All right. And I will read the opening um and we can get started. So pursuant to chapter 2 of the acts of 2025 extended through June 30th of 2027, the ability of public bodies to meet in
a fully remote or hybrid manner. Um the this is a meeting of the commission for persons with disability. Members of the public who wish to access the meeting may do so via Zoom or by telephone. Um, no in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every
effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. So, if you'll um >> do the roll call. >> Yeah. Um, so I know that we have a
quorum, but I know not everyone is here and my alerts are not telling me who is coming in. So, um I know Pamela is here. I know Myra Ross is here. Um Ian Roalt, are you here? >> Yes, here.
>> Okay, great. Cody Rooney, I don't know if he's >> Cody's not here yet. >> Cody is not. Okay. And Sarin Darren, >> I'm here. >> You are here. Yay. >> And Jim Craneer. >> Yes, I'm here.
>> You are here. Excellent. and Reginald. >> Yes, I am here. Good morning. >> You are here. Okay. So, we're missing only Cody. It seems like we have two guests that I'm aware of. One is Tori um Dixon, who is one of the people we are
hoping will participate in the summer disability pride month event that we're going to do in conjunction with the other two towns. And um the uh Chris, could you tell us your last name again? >> Yeah, it's okay. It's Chris Bisel.
>> Chris Bisel is here from um >> from AOY. >> Thank you. AOY, which um is the organization that we'll be talking about in the second half, but he wants to watch. So, make sure you're on your best behavior >> if that's all. All right. Otherwise, I
>> That's really hard for me, but we'll do it. >> Okay. Yeah. So, um Myra, I'm going to interrupt just for a second to say that um Councelor Ko Martin is also here. >> Cool. Okay. >> Um um >> she's only able to stay for the first uh
half hour or so. So, >> okay. Well, welcome to you, counselor. What would you like us to call you? >> Oh, you can just call me Amber. >> Okay, good. All right. >> Thank Thank you for having me. It's good to see you all. >> Oh, well, good. Um, so Amber is our new
liaison with the town council and so you'll find that there are always things we want you to report. Um, so um we can we are not going to deal with a number of the items that we've been talking about at previous uh meetings because we
have a few long items. So we're not doing anything about the restaurant um document. We're not doing anything about um talking about the future for the snow removal thing. We're not talking about
banks accessibility. We're not talking about Mson um today because these other items are going to take a while. >> Okay. So, um Mary, I hate to uh to interrupt, but Mson Yeah, Mson is on the agenda and Rob Moira is is here.
>> Oh, okay. Um, >> so do we want to do that first? >> Yeah. So the the agenda has the uh disability story time first, but >> um the Mson library update might be quick, so maybe that should we should
start. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay, Rob, go ahead. Thank you for being here. >> Sure. Morning everyone. Uh this will be very brief. Uh, as an update, the Mson Library, quickly as a reminder, that project includes two major scopes of
work. One being a walkway and short short segment of ramp leading up to the south entrance. Uh, this and a little uh section of railing and landscaping and drainage associated with that work. And then the second part uh is to install
power door openers operators at both that door that the ramp leads to and the existing interior and exterior set of double doors from the west facing entrance, the main entrance approach to the building. Those two pieces of work
have been uh procured and in contract and we're working through the submitt process now to hopefully start work in the coming weeks. Uh so that is a uh uh project funded by an MOD grant uh that has a completion deadline or substantial
completion deadline of June 30th and that's our target. Uh so things are moving along nicely with uh that project right now and hope to get started soon. >> Any questions for Rob? >> No, that's like usual. Go ahead.
Wait, who has a question? I didn't hear. >> No, no. I was just saying that's good news. It's great. Thank you, Rob. >> You're welcome. >> Did it come in under budget, Rob? >> It did. It you know, we've seen it um all spring so far. Uh very competitive
bidding. Uh it it is just under $100,000 and we have $150,000 grant. So now uh you know we'll start looking at you know if there's any way to incorporate some additional work into that scope that can be done both in the timeline uh
>> like the parking lot by the church >> like the well I was thinking the drop off area first um because the walkway to the church is going to take more time to come to an agreement uh with with the owner okay
>> because we would have to cross property lines. So, um, >> so you're talking about the parking in the front. >> Yes, the parking. And I think, you know, this board has, uh, identified that as an issue in the past. So, you know, that's my next, uh, you know, whether
it's, you know, can get incorporated into this or not. You know, I'm going to look at the drop off, the walkway that runs right along the front uh, Southeast Street front of the building to see if we're able to incorporate any improvements there. Um, the other thing I'll mention while I'm thinking of it
that we just got noticed that the next round of mod grant applications open up May 1st and you know we haven't internally started talking about that but we will in the coming weeks. So just have that in mind if there's any >> suggestions or recommendations uh you
know we'll we'll be talking about that as well. >> So here's two questions for me. Um one is we had 150,000 from MOD this year. Um and you had said at the last meeting that 25 additional would be available.
So that's 75 available to do the parking uh lot uh improvement or I don't know if this rolls over. It probably doesn't but it's capital right? No it's mod we have to spend it. So
>> yeah. >> Yeah, that's the you know that I guess is the the troubling part for us with such with the deadlines and and mod program is very strict on completion by June 30th, billing by June 30th >> and we have to look for things that do
not require significant design work needed or land use permitting and so on because we just don't have the time. We have a couple of months to get this work done. we have the $25,000 which is capital money that could be, you know, going to another project or even do
design work to set us up for a future request and and we'll consider that. But there's a possibility we might be able to do some work and and make uh you know the the the asphalt walkways and the and the drop off zone a little bit better uh
even smaller pieces of it. Uh if we can incrementally add something to this project, we're going to try to do that in the coming weeks. Uh, but we're we're just, you know, we're just getting started and we don't have a lot of time to finish. So, um, I'm not certain that'll occur, but it is something we're thinking about now that we know bids came in so low.
>> Ironic that we had 100,000 last year and it wasn't enough to do this job, so we turned it down. And now we have 150 and we don't have uh enough to work to do it on that shovel ready. >> Agreed. And and I've had I've had three bids, three projects come in
>> significantly underestimate. Uh and and if you remember this this same project last year >> uh exceeded the $125,000 grant we had received at the time. So there's been a there's been a substantial change in the
competitiveness and I think we had >> uh seven or eight firms responding to to this bid which is um you know great. >> I would hate to see us not spend the $50,000. So, I hope that it can be a priority to
fix that parking situation and the walkways >> because you just never I mean it would be awful to turn back money to them two years in a row. >> That would just not be good. >> We we also do need we also need to get their approval to spend the money and expand the scope. So, just so you know
there's a couple of steps there, but I first have to identify that there's a project we can do in the time frame and then we'll explore that with the mod grant officer. >> Right. For my money, the additional 25 could sit um if we can't spend it on
this project because one of the projects that's come out of this committee for next year's grant is the um doing something about the lack of accessible bathrooms at Mil River Park. And that 25 is a drop in the bucket compared to what
it's going to need to be. But um I you know that we don't need to spend as long as it's uh somebody's got it in their head that it's going to be accessibility money added to next year's accessibility money. >> It is we you know we we remain conti uh
committed to you know what we set out to to do and spend $50,000 of our capital award towards accessibility projects. And just as a, you know, a reminder over and over again, it is so important that we design, you know, and be ready for
projects and they're not necessarily always going to be together. So, if we have that $25,000 and we can design a bathroom remodel or a drop off zone, that might be setting us up being prepared for these these these grant opportunities or other capital funding opportunities in the future. And that's,
you know, what we want to focus on. >> Years ago, we asked for the drop off zone and we didn't get a design. So, you're absolutely right, Sarah. >> Yes. Um, one thing I'm not sure about the bathrooms in the Mson library. I
have never visited them because I I no longer go there just to mail in ballots, you know. So, >> there isn't one on the main floor. >> So, that isn't that something that could be addressed? >> The the the bathrooms are accessible in
the Munson Library. They are, >> but they are they are you get to them by either taking the chairlift or uh the ramp around or the walkway around the rear of the building. Once you get to the bathrooms themselves, they do you know they do provide the accessible
features. Uh it would be a very difficult um you know uh project or or or plan to bring a bathroom to the main level. >> There is no just any space. >> What about the pathways? You said you can do uh go around the walkway and
enter from the back of building. >> That is an accessible. It's it's a long travel distance. Uh and unfortunately the drop off zone and parking area that we talked about isn't really up to code. So, but once you do get onto the property, there is an accessible path
around the rear of the building uh that gets you to a rear door and into that space that can access the >> Did you say there's a lift on that stairwell? There's a chair lift, you know, the incline lift that runs along the the the plane of the stairway
between the first and second level. >> Wheelchairs test that out, make sure it works. >> We test it out annually. It's inspected. Uh but I I personally I've never seen anybody use it. I'd have to ask, you know, library staff if it gets used.
>> Whoa. I wonder I mean >> so so I mean I think the bathrooms there because it's they do lots of events there. social events there. So I think it is pretty important. So maybe we should not worry about losing that
money. We should focus on maybe put it in two steps like the first whatever is left of this money will address this stage and the next we will request more money to do the other stages. But I think it's very important
>> is there uh uh Sarin? Yes, >> Tori. Either one of you have any interest in testing out that that lift on the And Cody, I don't know if Cody's here. Um on
the stairwell cuz I never even thought about that. >> Well, I mean, it doesn't have to be a person with a disability. It could be just anyone, you know? >> It has to be a person in a chair. I mean, if you can walk downstairs, you
don't need to have it tested. It's But it I can't test it because I wouldn't begin to know whether my I would feel like I was taking my life in my hands to go on it. >> Yeah, >> this is And I have a question about what
the lift look like. Is it is it a is it a rectangle box that um that you ride into and go down or is it an open lift? >> It it's an open platform that runs along
the angle of the stairway. So, it's not a an enclosed lift. It's very old. I think it's an I don't know late 70s, early 80s model. Oh. >> Um, and like I said, I know it functions, but I don't I I doubt it'd
be, you know, user friendly or, you know, it's certainly not modern in in any sense. >> There's more than 25,000 right there. >> So, um, and and it's only big enough for I
mean, I don't even know if my scooter would fit on it. I ride a scooter as opposed to a power chair. So >> yeah, I can, you know, we can we can come back and give, you know, dimensions and more information on it or and photographs we can share uh in a little
bit more detail about what's out there. >> Uh just so you have that information and can consider that before, you know, having to go out and look at it. But >> say once the person gets out of the lift safely, how how
is the access to the bathroom from there? >> That's fine. >> Very good. It's, you know, 15 ft away. It's in an open uh corridor area at that point. Um very easily accessed. >> Well, then I >> Sarah, this is an incredibly good
question. Yeah, >> the bathrooms are not >> Okay, so there's a stairwell there. You can walk down it if you can walk down it. There needs to be a safe way for people who have chairs and scooters
>> to and walkers to get down there. So, it needs like I would think it would need to be a platform lift. Is that right? Is that the right word, Lori? >> I don't know. >> I don't know. Sounds like it's already a platform lift,
>> but it's angled >> and it's open. >> It's open. And I >> Yeah, >> personally, I would not feel secure on an open lift, especially not one that was installed in the 70s, but um
>> I I wouldn't mind going to look at it and if I felt comfortable, I would try it out. But but my my thinking is um an able-bodied person probably would not
fit on the lift with me. I mean, and that's what I'm saying saying. I they could walk alongside me, but from the sounds of what you're telling me, it sounds very old and I I wouldn't feel
>> safe >> riding on it without somebody there with me. >> There's your homework. You need to find out if the stairwell is wide enough to put a a good modern lift on because we potentially have $75,000,
>> which the lift might be more than that, but I don't know. >> It's again designing something and finding a product that would work. The the the stairway is narrow. You couldn't have uh somebody walking alongside the lift. It you know, you'd be someone would be walking behind the lift, >> you know, because there isn't enough
room to walk by. Okay. while the lift platform is, you know, down in its open position. >> Sorry, I don't mean to laugh, but then someone behind me is not going to help me if I'm >> feeling insecure. >> So, unless the person went in front of
you. >> I mean, that's possible, too. And back down. I have used I have used personally lifts a lot, >> you know, both in uh East Hampton at Williston and then uh I remember using
them uh in couple of other places and it f it was very safe. You would just go there and you would just close the door and then the outside will control the lift going down. So it was very safe. So
maybe it might be worth maybe technology might have changed since then. But >> I don't think there's room for that. That's the problem. >> I don't know. But but I think a bathroom if we're spending so much money to make it accessible and not to do anything
about the bathrooms is kind of uh missing the point because >> I agree with you. The bathroom is accessible. >> Go to the bathroom. There's no way to put a bathroom on that floor. I mean, I'm sure there isn't. Um,
>> I don't know. >> So, uh, well, anyway, it's a good question. It's a really good question, and I'm amazed at all of us that we didn't ask it earlier. All right. Anyway, um Rob, so if you can find out anything or if
you can put someone on the the project of finding out anything about the the kind of construction and everything and whether it's even possible to put any kind of a safe lift on that stairwell, um that would be really good for us to know because if you can
maybe maybe they'll let us at least spend the money to do a design and then ask for the money for next year if it's not enough Sure, I will look I will look into that. >> Cool. >> Good idea. Okay. >> All right. Thank you for bringing it up, Sarin.
>> Better late than never. >> Okay. Thanks, Rob. We appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Bye. >> Bye. >> All right, Tori. We invited Tori here because um at the last meeting um
>> No, I guess it wasn't the last meeting. There was a meeting about the July 21st, July 20th, I'm sorry, um event that we thought we could do as part of the three town
um disability pride month that is going to have to do with storytelling. And that was an idea that was proposed by someone in Northampton and East Hampton agreed to it. and we've thought
about it and Pamela and I met with some people on Zoom a while back. It was um one of the librarians, the children's librarian. Um
it was the aquatic director from Wreck department and the um Becky Demling. I don't even know what her position is. Um but she was there too. Um, and there were all kinds of proposals floated about. Oh, I didn't mean to have a water
analogy there. Um, uh, there were all kinds of ideas that people had. the children's librarian wanted to do it in the morning um and have storytelling about um you know she had some books in mind that had to do with uh people with
disabilities and um sports cuz we decided we were going to do something about sports and then somebody brought up that Tori I didn't know this is a former
parolympic swimmer In fact, she won a bronze medal at the Parolympics one of those two years, 88 or 92. And I had no idea, but they brought it up and they thought it would be cool.
And then we started thinking storytelling doesn't only have to be for children who are little. Storytelling could be for um any age people. And it would be sort of cool if sto if Tori could tell her incredible story about
becoming such a wonderful swimmer with the disability she has and what we you know what she had to do, how hard she had to work, what it was like to go to the Olympics. And I contacted her and she said she was interested. Um, and so we don't know yet what we
want her to do, and we don't know yet what she wants to do, but we thought that it would be really good um, if Tori could come and talk to us about what she might want to talk about, which age range of people she feels
comfortable with. But we thought that that could be possibly at the end of the day. The aquatics director said that LSSE has some adaptive swimming equipment for people with different disabilities that they could showcase those things that um there is apparently
a swim team from Special Olympics um that you know um that could come and talk about it or they could swim or and then we could have we could have like an open swim for anybody including people with disabilities and using if people
wanted to use any of the adaptive equipment after Tori tells her story. That was my idea. Um the this the librarian had the other idea. Um those are not the same time of the day. Um so there's some um conflict about what we
actually might want to do and that's why we brought it to this group because we don't know we're sponsoring it. Um and so we have to figure out what we would like to sponsor and that's why we brought it up. Pamela, do you want to add anything? Did I miss anything?
>> No, I think that you've summarized everything. Um, well, I think the decision for this group uh today or at least at the next meeting, hopefully today, is to decide um what type of events you want to sponsor for
disability pride. And there could be two distinct events. There could be the story time for younger uh children like the traditional story time that the library did and then a second event. So it's so we wanted to know what po what
Tori had in mind then we wanted to hear what the commission might have in mind to do. But I think it's absolutely incredible that all these years we've had Tori in our midst and didn't know anything about her incre her incredible
achievements of her life that I mean, you know, it it might not be the defining feature of your life and it isn't what you do anymore, but it's really quite outstanding and nobody knows about it. At least many people don't. And I think it would be really cool for people to know the story of how
you went about it. So what do you feel comfortable doing? >> Hi everybody. So I've I've done speaking engagements for about this to a wide range of of ages. So I I feel
comfortable um I could do young children. I can do um elementary school. I can do middle. I could do high school. I could do adults. It It doesn't matter to me. I could do
all of them if you want. Um throughout the day. Um and 15 minutes would be I could I could fit it into 15 minutes for younger
children, but for different ages, I would think I would need 20 or 30, at least 30. um to elaborate a little bit more. Um and then I will try to find my medals.
Don't know where they're packed away at the moment. >> Maybe Donald Trump took them. >> Sorry. >> Oh god. I wouldn't let him in my house. Um anyway um
uh so I will try to find those because those would be nice to have. I definitely have uh they used to get they would give us pins to trade with other countries uh people from other
countries. So I can definitely um bring some pins. Um, we're talking 1988 and 92. So, the Parolympics has changed
a little bit. Um, but my story remains the same. I mean, it it's my story. So um but I usually start out as to why I started swimming um for physical therapy
and then talk about how I became a competitive swimmer after that and then from the age of 10 to I swam all the way up until I was 28. Um, so
and and so I can talk about uh what the training was like and who my coaches were and the team that I swam for and then how the UMass coach coached me um
for both the 88 and the 92 Olympics par Olympics. Um >> very interesting. It's um so yes, I can condense it for younger children to 15 minutes by all means, but
if I'm going to talk to a range of ages, it may take longer than 15 minutes if I'm going to elaborate. Um so I'm comfortable doing all of that or just a little bit of
that. So, whatever you guys decide, I just wanted to have a better understanding of what the day is going to look like. Um, yeah. And then, yeah. So, >> does anyone have any questions for Tori?
Um, or any ideas? I I I just would love to know what people think we should do. And unless you want me to do something different, I mean, I But that's that's the way I've done my speaking engagements for this.
>> That's sort of what I had in mind. >> Yeah, >> that's an excellent idea. And just to be there in person who won this award and you can tell this experience, it's just wonderful. >> Very motivating,
>> I think. Great idea. >> Did you know, Sarin, did you know about Tori's past? >> Yes, I did. >> You did? Oh, God. I didn't. >> I know. >> No, I'm going to be the only one who didn't, right? >> No, you're not. It feels like a lifetime
ago. >> Yeah. And memories are g getting fainter and fainter. >> Oh, no. I'll never forget this. No. you but me to read the story, you know.
>> I see. I see. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But I remember when I heard about it, I was really amazed the success that uh you had and it's very hard work.
>> It's extremely hard work. It's um >> six hours a day um six days a week at my peak when training for the Parolympics. Wasn't your husband part of the group in
some way? >> Maybe also, >> but he was a powerlifter. And if you're focusing in on swimming, he did not swim. He doesn't like to swim. Doesn't like the water. So, if you're focusing in on swimming, which is what I
gathered, um, then it doesn't make sense. We were just thinking swimming cuz there's a pool and it's July and and the aquatics director was there and she has all that cool, >> you know, she has equipment and she has
apparently uh Becky has u a a neurodeivergent son. And so she's been very involved with the >> uh Parolympics and not the Parolympics, I'm sorry, Special Olympics. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. Um, and so we just
thought, well, there's a whole water thing we could do because it's July now if we have thunderstorms. Not good. Um, but we thought of doing >> pavilion there. >> That's true. We thought of doing it at the pool. Um,
and you know, we would somehow get a loud speaker system. Maybe we can't. No, they do have that cuz they had swim meets there. So, they must have a way to Right. >> Right. And I I was just going to say
that Cody had unmuted because I think he wanted to respond to your question. >> Oh, okay. Cody, go ahead. >> Yeah, I was thinking that we could do
two sessions. One for kids, one for adults. Cuz to do all on as
speak to myself is tough. I agree with you. That's what I'm thinking too. But it um we would have to be involved in this all of us or at least we'd have to split it
up um because to do two things I mean we need if we're in charge of it we have to be in charge of it right so um that's I mean I think it would be the library people will feel very
comfortable they would probably use North Ammerst Library to do this um children's thing. They could pick the books, you know, that would be pretty cool. They were very interested in, you know, they had all kinds of ideas for little kids. Um and I think if we let
them run with it, but if we asked them to, you know, focus in on maybe swimming or summer sports or something like that, um or however they want to do it. And then um the the evening one which would
be like five o'clock um and the aquatics director is in charge of the pool hours and all that and she's on board with the idea. So she would be able to do anything that we ask her to
do within reason. But the public swimming part ends at 4:45. Is that what they said, Pamela? >> I I'd have to go back and look at my at my notes. I think that they're um going
to be flexible around the timing. Uh um so I will just say that I also agree with Cody. I think that having the Jones librarians um structure the story hour
um sets it in line with the other communities which we know that um I think both Fords and East Hampton are having their events in their city libraries and they're doing a traditional story hour that features the
theme around disability. and then a second event in the afternoon um early evening that would be open to the public really all ages but yeah
>> um um that then would allow uh Tori to tell her personal story and would also allow Wreck and Denise and Becky to highlight the adaptive equipment that are um that are available at um at Mil
River and I I think we can I mean they're flexible. I know that uh one of the other things that they had discussed was um not charging a fee for the open swim and just allowing um anyone to you know who wanted to swim or
use the facilities to do so. So that should work. I think she said she could even close the afternoon open swim which is the one available to everybody. um a little bit early and that they could ask the people in the pool instead
of just leaving to stick around for a presentation which would be the equipment and Tory and the Special Olympics and then she said we could you know they were going to have some kind of an additional they usually have adult swim at six I don't remember um but we
could you know she would structure any of that any way we would ask her to within reason. She was very very open to um to using the time, but I like Cody's idea. Um
so, is is this something that the committee thinks is a good idea? How about the rest of you? >> I think it's a great idea. >> And I just have something to add if
that's okay. This is Tori. Um, if in the morning the librarians are going to focus on all summer sports, if you would like Juan to come, I could speak to him about he could speak to his
powerlifting has nothing to do with swimming, but it's still paralympic. >> Yeah. >> Um, he's a parolympian, >> so he we're talking like weightlifting. Is that what we're talking? >> Yes, it's weightlifting. It's just powerlifting on a on a bench
>> and at his at his peak he he um lifted 336 lbs and he weighed 130 lbs. >> So >> Wow. >> Oh my gosh. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So I think kids I mean people in
general would would like to hear both of us but it's your decision. It's your >> Yeah. So, in a way that could be really cool because there are all these books about being strong >> for kids, right? >> Yeah. >> And if we had being strong relating to
people with disabilities, even if it was being strong psychologically, being strong, you know, however people want to do it. But if we could have a theme of strength and then he could come and talk about that, that would be really cool. >> That would be a great idea, I think.
Okay. So, let me >> Oh, cool. >> Let me run it by him. He'd have to get out of work early, but >> Well, very early. I mean, he'd have to go into work late >> because it's the morning. >> Well, okay. So, you're going to do the morning and then you're going to do
>> Oh, yeah. Little kids have to be they they do their they have a thing that they do and they would do it in the morning. Um they like 10 I don't even know what time they would do it. >> Okay. 9:00. >> So, you want us at at both? Okay. Well, we would want
>> I think we want to do two. If you want to do the afternoon one and he could do the morning one, then you wouldn't both you wouldn't have to take a whole day off of work. >> I don't think you would take I I mean I Let me just talk to him. So, I mean I
mean cuz we both can do I just it sounded to me like you were going to have the librarians do their books with the little kids and not have us there. So, um, it sounded like you wanted us in the, uh, >> I misunderstood what I thought you said.
Okay. I thought you said Juan could come. >> Um, the I'm sure he could come. Um, but I have to run that by him and it gives him plenty of time to request time off. He's got enough vacation so it's not
like he can't request it. So, um, >> okay. So what what um >> but so so if you want >> we don't have only an aquatics theme anymore >> in the afternoon. >> That's what I'm saying. >> Do we need a theme?
>> So let me interrupt for a second just to say that um Ian had unmuted and was going to comment. >> Ian, go for it. >> Yeah, I was just going to say I think it's a great idea. I did want to propose for at least the library event um if we
could have it be um masks required um since uh to make it uh accessible for children and families with who are im imunompromised and with long COVID um children with or long COVID is is the
number one chronic illness for for children at this point um even even more so than asthma and Um it would uh h having it masks required would would make it accessible for um children
and families both immuno compromised and with long co >> I don't know enough about how how these things run. I know there are a lot of people who thought that masking very little. We're talking little kids. We're talking preschool. Um, and that's who
comes in the morning. Um, that we're not talking about older kids. Um, and I don't know about masking preschoolers. I think it's I think a lot of people would not do it. I mean what maybe we could do is provide
a mask there and it's probably they won't be coming on their own. It's up to the parents to tell direct the kids or the parents telling the teacher to make sure my little kid wears a mask. That kind of a thing, right? That's all we
can do maybe. So, can I um maybe uh ask Mia what they're doing at the library because I'm sure this this uh question has come up at the library. And um and I think that there are um there are uh as Ian pointed
out, there are still lots of folks who have concerned around being in large crowds or or crowds in general when when people are unmasked. So on Saturday we had the Ammeris Global Village Festival. It was not masks were not required but
there were a number of people both vendors and um people who attended the festival who were wearing masks. So, um, Ian, if if if it's okay, I'll ask, uh, what the library has been doing and, um, and then we can sort of go from there
because I do I think it's your point is well taken, right? That we want the event to be accessible for everyone and it's not if people who have long co or who have um, you know, whose immune system is compromised can't attend.
>> That that'd be great. And also I can reach out to um an organization that provides free masks uh to to see if they would be available to to provide them for the event. >> Yeah. And we do have masks here. The P department of public health has ma
health has masks available for both adults and for children. >> Yeah. So, actually, as I thought about this, they did talk about they do they have a group they have something up to kids for 10 years old and they do why don't we ask
them to pick the time a day and the kind of books and whatever that they would want to do. I think we can leave the story time with the books up to the librarians and if we're going to be using a lot of older kids, it'll be the masking part will be a lot easier, I think. But if you have two and three-year-olds, it's not very easy to
mask them. And this is Tori again. If we went into the library, if the library would like us to speak to the to the kids, Juan and I would wear a mask can can wear a mask.
Yeah. So >> So >> yeah, >> if the kids can't, we can. >> Okay. So we should talk to the librarians, ask them to pick the time of day that the the target age group. um and maybe they would want to do it in
the early afternoon instead of in the morning for preschool. They do both kinds of things, they told us. And um how do people feel about allowing the librarians to to choose the time of day, to choose the
target age group? Um I just think it's easier because it gives them autonomy. It doesn't make them fit into something we want that they might not be able to deliver. What is that? Okay. Hello.
Do people hear me? Oh, somebody does. I hear somebody breathing. >> Go ahead, Ian. >> Okay. >> I was just going to say, could could you repeat that? I was distracted by something here. I was just wondering how the commission
feels about giving the library staff cart blanch to determine the time of day and the target audience for the story time. As long as we tell them that the stories have to be about disabilities
and maybe disabilities and strengths, disabilities and um you know like uh you know success like that. Um and if they
just if they say okay it'll be 10:00 or it'll be 11 o'clock or it'll be 2 o'clock. That's okay with us whatever they want to design. That's my proposal and I want to know how you feel about it. >> Well, let me say first that uh the
librarian or I think two librarians maybe were at that meeting. Um they were >> Sorry, you were there too, weren't you? I'm sorry. >> Okay. We're very enthusiastic about the whole idea. Um very much on board. And I mean, let's be honest, we don't know
anything about this. Uh we don't uh we've never organized readings. we we've never dealt with uh we have no idea what kind of books would be good etc etc. So I I think it makes perfect sense uh to let um the librarians pretty much run
with it uh if they need further guidance from us for whatever reason. I don't think there's going to be any books about um kids with disabilities who you know get swallowed up by whales or anything like that. You know I mean I I
think it's going to be fine. So I I think uh they should run with it. >> Okay. Ian, Cody, Reg, Sarin, how do you feel about it? >> I think it's all right. It's good. >> Okay. The rest of
>> Yeah, sure. I think it is fine as well. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> This is the end. Sounds good. Sounds good to me. >> Okay, Cody. Oh, you suggested it, so of course you've made a good idea. Okay. Um All right. So, we have our sort of
marching orders. We should talk to the library people. Tori's getting to talk to one. We should talk to the L uh they don't call it LSSE anymore. Wreck department people and see what they can do as far as a timeline for the afternoon event at the pool. And if it's
raining, we would do it at the pavilion and we just wouldn't have open swim time. Does that sound reasonable? Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, I just need maybe two weeks notice
uh as to the timing so that I know whether to take the whole day off, take part of the day off as well. >> We'll be able to give you much more than that, I'm sure. So Pamela and um Pamela and Jim and I
can divide up the chores about who's going to talk to who, but um I think I think it's pretty clear what we should do. Okay, this is great. Thank you, Tori. I think this is so awesome. I totally want to hear what you have to say.
>> So >> I just have one question. Would it be okay with you guys? Has it has a lot to do with disabilities, but nothing to do with sports and disabilities necessarily, but would it be okay if I
brought Stabros brochures with me to and people can take as they want? >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Well, it it has to do with disabilities and >> and being stronger, right? So, we Yeah.
So, why not? >> Most definitely. >> Yeah. So, >> so um um sorry to interrupt. Um so, what I'll do as a follow-up is I'll just draft an email um that sort of summarizes what our plans are and share
it with Myra with you and Jim and send it out to Becky, Denise, and and Mia at the library, and we'll just sort of solidify uh those details. And then it we should be able to um maybe not this week, but certainly I would think by
sometime next week um Tori be able to give you the time. We've already selected the date, but we can we should be able to have time solidified by next week. >> Yeah. Well, or at least the week after. But I
think this is going to be very cool. and whether the librarians want us to speak or whether they're just going to do the book hour or because e either way works. So I just need to know.
>> Yeah. Okay. I will ask that in the in the email. >> Okay. >> Myra and Pam, I have a question. How is this going to be publicized because it seems like a very nice event. >> Okay. So what we have to do once we have the plan is we have to send it to a
woman named Amy Sukihara in Northampton and they put out a big I mean we're going to put out our own brochure but they they they put out something that has to do with the three towns. >> Is that what you understand Pamela?
>> Right. So, so Amy will do the we'll design a um um a poster or flyer that will highlight all three events. >> Yeah. >> Um and then we will also share the information with Sam Gifin who is the
communications director for uh for the town of Ammerst and she will post it on the town's Facebook and Instagram pages as well as publicize it. what she's been doing now at the beginning of each month
um is a list of upcoming events in town. So it'll be publicized both in Northampton, East Hampton and in um in Ammerst. >> I would also assume that the rec department and the libraries would do their own >> right >> publicity and and the sooner obviously
we can get the dates and hours down then the the more they can give to folks. >> So what was the date? >> July 20. So the schools cannot do anything because the schools are closed, >> right? No, but the recck department can do it and like they they can put up a
poster at the two pools and they um and the library has you know they have they have their people who come in. Um my daughter's a children's librarian elsewhere and there is a whole group of people that just this is what they do. They bring kids to the library all the
time. um that you know it's a it's a pretty established network of kids who go to the library and do their summer reading club and all that stuff. They have all that in existence. >> So this is Tori again. If you're going to do something more than a poster and
you're going to do social media or or um or emails to advertise, Juan and I could write up short very short bios if you need it. So, >> you know, that would be really cool. Do
can you if you know depending wait till we make the plan, but I think even a couple sentences from each of you would be incredible. >> Okay. >> I think that would be really cool, but not long because they don't have a lot of space on a post. >> No, that's why I'm saying just short
bios. So, just get give me a little bit of time to >> Yeah. >> Three or four sentences. >> Yeah. just nothing, you know, just highlights of what you'd want people to know. This is great. Thank you so much for coming. Thank you so much for doing this. I don't, you know, I didn't
introduce you properly. Um, >> I don't remember who was on the committee. Uh, Re and Ian and Cody, Tori was on this committee on the when it was a committee for God knows eight years, 10 years, long time. I don't even know.
I was a guest long before I was uh long before I was appointed. So, it's been years and years. But, and I'm glad you're finally one of us. >> She's just not on the commission right now, but she's one of us.
>> Anyway, thank you so much. >> You're welcome. And so if you could just keep me updated and >> um emails are fine and >> you can send it to my Gmail that's fine. >> Okay, cool. >> Okay. All right.
>> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Take care everybody. >> Good to see you too, Sharon. Bye bye. >> Okay. Um the next thing we have to talk about, so we have a guest, Chris. Oh my
god, I didn't write your last name down again. >> Excuse me. >> That's sorry. Okay. >> Um, you want to tell us about your company and um what you offer? I know you sent
out a Google Slides this morning which I wasn't able to access very well and I thought there was supposed to be an accessible PDF as well, but I couldn't find it on there. That's okay. You know, that's really more
>> Oh, I'm sorry to cut you. That was really more just supplemental. Um I fig it's going to be a lot more conversational for >> for this. So, that was that was a nice to have, but I apologize for that getting out to you all late. Um >> but yeah, would you like me to to jump in? By the way, I think I might need to
>> make a trip out to >> uh on July 20th, I think. Right. That sounds like a great event. Yeah, it's very cool. >> Um also the the conversations on the mask. I have a nine-month-old and if keeping a sun hat is any indication of >> trying to keep a mask on a young child,
it's it's a challenge. Yep. >> Yeah, >> it's very difficult. >> Um well, hello everybody. Thank you so much for having me. I'm Chris Bisel. So, I'm a 37 year old male. I've been with the company called Ahoy for a few years now. Um the I had a the chance to have a
conversation with Pamela, oh my gosh, over a month ago, maybe closer to two. Um, it was it was very enlightening and I asked if there was an opportunity to come and speak with you because the a lot of the things that we learned that I learned from from that conversation
got the wheels spinning as far as is there a way for a Hoy to help potentially grow into and fill in some of the potential challenges that I think you and this commission deals with pretty frequently. And so this really is more of a yes, I would uh get to know
you, you know, I'll let you know about a HOY, but really I would love to get your feedback on some of the things that we're working on. Um I I will just put these slides up for anybody who finds any value in it. It really will be more of a uh discussion. I I think so. I I'd
rather not make it a uh PowerPoint presentation, if you will. Um, but I'll put these up just for for the sake of you all having it in front of you. Um, so can you all see this? Okay, for for those who are going to follow along with
that. So the for for those looking the the image on the slide, it's a a 38-year-old male. His name is Jake Handel. Uh he's one of the co-founders of a Hoy. Um he is entering a restroom uh kicking it open with his foot. Uh he
uses a wheelchair. There is a chair blocking the door. There is a table on the other side. Uh and the bathroom has an accessible sign on it. Uh obviously not the most accessible experience. Um the the kind of key things that I was
hoping to to discuss with you all is to tell you a little bit about what a Hoy is. uh to talk through a couple of the the the major points of what I learned from my conversation with with Pamela and then to to seek some feedback. And so AOY is a mobile application. We've
been uh in operation for a few years now. Um and it really did come about from my relationship, our relationship, the u the Hoy team uh with Jake Handle. So he has a pretty unique, incredible medical story. Um he was able-bodied. He
uh experienced a very significant health uh episode. It led him to actually be locked in his own body for 10 months uh and led him to a multiple multiple year recovery that he is still on today. And what we found as he was kind of entering
this new phase of life is that uh I don't think this will come as a surprise to anyone, right? That that finding accessible experiences uh was a challenge, right? And the uniques of individuals are varied. And I think the
uh the term of we are accessible gets uh perhaps overapplied. Perhaps it is not detailed enough. Perhaps it does not always deliver on the experience that it it claims to. Um, and so the the mission behind AOY and and really the mobile
app, but also many of the the other things that we've been working on, which I want to briefly touch on with you today, is is really to personalize that experience and to collect this information around accessibility for public spaces, for restaurants and transportation centers and parks and
libraries. uh to to really capture the level of detail that allows an individual to understand if that space will truly work for their specific needs. Um as I'm talking through this, please uh I'm I'm a good talker uh which
is a blessing and a curse. So please jump in and and uh ask questions as we go. But that's the that's the general um kind of how this all came together. To explain a little bit about how the app
itself works. Uh so it is if if some folks have used Google Maps or Yelp, things of that nature, it should seem a little bit similar as far as the kind of model of how those uh
experiences work. And the the app is intended to be able to collect the the specific needs of an individual, right? We don't ask about what a specific disability is, anything of that nature. Really, what we're we're trying to capture is what are the accessibility
features of a place you might go to that would add up to make a comfortable, positive experience for you. uh the the types of information that we will ask about for from an individual as well as the types of information that we'll capture for these different locations.
It ranges from entryways to common areas to restrooms to parking. Um the based on the information that we collect about that individual based on information that is collected for reviews for physical spaces which is
primarily communitydriven we basically just play matchmaker. uh and provide a zero a score zero to 100 that will let an individual know based on their specific needs uh how well that location will work for them. And so the score that I might see for a location might be
different for a score that uh another person would see. Uh and it's all based on what they've indicated they truly need. uh the and I'll I'll speak in just I'll show you all in just a moment um just a few of the more detailed types of
details that we capture. The the kind of next piece of how the app works is it's great to know if a space will work for you. It's also important to know how you're going to get there if you're not traveling by car for instance or even if you are if there uh if you need
accessible parking. And so we've created uh something that will it's it will sound similar to Google walking directions. Uh we call it wavefinding rolling directions. Um what that does is it will give you turnbyturn directions to get to the destination that you've
identified as a good match for you. But along the way we capture what we call obstructions, street and sidewalk impediments. So that could be potholes, missing curb cuts, uh scaffolding for construction, snow banks, etc. Um, and so it really allows you to understand
along the path that you might take, are there going to be impediments that might be challenging for you or at least good to know about uh prior to going? And if that doesn't work for you, how can we get you a different route that might be a little bit safer, more comfortable um for you to be able to arrive at this
destination? Um, so that's the it really is trying to give a end toend experience of allowing people to access this this accessibility information that I think is often difficult to find. Uh, and it's
really a confidence of know before you go is really the the end goal of what we're trying to achieve with this. Um, let me pause there. Um, just to see does that just from a conceptual standpoint does that make sense? Any questions as far as how the app itself works and then
we can going to get into more of what I heard from our conversation with Pamela? >> So, the app has text as well as map. >> Correct. Yep. Correct. So, the the the um the app itself is going to have uh a list of accessibility features. Maybe
I'll I'll jump in here. So, it's going to have a list of accessibility features from is there accessible parking spots, inaccessible parking spots, roll-in entrances, is there elevators, um moving to the restrooms, things such as are there grab bars, uh accessible uh
stalls, are there automatic hand dryers, um faucets, etc. So, things that are small details that you might not be able to find um either on a company's website or on Google, Yelp, etc. um but are
critical for individuals to know based on their specific accessibility needs. And then in addition to that, there are photos um as well as user comments. So text textbased comments that describe the uh the user's experience that they
had at that location, describe some of the features that were available. Um, and so all of this is our our hope is to add up to enough information for you to make a an informed decision about whether that space will work for you or not. >> Does anybody have any questions?
>> No, please. Yeah, >> good idea, I think. >> Thank you. Thank you. Now, I could and by the way, I should have I should have asked this at the start. I know the the Zoom meeting was for one hour. I don't want to keep you
all longer so I can go faster or if necessary. Do we have a hard stop? >> One o'clock. >> One o'clock. >> We have to probably t of one. What time is it now? >> It's 12:36. I will not take uh I will not take all of your time. So I'll get all >> we have to do minutes.
>> Um >> sure. Okay. So I guess my question >> for um there is accessibility and there is usability um and they are not exactly the same. Um and also there are
regulations in the ADA and in the MAB that address many of the things that you've brought up. Um some things don't comply, some things do. Um, you know, even I mean depending what year they were built, depending on what year they
were renovated, they have different requirements for compliance. Um, so this um this could be useful. Where do you get the money? >> Yeah,
it's it's a good question. And and the the the one thing I will say on some of the regulations before I answer the the money piece, the the purpose of the app is not to determine necessarily is a space within compliance from the letter of the law, whether that's ADA,
otherwise MAB. The the real purpose of what we're trying to intend is does something exist or does it not exist. We're not um our intention is not to be the arbiters of the the law. um it's more to enable folks to have access to this information about what does and
does not exist from a money standpoint. So we are a startup. We're based in Boston. I'm I'm in East Boston right now by the airport. The we we raised a small amount of money um just to get ourselves started. And then a lot of the uh
capital that we've been able to produce is really through partnerships. So with organizations like Massability, uh we put on professional development um internship programs where folks come in, we put on a 12-week training program. And while they're doing that, they're
actually out doing some of these reviews to produce the uh a lot of the data that has been built out over uh across our app. So that has also produced some revenue for the company to help us really expand both our data footprints as well as kind of keep us keep us
afloat from a financial standpoint. >> So what would you want from the town or >> want to I'm not >> like individuals would download your app. Well, so no, the the this is where
I think the Well, of course, we would love we would love to have that, but um this is more where the conversation with Pamela I wanted it got the >> it got the thought thoughts running as far as you know this the information that I think this commission uh deals
with as well as other parts of the um you know municipal SAP the DPW etc. A lot of this is the information from an accessibility lens comes from live experience communitydriven reports. Um, this commission as I understand it is is
tasked with making decisions as far as um the role you play as a decision maker as far as accessibility needs, variances, etc. How even hearing some of the discussions around the lift that was going to be potentially installed in the library. it the the biggest aha moment I
think for me was the ADA transition plan and understanding that that was put together I think maybe five maybe more years ago it kind of lives in a PDF that the you know when I asked Pamela when we were talking about uh you know what success looks like for this commission
it's progress against that ADA plan and I think what what was uh an aha moment for me is that it's perhaps and and this is where I'd love to get your feedback is it's perhaps challenging to have more of a dynamic system where you can or a dynamic process where you can gather
inputs as far as what are things that we would like to fix that maybe are on the ADA plan, maybe are not new information that's coming from the community uh and and trying to think if there is a uh a way to either leverage this app or
otherwise. And I've got a few very quick things that I can show you that could help collect some of that information, help the assignment and triaging and prioritization and and resourcing against some of these decisions that this commission helps inform. So, that's really where this is going. Yes, of
course, the app would be we'd love to have folks use this. Um but but it's also a kind of in addition to what we've built with the app is more of a web uh dashboard solution that helps collect the information that goes into the app as well as other information like the
ADA transition plan um that could be uploaded that would help you start to use this as more of a project management tool um as new information comes in. So that's really where I thought there could be potential value and I wanted to see I I really want to make sure that I'm understanding the problem correctly
and that this is something that you know how how could this add value? Would it add value? What what might we be missing? Does that make sense? I said a whole lot there. Uh are you doing it just for uh area or New England all of it or
>> we're we're live in the US and Canada. So we've got we've got reviews across the the country and across Canada as well. Um the probably 60% uh just given that we've kind of got our start uh in Massachusetts probably 60% of the data that we have is in the New England area.
Um but it is uh national Oh, very nice. >> Yeah, >> very nice. >> And so I guess the original intention, right, is we wanted to get this information in the hands of the people who really need it. The kind of evolution coming from a conversation
with with Pamela is could this data, could this information, could there be additional tooling that could be built uh that could support commissions like yourself to both collect this information, understand it at a deeper level, help use it as a management tool
for some of the decision- making that you are are tasked with. So what if we go someplace out of town and uh we like many of the features so you expect us to uh fill in a uh
information and pass it to you? >> No. Oh, so it would actually >> the database. >> No, it would actually be the other the other way, right? Is that as we start to have as we start to build our footprint of users in Ammerst for example, right? We've got a dashboard and maybe this is
a good time to for for those who u are able to to see the the slides here, right? Is we built a dashboard solution that picks the data that's already going into the app. So we could create one for we have created one for Ammerst. Um there would be a lot of work that we would there would be some work that we'd
need to do, but the the information that's going into the app from just general users, not just from this council, could start to create more of a living breathing uh you know database of accessibility information that could be leveraged by this commission um as you're making
decisions about uh some of the the the decisions that come across this uh this commission. It it could basically just be a more of a database of information that you can you can use as both information
uh repository, a planning tool, resourcing, things of that nature. Um that's that's where we thought this could potentially add value, but perhaps not. Um the the real the real uh trigger behind that thought was that the ADA transition plan, it sounds like is a PDF
document. it it gets updated on an annual basis. It's maybe not um quite it's more of a static document and so maybe it's not as effective of a management tool as perhaps it could be. Does that register with with you all?
Does does that resonate rather? Um on on the one hand uh I think for individuals with disabilities uh this app the concept behind it how it's being built up um can be very exciting and and provide really useful
information. I'm not so sure how it really would change how we do our work or how the town does its work. Um I mean on the one hand this is a very small town all things considered. Uh people
learn pretty quickly um what works and what doesn't. >> Sure. Yeah. And on the other hand and but also um our charge um in addition to looking at variance requests
uh which is important uh is primarily around you know public buildings uh public uh sidewalks, roadways and things like that. uh and not so much um the sorts of things that that you've been
highlighting as far as the app is concerned. So I'm I'm not sure how the what the fit would be. Am I making sense folks? >> Yes. >> And and maybe to to backtrack that what one of the things that we do capture are
the the the obstructions that we talked about the the potholes, the the dam, you know, the streets and sidewalks, right? That's going to change. >> You don't have enough time >> consistently >> to >> I mean you don't
>> I mean you don't >> Yeah. >> I personally I'm reluctant to go anywhere in this town on foot. >> Yeah. >> Because I turn my ankle a lot. >> Yeah. And if I'm not wearing like a
hiking boot, um I'm nervous about going out anywhere in this town. >> Right. Right. >> Um you you don't have there's not enough bandwidth for you to possibly have. >> Well, it wouldn't just it wouldn't just
be me, right? We'd want this to be more community driven. And I guess to to that point, right, is the the uh the collection of where those those issues exist, right, and how those are reported and how those get uh addressed and
triaged and prioritized. Do do you don't, right? And so the the the goal here, right, and James, perhaps to your points as well, right, is is that the well, I I spoke maybe perhaps too long on what's actually inside of
commercial businesses, for example, right? But it's also the street and sidewalk component where people can in a matter of a few seconds snap a picture that gets automatically located based on where you are using your your phone. that creates this database of where
these obstructions, where these impediments exist. Um, that's visible to everybody using the app, but that also goes into this dashboard, which can become this layer of information that the town can then use as a reference point for where these issues have been identified and perhaps not reported back
to those who would probably like to know about it and perhaps address it. So that's that's more where my head was going is is could that be a value ad for both this group as well as the the broader set of you know groups who are are in charge of addressing those
issues. >> Well, James, I think you there you go. >> The um I I'm I'm sure I'm suffering from a failure of imagination here. um for which I apologize but um you know for
for example the condition of sidewalks um and one thing that sticks out to me we identified some really bad sidewalks you know a minor issue outside of I mean a minor area outside of uh the downtown
u but you know as far as people with mobility impairments or or visual impairments trying to >> happens to be on Route 9 so It's not minor cuz there's a lot of cars on Route Nine and the sidewalk isn't okay. I'm just filling him in, Jim.
But the thing is this will now be the third year >> uh which the Department of Works, the public works has said, "Well, we're going to get to work on this." And last fall they said, "Well, definitely going to be this year." Who the hell knows? Um
I mean that is you know real time uh identification of these issues is great but it would but without a a strong link to quasi real time addressing of these issues uh right for
most of us it's sort of like oh man you know I mean they'll get around >> does the information yeah >> the information doesn't actually >> most of it is known most of what they have to do is known own most of what they have to do is impossible they say
because they can't get the asphalt they can't get the manpower they can't get the money they can't get this and that um you know and but I don't know how much we would benefit from I don't know how much the town I don't
mean we the town would benefit from something like this because we tell them stuff all the time and it doesn't change. >> Yeah. Can I just I know you guys need a few We're at the 50-minute mark. I I know you guys need a few minutes, but as far
as what that conversation looks like, what that relationship looks like, you know, and helping them see, you know, understand the broad set of issues that you would like to have resolved, which it sounds like don't frequently get addressed. How how does that
conversation go? How do you try to push them in the right direction as far as hey, we've been talking about this for three years and there's 10 other things after this that we'd like you to work on. Did does >> No. Do you No, doesn't doesn't happen. You cannot get blood from a stone.
>> Yeah. And but they always agree. >> They always agree and they say it is going to be done. So, >> you know, like Mil River bathroom. How many times have I brought this up? And that's one of the major uh entertainment
areas, you know, and they do social events there and there's a swimming pool and everything. So, but you know, they say, "Oh, we are going to wait for this grant and it's a big project." So they don't they don't like to do focus
>> Carolyn Holstein >> they don't focus on just whatever they can do but they have to wait until uh the grant is uh in place you know so they have their logic I understand but
doing things takes such a long time. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I see. Uh go ahead James. No, I mean I I'm just going to say I mean this is because this this is not some malevolent force that's directing Ammeris lack of
response. I mean this is a problem across all towns in Massachusetts and probably all towns in the United States. There simply isn't enough money. Um and so you know we we just have to wait to uh get these things addressed and and
who knows what's going to happen in the meantime. So I mean these are real problems. I I don't know how the group feels about addressing, you know, taking some time, not today because there isn't really time, but to to look at feedback requested, uh, and see whether that's
worth our worth our time. >> What do you mean by feedback requested? >> So, Chris, um, this is, uh, Myra, this is Pamela. Chris has shared uh a slide deck that has some questions on it and I think perhaps that might be a good next
step because we do have two things that we need to do. I did see that um Aubrey had hand um written. So, Aubrey, is there something quickly you'd like to add to the conversation or
>> Oh, no. It's not quick, but um so I won't add um I apologize. >> Sounds good. Well, thank you all and maybe we can do I would love to to hear the feedback as far James again. You got the you know, waiting for the money to
come in. there the from from knowing what needs to be addressed and where do we get the grant money from right and if there's uh any additional pressure that this information could add right I would love to hear your all your feedback I appreciate your cander um and if this if
this doesn't move the needle right that's good for us to know as well right we don't want to say something that isn't going to make a meaningful difference um for the town for any of any of the towns that could you know potentially leverage this and so any feedback that you'd be be willing to
provide, we'd love it. Even if it's, hey, I don't think this has a whole lot of uh traction. >> I have one quick question. Do you just address the town manage facilities or could you just put like restaurants and
things like that because we have plenty of those? >> That's actually that's actually the majority of what we do. And so title two, yeah, from the ADA transition plan, right? I was thinking from from that perspective for some of the public spaces, but the vast majority, call it 99% are going to be the restaurants and
the >> bars and the things of that nature that are more public spaces. >> Um, >> so, oh, Cody, go ahead. Um, just to close, I think
to me it makes sense. It would just take the town to get on board and really use that
to say, "Okay, where do we need DPW?" So, um, yeah. Yeah, I think that's right from what I
understand at least. >> Yeah. So, I'm going to let uh Cody had the last word. Um Chris, if you'll send your slide deck, then I'll share it with the commission and they can um look at the feedback questions. Um and um one
other thought um that I think uh commissioners might need to think about is what are the needs going to be for members of the um of the public who have disabilities in the future? Like how how
are they likely to interact around with spaces and apps? you know, I'm not an app person, but I think um most young people actually get their information and and interact using this type of technology. So, it's just something for
um commission members to think about. We have four minutes left in this meeting and I only four minutes. >> We need to do the minutes. >> Yeah. >> Thank you all. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Good. Thank you. >> All right. >> All right. Oh, there are three.
>> Sorry. There are three sets of minutes, January, February, and March. Um, have people read them? Are people able to vote on them? >> Yes. >> Okay.
>> Um, there are little grammatical issues throughout. Um, but I don't think it matters so much. You can get the gist. There's nothing that's like it doesn't say not when it means yes. Like nothing like that. like the wrong preposition and stuff like that.
Um I mean I read them. They seem to cover what we did for sure. Um I Does anybody want to make a motion about the minutes? We can do them all at once unless Let's make a motion.
Get a second. Then we'll get additions and corrections if there are any. I'll make a motion to pass the minutes for all of the months. >> Okay, we need a second. >> I second that.
>> Okay. Are there additions or corrections that anybody wants to make that they haven't already made? Okay. Then we can vote on the minutes on approving them. Sarin, >> yes. >> Jim, >> yes.
>> Cody, >> yes. >> Great. Okay, Reg, >> yes. >> Ian, >> yes. >> Pamela, >> yes. >> And me, yes. Okay, so we approved all those minutes. >> Thank you very much.
>> Okay. Um, now what else did we have to do? We have one last item that Jim um had raised. >> Oh yes. And I don't know a thing about this. So Jim, >> what's this? >> Congratulations to Cody that Cody
won an award. >> Cody got a national award. I want to hear about this. >> I know nothing about it. >> Yeah, neither do I. >> Come on, Cody. Spill the beans. is the word is to
recognize my whole work. um doing is that so I'm incredibly
on it and my first ever national award. >> I'm sorry I didn't I heard your first ever national award but I didn't get everything you said. Did anybody get it?
>> So, uh, first ever national award for doing this type of work, for working on the commission and other, uh, work in this area. Is that correct, Cody? >> All over the country. >> Yeah.
>> From >> who gave out the award? very famous uh around the country for his advocacy and across the state his advocacy and then we're lucky to have him on our commission. I don't know whether you may be leaving at the end of the year. I don't know what the hell's going on with that but anyway we're very lucky to have
him. >> Andre I even don't know where I will be. Um yeah
just Congratulations. >> But yeah, thank you. >> And what uh Cody, this is Ian. Um what's the name of the award? >> You sleep award.
>> That's awesome. Congratulations. >> Yeah, >> thank you. >> Great. >> Amazing. >> So, uh should I mean is there anything that could be like a press release or
anything? Does anybody know specifics like if we can look it up? Jim, could you share how you found out with us the group or send it to me and I'll send it out to the group?
I don't know how Jim found out. And Jim is missing. >> No, he's still here. >> I I Cody and I are Facebook friends and and so he's been uh giving out the the news on Facebook. >> Ah, okay.
>> I'm on strike against Facebook, so I uh do not ever get anything off Facebook. Um, okay. Well, that's very cool, Cody. Okay. So, I have uh it's 102 and I have a one o'clock meeting. I I do have um um
one other uh announcement and that is that um Meg um >> Oh, yeah. >> emailed with information about the Senate taking up the accessible trails bill. and I will just simply uh forward
her email out to everyone. Um she's asking if at all possible um that folks contact their local state senators and it's >> of course is the sponsor of the bill. >> It will um uh but they're supposed the
Senate her note says the Senate is likely to take it up for debate on the 15th or the 16th. So um I will tomorrow. >> Yeah. So, I will forward her her email to everyone. >> Oh, no. Tomorrow is the >> Oh, yeah. Tomorrow is the 15th. >> 15th. Yeah.
>> Okay. They want 10 They want $10 million um for accessible trails and they want support from us. Um we could either do it as a commission or we could do it as individuals, but it has to be done quickly, I guess. Um
so, I guess we could take a vote very quickly. Should the commission send an uh note to Joe Cmerford in on behalf of the commission or should we uh yeah or no? So um
>> this is to how many >> accessible trails? >> How many millions you said? >> 10. >> They want $10 million to study creation. I think that's what it is. Of accessible trails. And you know, in a perfect
world, I think it's absolutely perfect, but good lord, people are starving in this state. >> Yeah, exactly. >> That's how I feel about >> I mean 10 million. I don't know how they come up with these numbers. >> I don't either. >> Yeah. It's like the 1.5 trillion being
requested for the >> military, >> Department of Defense or war, whatever you call, you know. >> Would this be a Sorry to interrupt. Um, would this be a a thank you note to Joe Cmerford if if she's >> No, it would be a vote of support. I mean,
>> I mean, we're supposed to be the thing is for me for all kinds of people all over the place. Joe Cmerford is the sponsor of the bill. So, she knows to support it. The question is, do we want to at this point tell her that we want her to support it? And that's the
question. So, what do you think? >> Yeah, we need I think we need to support it. Okay. >> However, we I'm not sure about the financial part of it. >> Well, that's what it is. It's the financial. The financial is what they
want. Just support is not what they want. They want to know should she support the $10 million for this project from this commission. It's not a question of do you like the idea? It's $10 million. Do we support it?
So what? >> Okay. >> I'm Everybody's breaking up. I don't know what any of you just said. >> I said >> support. Yeah, Jim. We're seeing >> Wait, Jim said yes. >> What I said was we're supposed to find
the $10 million out of the parking fines. Um, >> no, no, no, no, no, no, no. They have the money. They want to know. The legislature is deciding whether or not they are going to spend $10 million of Massachusetts money to do this study of accessible trails. Um, and they want to
know, I mean, Meg wants us to support that request by telling our state senator to support it. That's what Yeah. It's not our money. It's Massachusetts state money that the legislature is going to decide how to appropriate.
>> Okay. I say yes. >> Okay. What do you say, Jim? >> Look, I I move that the commission support uh Joe Cmerford's
bill um regarding accessible trails in Massachusetts. >> Okay, that's good. Do we have a second? >> This is Ian. I'll I'll second it. Okay. Discussion. Okay. Okay. So, Ian, how do you vote?
You vote yes because you seconded it. >> Sarin, >> yes. >> Jim, >> yes. >> Reg? >> Yes. >> Cody, >> yes. >> Pamela, >> yes.
>> I'll vote yes. But I do have misgivings. I mean, I think it's great, but >> I'm very upset about the fact that people don't have enough food. >> It's more important to me. >> Okay. Anyway, um All right. So, I think we're done. We um we can write a letter
to Joe Cmerford. Just send her a note expressing our support and then we'll tell Meg that we did that or we'll just CC Meg on it. That would be good. Okay. Next meeting is May 12. Yeah.
>> May 12th. Um, >> okay. >> So, before you finally adjourn, Myra, who's going to be responsible for writing the note? Will you write? >> Oh, I can do that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I can do that. >> All right. >> Yeah, I'll do that. >> And Oh, yeah. Well, >> one quick thing is Saren's birthday is
coming up on Thursday, I believe. I think she's gonna be 80 years old, which is >> Oh my god. >> No, no, no. 81. >> 81. Oh my god. >> Oh my god. I didn't know you were that old. Wow. Okay. So, you're taking us all out to lunch
>> and the next day is Jim's. >> Oh, is that right? >> Uh, yeah. >> Actually, tomorrow is mine, but that's not important. >> Tomorrow is your And how old are you going to be? >> 77. >> Uhhuh. Okay.
>> All right. So, well, happy birthday to Sarin and Jim. And which one of you is taking us all out to lunch to celebrate your We should do something. We'll think about it. >> Yeah, that would be very cool. >> Yeah, we're going to have to use that AOY app to figure out the best
restaurant. >> That's right. >> Yeah, that aoy that Well, anyway. Okay, new topic. All right, Pamela has a meeting. So, thank you. I hope everybody has a good rest of April. Happy birthday to the two of you and anyone else who's
having a birthday coming up. Thank you. June. Okay, >> I think we adjourn. >> All right, we're um all opposed to adjourning say I. >> I guess we're adjourned. >> All right, bye everyone. Right. Bye bye. >> Bye
>> bye.