Sharon Commission on Disabilities
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Attendance: Sid Rosenthal, Chairman, Leslie Kriger, Secretary, Florence Finkel, Chickie Monahan, Geila Aronson, Susan Myerson, Jim Waters
Chairman, Sid Rosenthal, called the meeting to order. The minutes of October 22, 2003 were accepted as written.
OLD BUSINESS
Delapa Properties -. The spaces need restriping (one per fifteen spaces), but the weather has held up the work.
Ames Street Swing - Susan Myerson reported that there is a question as to whether we are looking for one swing or a whole unit. One swing is $290, a regular chain is $30, and a warm-coated chain is $70. She spoke to Nancy White at O'Brien and Sons in Medfield. Also, we have to look at an accessible route of travel. Susan is to talk to Dave Clifton. Jim Waters looked up SPED departments. He contacted Rick Sprague, the Director of CHARMMS Collaborative who told him that we need to study the needs of the town and found out where the parents of the kids to be served. This is not an issue for Sharon as there is only one main playground. Jim will talk to Judy Levin, CHARMMS Director of Student Services for the town. It was suggested that he talk to Linda Salon, the head of the Early Intervention
Program and Barbara Dunham, Assistant Superintendent. It was also suggested that the SPED Director should be aware of the existence of the Committee on Disabilities and perhaps be invited to a meeting.
MBTA update - Sid sent letters to many politicians. He recently received replies from Lou Kafks and from John Kerry's office. Kerry's office sent Sid's letter on to the Justice Department. The bottom line is that Sharon Station does not have to be accessible because it doesn't meet the present guidelines for that need. Florence Finkel suggested that we talk to Ben about initiating a lawsuit.
Scholarships - Leslie Kriger spoke to Judith Whittemore, Director of Guidance at the High School and was told that applications go out in February and that Sid will receive a packet in April, so that the Committee can decide on the recipient of its scholarship award.
Wilbur School -There seems to be no need to review the blueprints because the plans are on hold for the time being.
Memorial Beach Park - The Disability Commission gave Amanda Sloan, the landscape architect for the park, a list of needs for the park. Selectman Joe Roach has been insistent on accessibility for the disabled. The Committee will be looking over the plans that are being drawn up.
NEW BUSINESS
Correspondence - Sid received a letter from Lou Kafka regarding the MBTA Station, explaining why Sharon Station does not need to meet the ADA requirements.
Letter from Alice Cheyer- Sid received a letter regarding the Zoning Board of Appeals project. Sid wrote to Ed Hershfield offering the Commission's help to their Board.
The Ride - Chickie raised the issue of The Ride and the problems around it for residents of Sharon. Sid suggested that she contact George Bailey who is the chairman of the Transportation Advisory Board with her concerns.
The Planning Board - the Planning Board was going to have a meeting regarding affordable, accessible, and senior housing. Sid wrote to Joel Tran of the Board of the Commission's willingness to participate in any meetings and review plans.
Letter from Alex Tarabolsky - a letter was received from Mr. Tarabolsky regarding the being slandered by library personnel.
Post Office Square - plans are proposed to renovate the sidewalks using brick for the walkways. Shirley Brownstein wrote a letter to Ben Puritz regarding the dangers in using brick pavers for walkers and users of wheelchairs. She recommended the use of 30" wide cement pavers. Sid contacted the Boston Center for Independent Living. They sent a letter regarding the negative aspects of brick sidewalks.
Annual Budget - the annual budget is $500.
Parking Ticket Fund - the amount in the parking ticket fund is approximately $6679.04.
Temple Israel - the marble transom to the Ladies Room is too high and the door to the Men's Room is difficult to open. Sid has written to Debby Astor the Executive Director of the Temple, and the work is still not done. Sid has been writing about these since 1996.
School Inspection -Joe Kent, the Building Inspector for the town issued a certificate of occupancy for the Cottage Street School.. Sid and Chickie were called by Ken Wirtz to inspect the school. The lockers are in the way. The bathrooms are problematic. Twenty-two classroom doors protrude into the hall, but the corridor width, as it was originally built, is the problem. A waiver request would probably be denied. The original architect should correct the problems.
The town web site - The town web site is Bzlotin@townofsharon.org.
Memorial Beach Park - Sid attended a meeting on October 29, 2003. We will review the plans at the next meeting.
Unitarian Church - the Unitarian Church is trying to become accessible. They are looking for money for improvements because but they are a historical site and want to preserve the building.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 17, 2004, at 7:30.
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