MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 17, 2008
Members Present: Barbara Cutler, Janice Dallas, Kerrie Fallon, Susan James, Barbara
Jones, Kevin O’Brien, Maureen St. Hilaire
Members Absent: Lin Baker
Others Present: Miriam Stein, Diversity Task Group
Gregg Ames, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Heidi Hample, Disability Advocate
Jack Jones, Director of Housing & Disability Programs
Job Fair April 2, 2009:
Gregg Ames said that the four-sub committee’s for the Job Fair have held meetings. Janice Dallas said that when the Public Awareness Sub Committee met they discussed appropriate locations to place flyers about the Job Fair. Gregg inquired about available parking for the Job fair. Jack Jones said that on-site parking is limited, however he would inquire about arrangements for off site parking. Gregg Ames recommended that the National Student Partnership, located in Union Square Somerville, be contacted about assisting applicants for jobs write resumes. Gregg Ames said that a tax benefit exists for employers who hire individuals with disabilities. Janice Dallas recommended that in the flyers language be included that would reduce the number of non-disabled from attending. Gregg Ames said that the Cambridge Savings
Bank, Town of Arlington, State of Massachusetts, McLean Hospital, and A Place To Grow have verbally committed to participate in the Job Fair. Maureen St. Hilaire Said that she intends to contact Sun Micro Systems, Wilson Farms, and Whole Foods about participation in the Job Fair. Gregg Ames said that flyers for consumers and employers should be completed in January. The Outreach Committee said that an article about the Job fair should be sent to local organizations that provide assistance to disabled individuals for inclusion in their newsletters.
Warrant Articles & Annual Report:
Kevin O’Brien said that Warrant Articles must be submitted no later than January 23,2009.
Barbara Cutler said that a Warrant Article requiring that all dog parks allowing off leash dogs be gated and that the Town reaffirm the requirement that all dogs outside of gated dog parks be leashed to avoid any harm or distress to either service dogs or people. Barbara Cutler also said that a Warrant Article should be submitted that would request a funding appropriation that would allow the Disability Commission to hire a consultant. Heidi Hample recommended that the Commission have a list of projects that the Commission would have a consultant work on.
Massachusetts Avenue Corridor Project:
Kevin O’Brien said that Barbara Jones has been selected to serve on the Advisory Committee for the Massachusetts Avenue Corridor Project.
Kevin O’Brien said that he and Laura Wiener would be meeting with the consulting firm that the Town has hired to work on the Massachusetts Avenue Corridor Project within the next few weeks. Kevin said that the next Public Hearing to discuss this project would be held in late January or early February 2009.
Summer Street Accessible Pedestrian Signals:
The Commission reviewed a letter sent by Kerri Fallon to the Board of Selectmen regarding the Summer Street APS. Jack Jones said that this letter was included in the Selectmen’s packet of information for the December 8, 2009 Selectmen’s Meeting. Kerrie Fallon said that the Commission should follow up on this letter to obtain the Selectmen’s opinion on this matter.
Other Business:
Barbara Cutler said that the Disability Commission needs to know from the Town’s Disaster Plan how the Town intends to respond to individuals with disabilities in an emergency or disaster. Heidi Hample said that she has talked to George Donahue, Chairperson of the Watertown Disability Commission, about Watertown’s Disaster/Emergency Plan. Heidi said that this Mr. Donahue would be willing to meet with the Arlington Commission on Disability to discuss Watertown’s Disaster Plan. Heidi at the request of the Disability Commission said that she would invite George Donahue to an Arlington Disability Commission Meeting.
Kerrie Fallon said that she would send a letter to the Arlington Special Education Director inviting him to a Commission Meeting.
Barbara Jones said that discussions regarding the Job Fair should be limited to approximately twenty minutes. Kevin O’Brien said that it is up to the Disability Commission to control the amount of time that is allowed for any discussions.
Jack Jones said that Marlene Schultz, Commissioner of the Arlington Human Rights Commission, has inquired if the Disability Commission would be interested in co-sponsorship of a discussion by Keith Jones on “Disability Rights and Policy in the Era of Change” to be held on March 4, 2009. Jack Jones said that the Human Rights Commission would be interested in members of the Disability Commission attending this event. Also the Human Rights Commission inquired if the Disability Commission would be able to provide some financial support for the transportation costs of Keith Jones, who would be traveling from Somerville.
Barbara Jones said that at the recent Snow and Ice Removal Committee Meeting that she, Paolo Marinelli, and Kerrie Fallon attended it was said that when a person is notified about removal of snow and ice the Town would no longer need to send a second notice on the second offense prior to issuing a ticket. Barbara Cutler recommended that the Commission submit an article regarding snow and ice removal to the Arlington Advocate.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 6:05 P.M.
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