Munson Library Accessible Entrance on Tap for This Year

Report on the Meeting of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, February 10, 2026

This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded.

Present: Myra Ross (Chair), James Kruidenier, Ian Rhodewalt, Cody Rooney, Reginald Andrade, Seren Derin, and Pamela Nolan Young (Staff Appointee)

Munson Library Accessible Entrance a “Go” This Year
After the town was unable to use a Massachusetts Office of Disability (MOD) grant to construct an accessible entrance at the south door of the Munson Memorial Library last year, it reapplied for the grant and received a $150,000 award to do the work this year. Building Commissioner Rob Morra notified Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CPB) members that bids for the project will be issued in early March and received by the end of the month, so the project can be completed by June 30, 2026. The new award is $50,000 higher than in FY2025 and, combined with $25,000 in town accessibility funds, is sufficient to fully cover the project, which the $100,000 grant last year would not have done.

The plan is to install a ramp and walkway from the south entrance of the Munson Memorial Library that complies with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The existing south door exits from the community room. It has two steps and exits onto grass, which is not ADA-compliant. The new plan has a zero-step entry with a cement landing, a ramp with railings and handrails, and a poured concrete walkway parallel to the building that joins the main sidewalk at the front of the building where the handicapped parking spaces are located. Automatic door openers will be installed on the existing double doors.

CPD Chair Myra Ross asked if it would not be preferable to make the path to the entrance go to the parking lot at the South Church, rather than to South East Street, since the distance is much shorter and there is more parking there. Morra agreed, but said that that would require a formal agreement with the church, which he said the town might pursue in the future. He maintained that creating an additional path to the church parking could easily be added on to the project.

The community room is used for many events and is a polling place. When the planned work is completed, those with mobility impairments will be able to enter the community room directly, rather than having to go through the main library from the front entrance.

Mill River Restrooms Cited for Lack of Accessibility
CPD members offered other priorities for improving accessibility in town. The inadequate accessibility of the restrooms at the Mill River Recreation Area has been raised at previous meetings. The restrooms are not designed to accommodate people in wheelchairs or those requiring assistance. Morra said the Facilities Department recently assumed responsibility for Mill River facilities from the DPW, but he has not yet had a chance to inspect the restrooms. He said the town will review the doorway and clearance issues and determine what needs to be done. The CPD recommended that upgrading them be a priority for future MOD grants.

Ross stated that Mill River is “an extremely public space, and it has a lot of use by a lot of people.” Family groups have parties that use the pavilion, and the area is used by the Recreation Department, Amherst Neighbors, and the Capacidad summer program, among others. 

Morra reported that work is proceeding to make the Bangs Center fully accessible by late 2026, except for the commercial kitchen, which received a five-year waiver. He agreed to bring the designs for the new accessible signage for the Bangs Center to the CPB for review. The $2.8 million Bangs project, funded with ARPA funds, involves upgrading the sprinkler system, fire alarms, and HVAC. Because the work exceeds 30% of the building’s value, it must include full accessibility. 

Jones Library Entrance Receives Variance from MOD
As recommended by the CPB, the Jones Library received a variance from the MOD for the main entrance because it could not provide the required 48-inch clearance between the exterior entrance door and the interior door required for climate control. Instead, the library proposed a 40-inch clearance with an auto-operator button that would open both doors simultaneously. 

The application for the variance stated, “Relocating the inner vestibule wall would have an adverse effect by significantly altering the historic fabric of the entry lobby. MA Historic Commission has requested we maintain as much of the historic wooden features as possible.

The existing vestibule interior glazed partition is located 40″ from the swing of the exterior door.”

Although Ross agreed that the automated door opener was the best solution to the access of the entrance, she worried about the cold or hot air from outside entering the building when the button was pressed—often by nondisabled patrons, especially children. 

Representation on New Transportation and Parking Commission Deemed Crucial
CPD member Ian Rhodewalt will represent the commission on the soon-to-be-formed Transportation and Parking Commission. Ross will be the unofficial alternate to assure that the CPD will be represented at all meetings. Ross emphasized, “I think it’s really important for us to be sure we have somebody there all the time, because you know very well that people who are not disabled don’t think like people who are, especially in terms of all the roundabouts in town.”

The commission praised the Conservation Commission for planning a path into Hickory Ridge from the bus stop on West Street so that the accessible trail could be reached by those who could not drive. There is no bus service on West Pomeroy Lane, where the parking lot and current entrance is.

In other business, the commission asked for information about the fines collected for illegal parking in handicap spaces, which go to the commission to be used for disability services. Ross pointed out that Somerville gives ten $5,000 scholarships to graduating seniors each year, using a portion of the fines collected. Amherst is projected to collect only $2,000 or $3,000 each year. CPB members wanted to know if there is less enforcement in Amherst or if residents are less likely to violate the parking laws. The fine for each violation in Amherst is $200.