise B. will finish surveying the remaining six surveys.
C. Handicap Parking Program Update/Discussion
1. Tim and Patti H. is to place an update with Bev-TV regarding the
increase in the handicap parking fine from $25.00 to $100.00
2. Patti H. is to call Ralph Padsella to ask him to remove the lIP sign
in front of D'Amato's Hair Design because the lIP sign is very high
which can't be seen by the public.
3. Some handicap violation log sheets were handed in to Kevin G.
which will be added to the master file.
4. A new affidavit was revised because of the continuing problems with
Beverly Hospital. On the affidavit, there is a place to give an
individual a warning instead of a possible ticket. The patients, going
to Beverly Hospital, for dialysis as an example, are still parking in the
HP spaces with the universal emblem on the hospital card, instead of
their own designated area.
D. Beverly Post Office Update
1. Construction of an accessible ramp is to start next week and to be
completed in one-hundred and twenty days (120).
E. Dunkin Donuts Update and New Bakery Issue at 1 West St in Beverly
Farms.
1. Steve R. sent a letter (dated 9-17-97) to Betsy Friedberg, Director of
the National Register Properties of the Massachusetts Historical
Commission and a letter to Deborah Ryan, Executive Director of the
Massachusetts Architectural Access Board regarding handicap access
issues.
IV New Business
A. Transportation
1. A "thank you" letter will be written by Elise B. to Clay Stackpole,
Director of Transportation for the Beverly Public Schools. For t h i s
school year, he purchased five school buses of which three are handicap
accessible for wheelchairs. Two other buses are ready to have lifts
installed for accessibility when needed.
B. Common Victualer's License
1. Steve R. is to write letter to the City Council concerning this issue.
C. Rehab. Act Funds Slashed!
1. Steve R. wrote letters to Kennedy and Kerry (dated 9-16-97)
regarding the "G-roton Amendment" (amendment No. 1122) which would
slash 50% of the FY 1998 appropriations for the Rehabilitation Act.
D. Other
1. Tim and Patti H. received a reply from Borders Books in Peabody
regarding their complaint on violators of liP parking and how
individuals with disabilities are not considered valuable customers.
2. Art D. mentioned how he was trying to implement a sign at the Gibbs
Gas Station on Enon Street to let individuals with disability know that they
will pump gas if they need help. It is a state law.
V. Next Meeting - October 16th
1. Art D. to see if the Beverly Library is available on Tuesday at 7:00.
VI. Adjournment
1. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.