Town Must Reapply for Grant for Accessible Ramp at Munson Library

Report on the Meeting of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, July 9, 2025

This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded.

Present
Myra Ross (Chair), James Kruidenier, Ian Rhodewalt, Cody Rooney, and Pamela Nolan Young (Staff appointee and Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), Pat DeAngelis (Town Council liaison)

Building Commissioner Rob Morra and DPW Superintendent Guilford Mooring attended the July 9 meeting of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities to discuss communication issues between town departments and the commission. At the previous meeting of the commission, members identified the lack of accessibility of the bathrooms at Mill River Recreation Area and the fact that one of the signs for the assessable parking spaces behind town hall was knocked down. Neither the DPW or the facilities department are responsible for the Mill River restrooms, but Morra said that there is no budget to improve the bathrooms at this time. Mooring thought the sign behind Town Hall was already fixed.

Both Morra and Mooring thought it would be helpful for the commission to make a list of priorities for accessibility projects in town. Morra said that there are capital funds in the town budget every year for improving accessibility, and it would be helpful to hear recommendations from the commission. This year the funds will be used for the Bangs Center.

The commission was less clear about what type of projects they wanted to hear about. Chair Myra Ross said that often the first time we hear about an accessible design is when someone has a problem with it. DEI Director Pamela Nolan Young said that she is designated as the ADA Director for the town and underwent the required training regarding the regulations of the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB), but she has never been approached with a question about a project. Both Mooring and Morra stated that several people in their departments also complete regular training on MAAB requirements.

Several questions were raised about the proposed ADA ramp for the south entrance of the Munson Memorial Library. The town applied for and received a $100,000 grant from the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) last year, but plans were not finalized in time to put the project out to bid and have it substantially completed by the June 30 deadline. Therefore, because there was no other planned project, Morra said the town reapplied for the coming year.

Although the commission was not informed of the MOD application, Morra said that this was the third time it had been submitted, and the Disability Access Advisory Committee had reviewed the application before the first submission. The first two applications were unsuccessful, and the third application could not meet the deadline due to lack of staff to prepare the final plans, do the permitting, and finalize the bid documents. He denied that the Planning Board’s questions about whether or not the large rhododendron at the site should be saved caused the grant to be forfeited. He mentioned that he redrew the plan with a curve around the rhododendron to preserve the bush. The Planning Board is due to decide which plan it favors at the July 16 meeting.

When asked which design, right angle corner or curved path, was preferrable for those in wheelchairs, Jim Krudenier stated that the most important thing was that the wheelchair stay on the path. He said right angles are harder on narrow paths, but the five-foot path planned for this project is sufficient for either design.

Ross said it was a shame that the project will be delayed for at least a year, since the Munson Library is a public building and a polling place. She hoped that the handicapped parking will be improved and that a second phase to the project will involve access to the parking at the South Church. She lamented that there is no guarantee that the town will be awarded the grant again in the coming year.

Commission Endorses Change to Parking Signs and Endorses Right to Wear Masks in Public

A professor at Western New England College approached Young about having the commission endorse a change in the accessible parking sign. The new design, now being used in Connecticut and New York, shows a person in a wheelchair in motion and replaces the word “handicapped” with “reserved”. The sign colors remain a white figure on a blue background.

Morra said that the new figure design has not been approved by the MAAB, but the town would be willing to change the wording on the signs. Cody Rooney said he preferred the word “reserved” to “handicapped” and the rest of the commission agreed. New parking signs will have the changed wording.

Ian Rhodewalt mentioned that there are bills pending in the Massachusetts House and Senate to ban mask bans, and that he urged the commission to endorse these bills by writing a letter to the Town Council. In response to protestors wearing masks so as not to be identified, some states have banned the wearing of masks in public. Senator Jo Comerford is a sponsor of the senate bill prohibiting these bans. Kruidenier agreed that it was important for those with compromised health to be able to protect themselves in public by wearing masks.

Vacancy on the Commission
There is one vacancy on the commission. Young said that there are four applicants, but no interviews have been scheduled. She said the Town Manager is prioritizing filling positions on committees with multiple vacancies that have trouble attaining a quorum. The commission will next meet on September 9.