Commission for People with Disabilities Wants More Communication Regarding Town Projects

Report on the Meeting of the Commission for People with Disabilities, June 10, 2025

This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded.

Present: Myra Ross (Chair), Serin Derin, James Kruidener, Elyse Link, Cody Rooney, and Pamela Nolan Young (Staff appointee).

In March 2025, the Disability Access Advisory Committee became the Commission for People with Disabilities, after a March 2024 vote of the Town Council and approval by the state. The designation as a commission makes the group a standing board of the town, eligible to accept donations and to receive funds raised from handicap parking violations. However, the improved status has not resulted in improved communication with other town entities.

The commission was asked in May for a letter of support for the town’s application to the Massachusetts Office of Disabilities (MOD) for a grant to improve accessibility at the Bangs Center. When asked for specifics about what was being proposed, the Planning Department did not respond. “We can’t write a letter of support, unless we know what we are supporting,” said Chair Myra Ross.

Another matter was brought to the attention of the commission via email. At the June 4 meeting of the Planning Board, Planner Nate Malloy and Building Commissioner Rob Morra presented a plan to make the South entrance of the Munson Memorial Library accessible by creating a level doorway, a landing and ramp with railings and a five-foot wide walkway along the building to the front wall and then a right angle turn to meet with the main walkway to the accessible parking spaces. The work was to be funded by an MOD grant, but commissioners had not been consulted and did not even know that the grant had been submitted, much less awarded. None were aware of the specific plans. Morra and Malloy were invited to the meeting at the last minute but could not attend.

The Planning Board discussion centered on the fate of a large rhododendron that would need to be removed or transplanted in the plans presented. No mention was made as to what design would be most beneficial for people with mobility issues. Although the commission had not seen the plans, the consensus was that the most important aspect of the walkway is that it be smooth and clear of obstacles, and if the roots from the rhododendron might grow to infringe on the pavement, the bush should be moved. DEI Director Pamela Nolan Young, who is the staff member on the commission, said she would check out the site and the plans.

Meeting with Town Manager Requested
As to the larger issue of why the commission was again not consulted regarding plans that are obviously in their purview, Young said she would arrange a meeting between herself, Ross, and Commissioner James Kruidener with the Town Manager to discuss communication between the commission and other town staff and committees.

Other Trouble Spots in Town
Seren Derin raised the issue that the accessible bathrooms at Mill River Recreation are not accessible. The doors are too heavy and it is impossible for someone in a wheelchair to use the bathroom without a caretaker present. Superintendent of Public Works Guilford Mooring, who was in attendance, said that the bathrooms are the responsibility of the Building Maintenance Department. Derin suggested that the Mill River bathrooms would be a good subject for a future MOD grant.

The commissioners were happy with the installation of the flashing beacon at the corner of Lessey Street and Triangle Street. There is a blind curve on Triangle Street, and cars come speeding around it making it dangerous to cross the street at Lessey Street, Elyse Link asked for another flashing beacon at the bus stop in front of the Amherst Survival Center, because cars often ignore the crosswalk there. Mooring said that that area will be redesigned so that southbound traffic on Sunderland Road will turn onto Cowls Road and not go past the Survival Center.

July Will Be Disability Pride Month
Area commissions for disability are celebrating Disability Pride Month in July. Council liaison Pat DeAngelis offered to help draft a proclamation to be approved by the council. A film festival is also being planned with three free films to be shown over the month in Easthampton, Northampton, and Amherst. “Patrice” will be shown in Easthampton on July 5 and “Tallywacker” at the Northampton Senior Center on July 29. In Amherst, “The Ride Ahead” will be screened at the Bangs Center at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16.

 More information on the series will be forthcoming.