And uh [snorts] before we started some of us know any one person making a video or audio recording of the open session of the meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium subject to reasonable requirements of the chair is that number, placement, and operation of equipment used
so as not to interfere with the conduct of the meeting. Any person intending to make such recording shall notify the chair forthwith. All documents and exhibits used or referenced at the meeting will be must be submitted in duplicate to the recording secretary as
they become part of the meeting minutes. Is anyone recording? >> We're here. >> [laughter] >> Hi. Hi, Gavin. It's Jay again. >> Hi. >> Hello. >> Okay.
Um the meeting will be 101. quarter Has everybody had a chance to review the meeting minutes from April and May? >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> Aye. >> I I can do the I can do the photo, but I can't do the May one because Great. >> [laughter] >> Okay. Um new business under new business, uh summer meeting hiatus.
Um do we we'll need to vote on if we want to take a break for the summer >> [snorts] >> and then resume in September. So, can I have a motion to do that if that's what we're all in agreement with
unless there's any >> Motion to approve. >> Second. Give me a second. >> I second. >> Okay, so motion to take a hiatus for the summer and to resume meetings again in
September. Um I'd also like to ask about um is the Wednesdays and the time still all right with people? Is there maybe should we put some thought into trying to change the day and have a time that's
better for people? Um I'm retired, so I'm flexible. >> I'm flexible, too. My my issue is that we do do some traveling and I I try to work around the meetings, but sometimes I can't. >> Right.
>> Um and I hate to miss them, so having another day of the week doesn't That's why I I made the request about the possible virtual online. >> September we're going to be gone until like the 20th. >> Okay. >> So >> Amanda, do you have a >> It doesn't matter to me. I I have work
stuff that comes up and it's unpredictable, so if I can't make it, I you know, like I stated in my email, I'm you know, if if there's emergencies that happen in the city, it's beyond my control and I >> No, I I understand that, but we want to be able to have you as often
as we can, too. >> If we did later in the day, I think more of the public would be able to join in, so I think that's a conversation I'm having right now adjusting it because I think you know, people have doctors' appointments and
you know, kids and school and kids have work and I just feel like we don't get as much of like attendance as it would be nice to have more voices. >> So what are we thinking, like 4:00 or would you think the evening?
>> I felt that when I was the PAC chair, even in the evening meetings, it's not I mean, it's not easy. People I don't know. >> Um I think both. I think having a Zoom
link or some way of joining virtually would be ideal. And even if we you know, change the location of this meeting to be in a conference room with that capability. I think that would open it up to a lot of people, too. >> Would that be easier for you?
>> It's It's not about me being here. It's about if stuff comes up, emergencies. >> No, no, no, no. That stuff I and I know that. But we we still need a a city person. And we have some things going on that we need to pay attention, you know, that's
important. >> a matter of I I have it in my calendar to be here every month. >> Right. >> It's not a matter of >> Well, we want to offer making it easier for you. We can send you the Zoom link for you. Yeah. >> Yeah, there's It's not a matter of being accessible to me. It's just a matter of
if things come up at City Hall. And that's always going to be beyond my control. I I don't have the ability to predict that. >> All right. Um >> I have a question. >> Okay. >> Does a virtual meeting
allow for greater participation to anyone who otherwise >> That's what I mean. I agree. >> Being here. >> It does. Um I'm part of a suicide survivor support group. And it's
and it it just reaches so many more people. Whereas when it's over at Haywood, there might be one or two people in attendance. And it just gives the people opportunity to be part of it or to listen in.
But you know, or if they don't want to, you know, you don't have to be seen on screen or anything like that. Um So Um I mean, I think it's a good idea. I'm
not sure the logistics of how you would do anything like that. >> It's just a matter of creating a Teams or Zoom or there's just a link that you would put with the agenda that that people can click to join the meeting.
>> I honestly, I don't know anything about like having people once I get there. I don't know. Um I don't have I don't understand how to like um not let people
into the room or not to speak if it's not their turn or >> Yeah, so you just you'd have to learn the logistics of it. You'd have to get some sort of training. So, you as the administrator, you would have to go in, allow people to join. You have the option of muting it, allowing people to comment, turning off the chat on the
chat. Like that's something that you would have to learn if it's something >> Is it >> I mean, something you're familiar with already? >> Okay. I'm familiar with that, too. >> Of course, I'm the one who's saying I'm not going to be here in September and I want to join the Zoom. >> No,
I get it. I get it. >> Um so >> It makes a lot of sense to do that. I think. And especially in the winter months, because a lot of people who come here have mobility issues, too. So, that opens it up to people being
able to >> I think not having a few meetings for the summer will give time to look into that and kind of get familiar with the setup. Um and then maybe our first meeting in September, we can be ready to send out that link. And I would just put the link in the agenda that you post, um
so that it's a live link and people can just forget the meeting. >> Okay. Do you have any recommendations of the steps we need to do to do that? >> There's really no steps. It's just creating the creating the link on Zoom.
>> Are there conference rooms available that have all that set up like the camera >> Um yeah, so I know the DPW conference room is set up very well with it has the owl which is the very
um it's a complex camera that kind of zooms in on who's talking. It has that capability. Um that probably be the best option for the location since it's set up already. I'm trying to think if there's another
>> I know the senior center they're set up. But >> Yeah, I don't know if they have >> the they're not always accessible either. >> Mhm. >> Depending on if the elevators are working or what's going on. >> I would touch base with the DPW and see if that's an option since the setup's
already there. It's accessible, they have the ramp. Um if someone um is in a chair that's that's going to be the best option. >> she down at the DPW building by herself? >> Yeah. >> It's not so accessible. You know where the DPW is? >> Yeah, I I kind of do, yeah.
>> And then you go up the up the street right there in the complex it's on the left. >> Great. >> So it's a nice building and it's very accessible. And that is also accessible on bus route. >> Current one? >> There's a bus that goes right down there. That's a perfect conference.
>> Do you have any suggestions on that? >> If we did it later in the day would it make it available to city employees who would come to the meetings more? Uh cuz we don't usually get a lot of people from the city here. >> Um most of the times that we have somebody
from the city it's they're invited because of a certain topic or um and typically which this month it was my fault, we do have a city councilor who's on the
the public welfare committee who comes pretty regularly to the meetings, but I did not get the agenda out to them. Um Amanda has a bunch of different things happening.
And a bunch of different job titles, so she wears a lot of hats. And so you know, that's like um If it was later in the day, does that I don't even know what your work date is. >> Um 8:00 to 4:30. I I I can't commit to
anything after hours, so it has to be I mean, I wouldn't mind late afternoon, but I can't do anything after 4:30 just with personal obligations. >> So >> So if we did like a 3:00, would that if that would be helpful or I don't know. It might be helpful for
some of them. >> I mean, more so than 1:00 or >> Right. And 1:00 is like smack there. You know, that or if we think the opposite and do like a noon where someone could join via the internet on their lunch break if they really wanted to join. I mean,
that's it depends how you look at it. >> 3:00 is when the kids get out of school, too, so that's going to >> Yeah, I think there's going to be a challenge regardless of what time, you know. So. >> Um I don't have a preference on that. >> Good. Great.
So, we are going to follow up with um doing meetings virtually with the possibility of changing the times. And is Wednesday still a I guess for now, we'll
we'll go with virtual and time changes. >> I would suggest we try maybe the 3:00 if if that works with the DPW. Try that first at 3:00. >> Okay. >> I would also say that Mark was able to do Zoom from this meeting room he was in yesterday as
well. So it is possible. >> But they brought all their gear and all that stuff. >> Yeah, kind of. They didn't have it that way. They brought it in. That was just for the projector. So the people in the room could see it. They had the whole Zoom meeting itself was going off the
laptop on the table. So. >> All right, so that kind of takes care of um the um meeting virtual virtual option for committee members. So we'll check that off as already talked
about. >> [clears throat] >> And we need uh Adaptive Sports Association program at Durango in Colorado. >> So the Adaptive Sports Association is in Durango, Colorado and they have a program for people with disabilities to
apply twice a year and they'll give you a scholarship and send you out to Durango. You stay with a host family and you can try a bunch of different sports. So I actually applied and was chosen and went in May and I did rock climbing and
scuba diving in a pool and mountain biking and just tried kayaking, all these different sports. So I just wanted to share that experience and encourage people with disabilities to apply because it didn't cost me anything to go and I left with way more confidence and I tried
things I would have never tried at home. And I know we have adaptive programs out here, but I was always like, I'm not sure if they're right for me, but you know, they had me as an amputee. They had another amputee. They had a couple of people who used wheelchairs, and no matter your disability, they made it
work. They didn't say, "What do you need want to do?" Um and I think just for confidence and uh you know, just personal growth, it's a fantastic opportunity, and you know, we're from Gardner, but we still got chosen, and then they do it twice a year. Um they choose
four to five people. They chose four for the spring. So, I just wanted to share that it does not matter what your disability is. They'll make it work. >> Isn't that something you would post on the disability website or the >> Um I was going to say I shared it on the Facebook.
>> It might be helpful um for stuff like that. If you know of an upcoming to like add the links on the agendas that if people can apply ahead of time, like if when you know it's coming up, maybe we can send them a link. >> Yeah. >> Cuz I I think a lot of people probably
would have applied, but didn't know about it or something. So, I think as things come up, it might be helpful just to add to our agendas to say like maybe have like an upcoming um like I don't want to say resources, but maybe like up and coming, you know,
events or >> Yeah. >> opportunities. >> Yeah. disabilities cuz I was just I saw it on a newsletter from the amputee coalition, and I clicked it and applied. I was shocked, but you know, excited. And I'm just like I would have never
known about it if it wasn't for that. >> That's a great opportunity. >> It really was, and I just I paid nothing to go, and I had such a great time, and I felt like, you know, I I told the story to the people there, I use one sock because I'm an amputee, and that's normal. And the Thursday I
was there, I went and grabbed two socks, and I was like, "Oh my god, my brain forgot I was an amputee." And I'm doing all these amazing things that I feel like, "Holy cow, and we need to keep doing things for myself but I also want other people to do that for themselves cuz it was just I
was like, "Oh my god, I haven't eaten two socks in 5 years." And you know, those are that's a significant moment on my journey. I just want other people to experience it if they want to. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but it's really great.
>> Awesome. >> I think it's great. >> She made it and the confidence building and and she sent me a picture of her on the rock wall all the way to the >> top of the top, yeah. >> [laughter] >> Which was kind of scary looking.
So, thank you Danielle for that lovely and um um Is it Did you put it on the Facebook page? >> No. >> Okay. >> All right. Mark >> public meeting update. Do you want to talk to us about it?
>> Yeah, we um Danielle, Gavin and I all went to the public meeting last Sunday held here and they were talking about the various route changes, considerations, and trying to be more efficient, and trying to match
transfer times up better. Um and there were some changes on various routes. Not Not really The only change in Gardner that was significant was the bus three which is the Walmart, hospital, Walmart, hospital route. It's a quick one. It's going to
also now go through the now and choose it. Which is a good thing. >> Yeah. >> Um >> And the transfer times on bus one will line up with three. >> On bus one, yeah. >> That was the other big thing in Gardner. >> Yeah. Like the transfer times were really
really important. What came out of the meeting was that there are still A good thing that came out of the meeting is they're considering starting an ABA group within the mark on people that
have ABA interests and >> Like an advisory >> An advisory sort of thing. And so they have our names. >> You Did you give them your name? >> Yeah. And then yeah, my name as well. Things that they're not necessarily considering that
should be It was a I don't know what else to say. >> Um and now they're using a lot of these different meetings. They think that they're doing a good job. They think that they're compliant >> Yeah. >> until you point something out to them
that just doesn't work. >> I mean like one of the things that Gavin has to deal with is the um the the the verbal communication that the bus is supposed to give at every stop. >> Mhm. >> And it seems to be tied in with their GPS. Am I Am I understanding that
correctly? >> Yeah. There's a >> If the GPS is working on the bus, then that >> From the mobile app. As I was saying, the GPS on the mobile app is linked to the audio feedback. >> So he knows, you know, oh, this is the stop before I have to get off.
Um but it doesn't always work. He said one time out of 10 it works and the journey 10 out of 10. >> [snorts] >> And um some other changes
And the bigger the bigger group, nothing really >> They're cutting Inner City is no longer going all the way to Leominster. Um instead they'll have a every 30 minutes at City Hall, you'll be able to get to Fitchburg. And then it'll be every hour from Fitchburg to Worcester. Um instead
of it currently being a 3-hour Um so you'll be able to get from Gardner to Worcester in an hour and a half on their new system. >> Interesting. But it doesn't go to every hospital like it used to. >> No. >> Um what about stops in South Gardner? Did they say anything?
>> No changes. >> Okay. >> There there is a um there is a survey out on the MART website on their Facebook site where you can comment on the various um stops. >> Mhm. >> They're they're adding and maybe
subtracting some um >> Mostly out in the Apple Valley. >> Yeah, okay. But like I got on and I said, "You know, you really need bus you need a shelter at Walmart because people can't stand outside and see the bus come. >> Yeah.
>> And and they have to be outside and it's cold there. But that's that is a battle I think that's ongoing between MART and and uh Walmart, but but I would send my two cents on that and a couple other places.
But that you can go on to and do do those comments. >> It was an interesting mix of people. >> Yeah. >> There were there was a good contingent from Apple area. >> And they come. Never really got any information. I
didn't ask last night though why that meeting was canceled and we didn't know it was canceled. So it wasn't. >> Oh, well. >> [laughter] >> I just want to add I like we spoke to Stephen um from MART and he shared he
has a background in medical transports and knows how important it is to follow all the the rules and you know, he has his the ADA concerns are top of mind and he was very open to feedback and he said he'll kind of learn from the experience
and and from people that um have disabilities and care for people with disabilities. So, I was really encouraged that he's running things, and I feel like that's a positive change for people with disabilities. >> It's always good to hear from the now like each each sector that you
>> Mhm. >> So. >> Well. >> Michael Frank, the transit planner at MART, is very eager for people to email him with any advice on the route changes. He He's very much willing to extend
hours in the day at routes if needed, add stops. He wants to prevent blocking altogether if possible. So. Um they're very willing to work with people. >> And then also, I I asked a question about where's the What's the best way to get a complaint
lodged? Concern. Because a lot of people will pick up the phone, and they'll call the dispatchers support. It will overwhelm dispatchers. They can't keep up with the scheduling. And then that just gets dropped, I think. So,
he said to use the email, contact MART. If there's a concern about a drive driver or There was a little bit of, you know, people complaining about certain situations that wasn't quite appropriate, but that's >> It happens.
>> So, we need to do some updates to our page on on the city site with some of these links. >> Yeah, I had a list that I shared. So, I can resend that, and maybe add the MART contact information on there. >> It goes to Rachel Roberts.
>> Rachel Roberts. >> Thank >> Mhm. >> Um underneath this is we have the Greater Gardner National Night Out. It's on August 6th from 5:30 to 8:00. Um
we had a table there last year. >> And um I think we did really well and uh it's just nice to be present, be part of the community. >> Right. >> So. >> Mhm. >> Are we available?
>> I think I am. >> I just heard of this. >> Okay. All right. >> Uh they do require raffle baskets. So we asked what it was and I just said a summer fun theme cuz I thought like that went over really well last year. So we got to organize that.
>> A summer fun basket would be All right. So um do we want to like communicate by email or phone as it gets closer to coordinate our efforts? >> Mhm. Sounds good. >> All right.
Billy, you ready to be the >> Sounds good. >> the hanger? The hang up guy that >> Yeah. >> Yeah, I'm around. All right. >> And I requested a table and chairs for us and said the three of us would go cuz I figured if you weren't >> Okay.
Great. On to old business. Um are there any updates from City Hall or anything? Well, what's happening in the clerk's office? When is T all done? >> Um her last day is June 12th.
Um and they're they conducted interviews for a new clerk. Um >> No. I just found out only because I emailed her because Suzy's not there anymore. >> Suzy's with City Hall, but she moved to the apartments. >> Okay.
So, there's just Jay >> Mhm. >> for now. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Good. Uh City Council update There hasn't been any updates. Um I will say that I was at the last school committee meeting.
Um somebody got it in their head that they could just move one of the benches, and I said, "No, no, no." Um Sorry, you didn't get the memo. >> I wanted the side benches. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, >> Almost like trying to return them.
>> I talked I know. I talked to you I had talked to Councilor Tyros. And I said there's some people that are a little disgruntled here, and I said we do need to move the bench that's over against the left wall cuz it doesn't
matter how agile you are when you try to stand up to do the pledge, you can't push your chair back far enough to stand up. So, I said if we could put maybe put that out in the hallway against the wall and put the chairs that
are there over there. >> Yeah. >> Cuz the primary reason for that was the acoustics and for people with um hearing issues. But I said, "No, you cannot have that
long bench over there because that's companion seating." Um Yeah, I was surprised that um there are people who just said, "Move the boat." So,
you have to stand up round, I guess, on some of these. Uh the solar evaluation transition plan. >> Um going out the ramp with the mod to see if we can get funding for that.
I think that can be done this coming year, so. Um obviously we didn't have that credit in the first place. We wanted to use that as a choice in the funding. The problem with the transition moving forward with probably both coming is the plan
is it limits the grant opportunities. Um cuz most of them will ask for it. >> Mhm. >> If it's just building needed. So. Um it's
So that just brings us to other business. I participated. Is there anything anybody that I missed that we need to talk about with you? >> Um >> Oh, I have a couple of questions, I guess. One is that I I sent to you and maybe
the building building inspector Clark that picture of that sign, the bike path sign. Has there been any >> I haven't heard anything. >> Did I send that concern to the right people? >> I don't recall at the top of my head who
you sent it to. >> I want to say um >> Wallace, so she's a building commissioner. >> Um I I honestly I don't know. I I'm not sure what her purview is if it's like she's a building commissioner, but I don't know as far as like is that a
zoning issue? I don't I don't I don't know. That's I'm not sure who that would go to. >> Did you send it to the GC, the building manager? >> No, I didn't. >> I'd do that. >> The general contractor? >> If he knows this concern, he's going to go to the proper channels and say this
this is what I need you to worry about. So. He's going to be the one that's dealing with it. >> He's going to be the one who's cutting it out, right? >> I think they'll be replacing it. >> The um Did you receive the copies of the
complaint I sent to you about water for the two schools >> Yes. >> today? And then there was one that you had given to Daniel in that big envelope. There was a hearing, but nobody from the city came to that hearing or showed up.
>> We need to assume it's going to be you. Do you know who it is? >> know anything about it. I don't even know what the complaint was. I don't know anything about that. >> The hearing was for a variance, right? >> It was a variance, and it had to do with um
um the building where CAC used to be. >> It's a doctor's office now. On the corner of um the parking lot across from um the post office. >> The bank.
>> Not the Gardner Fellows building. >> What is it? >> Gardner Fellows building. Is that what you're trying to point to? That's where the library used to be at one point. >> It's a credit union building. Yeah. So, I think that's what it is. So, I
I still have no clue who is supposed to be addressing some of these things. >> So, with this you actually did receive in your email. This was recent. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> The one I sent you today. >> was because the contacts listed with the
city were incorrect. >> Right. >> Is that right? >> Right. >> Yeah, right. And then yeah, it was feedback. And it just basically the architectural access board responded to the complaint and said this is a local issue. So, if you have issues
with this specific building there, that's not our responsibility. You have to reach out to Gardner Fire. So, um they're not >> And this is a lot of fruit trees >> Right. And they're like the things you're complaining about are local and
not federal or state-wide. So, the architectural access board is referring them to Gardner Fire with their complaints. >> Well, the problem is, too, is that it's one person who personally files all this stuff.
>> So, now they don't really go with it and we don't know if they will, but you know, if they want Gardner Fire to look into it, they will. They're just going to move forward, so. We'll see what happens today. >> So, what was the process on the the dog park thing?
>> A complaint was made. We didn't receive any information on it. Because we had a complaint that was wrong. But, it's that it that's been resolved. >> Um last we spoke with Dana, I don't know if he had a plan on what he was going to
do as far as like digging up an area and putting in a a walkway in to the pavilions. >> And he had asked for he had put in writing a request for more time. >> Yep. >> And that's what this this looks like.
It's also more time. >> And we had um Daniel and I had gone out to the dog park and we had also talked with him. Um he actually asked us about the playground area as well. >> Mhm.
>> What maybe they could do right now to make it to make certain parts so accessible. And Daniel and I actually physically looked at the play where the equipment is and said, you would probably want an
entrance, you know, something accessible here, here, and over here. So, he was really asking our advice and listening. Willing and is funny to do anything at this point. He also reuses equipment and things from
other other projects or areas. So, if he's got it, he's trying. I felt I got the impression that he's tried. >> Mhm. >> Um you know, and >> All right. Instead of saying this is the bare minimum to meet the ADA requirements, he was letting us walk
around and just say, "This needs proper padding. This needs rubber matting. This to make it welcoming and actually accessible." Cuz sometimes it'll meet the standards, but depending on your mobility device or where you're, you know, just your mobility in general.
>> And the worst part is that like from the parking area actually into the parking space. >> Yes. I'm excited about that. Whole lot of kind of um obstacles. >> So, there's something in the way. Yeah. >> All right. Um If there's nothing else
pressing, I need a motion to adjourn at 1:33. >> I'll do that. >> Thanks. Second. All right. >> I agree.
>> Next meeting date to be determined. And yeah, we'll keep everybody in the Thank you, everybody.