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1998-04-16BEVERLY COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES 191 Cabot Street Beverly, MA 01915 (508) 921-6000 Chairpcrson Minutes of Meeting April 16, 1998 Beverly Public Library - Fogg Room Members Present: Elise Bernstein, Art Daignault, Kevin Callant, Tim Hoy and Bob Nelson NOTE: Mr. Nelson had to leave early for an exam. Members Absent: Norm Ganley & Steve Reynolds - both excused Ex Office Member: Patti Hoy Guests: Resident Eileen Twiss and Robin Kellett(guest) I. The April Agenda was reviewed and accepted. II. The March Minutes were reviewed and accepted. Ill. First New Business Item Only (Due to Cuest Attendee) A. ADA Day in Salem in conjunction with ILC & Salem COD 1. Planning meeting for ADA Day is April 29, 1998 from 3:00-5:00 pm at the Independent Living Center, 27 Congress Street, Salem, MA 01970. 2. The ADA Day Celebration is July 26, 1998. 3. There will be tables for each Commission on Disabilities that participates in this event. 4. Robin Kellett, Acting Director of ILC-Salem, distributed information regarding ADA Day and the need for Fair Housing Investigators. 5. Ms. Kellett invited the BCOD to the ILC's Board Meeting on April 21, 1998 at the Independent Living Center in Salem. 6. Ms. Kellett suggested that a representative from the Independent Living Center attend the Beverly Commission on Disabilities' meeting, so that the different disabled organizations can better organize and cooperate with each other for a common cause. No action was taken by the Commission. IV. Old Business A. HP Survey Update 1. Reviewed and discussed the letter to Marshall Hartally, City Solicitor. 2. Handout of three(3) letters lending assistance to property/business owners in order to be "in compliance" by July 1, 1998. 3. Two(2) New Handicapped Parkin~ Only - Tow Away Zone signs: a. Broadway - Post Office Side b. Wilkins Terrace, left side closest space to Dodge Street Is the new HP space on Broadway in addition to the HP spaces in the Post Office parking lot? 4. "Thank You" tetter to Albert Rocco, RE: Mared HP sign in front of Shaw's. 5. Update on Status of Property Owners. 6. BCOD would like to receive a letter from Maestranzi Brothers, RE: Assisting a Person with a Disability, instead of having handicap parking(HP), and a sign which states how they assist a customer with a disability. 7. The last conversation that Marshall Handly, City Solicitor, had with Tom Fallon, attorney for the West Beach Association, was that Mr. Fallon said that West Beach would install three(3) HP spaces as opposed to the five(5) HP spaces that West Beach is required to have. Mr. Fallon stated that, if Mr. Handly did not accept this proposal, then Mr. Handly could take the West Beach Association to court. Since that conversation, Mr. Handly has not pursued this case because Mr. Daignault of the Commission strongly believes that if the City would to take the lead in becoming compliant, then the private sector will follow their example. If this happens, then the private sector would not have any recourse against the City. B. Post Office Celebration 1. Mr. Muise will advise the BCOD when the HP and landscaping work is completed. All work must be done before a celebration can take place. 2. According to Elise Bernstein, the Post Office has installed a lowered table for an individual in a wheelchair, but Steve Reynolds has not seen this. C. AAB Matters, Dunkin Donuts Update 1. The April 6th meeting of Mr. Serpa & Bert Gtovsky was postponed by Steve Reynolds because work is underway on the accessibilty to Dunkin Donuts. The Commission reviewed the letter that was sent to Mr. Bert Glovsky from Mr. Tim Brennan, City Building Inspector. Some members of the Commission were concerned with the width of the ramp. 2. The Architectual Access Board(AAB) sent the BCOD a notice that the Ayers- Ryal Side School had applied for a variance. The BCOD reviewed the variance, but there were no concerns about the variance. Mr. Daignault suggested that the school's parking lot be "in compliance" for handicap parking to be tied into the approval of the variance by the AAB. But, Elise Bernstein felt that they were seperate issues. A copy of the notice from the AAB regarding the variance by the Ayers-Ryal Side Elementary School was distributed for the Commission's review and evaluation. D. Commo~ Victualer's License 1. It was suggested that the BCOD write a letter to the Licensing Board, RE: Meeting in February. The Commission should refer to Assistant City Solicitor Bob Munroe's letter along with the Commission's recommendations. 2. The BCOD would suggest the establishment of a policy by the Licensing Board for a new or renewed common victualer license. E. Dane Street Bath House Access Update 1. Reviewed blueprints of the Dane Street Bath House Access Project. 2. Bob Nelson will give handouts on the ramp that might be option. There was concern about no railings on the ramp expressed by Elise Bernstein and Art Daignault. 3. Kevin Gallant is to look on the internet for surf chairs as another option, instead of the ramp. 4. The playground needs to continue to be on the agenda. V. New Business A. New Handicap Placard being issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles 1. Patti Hoy was very concerned regarding the signature and a person's picture being on the front. She believes that this is an issue of security (If Patti Hoy feels that this issue is important for Commission action, then she should have it place on the agenda ). 2. it was suggested by Tim Hoy that a letter be written to Mr. Michael Papamichael, supervisor of Public Service, regarding the sidewalks on Lothrop Street (Tim Hoy should be the person to draft a letter, then submit the letter to the Chair for approval ). Vl. The next meeting is May 21, 1998 at 7 p.m. at the Beverly Public Library. VII. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.