Good evening. Welcome to the December 9th monthly Commission on Disabilities meeting. If we could uh please pledge allegiance to the flag. I have the trusty flag here. I'm trying to get it so it's not blurry. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, is indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Um if um um our co-chair Paul, our vice
chair Pauline um Perno could do a uh attendance roll call for me. I greatly appreciate it. >> Okay. Ralph Dico, you are >> present. >> Pauline Pero is present. Jason Baron,
>> present. >> Mario Gmanis, >> present. >> Ellie Vargas, >> present. >> And Ann Marie Fury. >> She is not here, but I believe she was going to be trying to make it. >> Okay.
All right. Well, that's it. >> Okay. Um item item number one is a motion to approve the meeting minutes from our October uh 14th meeting since we did not have a meeting in November.
It's been a long time since I've seen everyone. Hopefully you all didn't forget who I was. >> So I sent I sent the uh I sent the meeting notes to everyone um so that you could review it. I'm not sure if there were any errors. If there are any errors, if you could please let me know
uh so that we could update that and make any necessary changes. Um if there were if there were none, hearing none, seeing none, if I could have a a motion to accept the meeting notes as as posted. >> Motion to accept.
>> Motion to accept made by Mario. >> Second >> and second by Jason. Jason. Okay. Item item number two um is our usual item number two is a guest speaker. Uh at the time that I had had to post this, there was none confirmed
at the time of posting. Ian, since then we uh also confirmed that we do not have a um a guest speaker for the month of uh December. and Pauline is working on seeing if we get any anyone uh for our January meeting and moving forward to
our following month's uh commission meetings. >> I'm working feverishly to find some folks. I have um two leads. One actually my son is helping me with um for Katalo Ambulance, but the other one is for a um
an organization based here in Boston. It's called Humankind Casting and they specifically, it's a casting organization like for movies, TV productions, um, etc., billboards and whatever. Specifically looking for
people with disabilities or different abilities and >> that's great. >> That's who they hire, that's who they sign with, and that's who they promote. So, I'm trying desperately to get them and I would like to get them in either January or March only because I'd like
to see if CPAC would also like to join us that month whenever they come because they do sign on a lot of teenagers, elementary age kids that can help speak to the different abilities. >> Oh, perfect.
>> So, I'll you updated as we go through, Ralph, even you know, in between stuff. So if I can get them January or March and then hopefully I can fill in for January and February with someone else. >> Perfect. I also like the idea of Catalo Ambulance since um Jason has spoken in
the past that you know we would like to talk about you know if they have anything in place for for a um a resident or a person that is in a motorized wheelchair. um if there's any plans or actions in place for that
>> done about that because he's been called recently and there's been some >> different instances. So yeah, we don't talk specifics, but we talk about you know what if this >> right that you know those types >> great even you know if there is or there
isn't we can talk about it and hash things out and right >> have a little round table discussion on that that would be perfect thank you >> okay >> thank you so much on that >> um next is item number three updates and next steps from the October meeting um
we basically just got into that Pauline uh updates she's got future month guest speakers. The next item was updates. I know Ann Marie is not here, but I am going to talk about it about the music therapy program. Um they had we had stopped uh we had finished with the um
with the workshops. Um they really from from what I gather there really wasn't much of um an inkling of people going to it. And I wanted to open up the discussion here.
Um, I don't think at this time I'm going to move move forward with having the programming itself. And I just to my recollection when we had them here for our meeting and for our discussions
moving forward, we had told them that we wanted Rever TV to be able to uh video those workshops. Um, and we were going to reach out to Rever TV. This is nothing on Reier TV because we were told by them that they
did not want us to do that after because of privacy. But we wanted these workshop. These are just workshops so that um people would be able to see what the program was going to entail. But we received an email from them that they did not want us to do that after we had
started and and and booked these workshops after the first workshop and second workshop. Well, before the work second workshop, I said I wanted to try and contact our local community access TV to see if they'd be available for the second or the third uh inclination of
the workshop, but we received an email back that they did not. Am I wrong by stating that we did mention to them that >> we did we did mention >> that was our that was our reasoning for doing the workshops and wanting to have um rever TV video because sometimes the
parents were not going to be able to come to those workshops but this way we had a video um video I'll say documentation of what this program would entail for people to see that couldn't make them in person to the world >> because just going to beformational
Well, correct. It wasn't It's not about therapy. It's not the same as doing therapy, which even if they were doing that, you're not in it's not like individual therapy where you're talking. It's just so their their whole privacy thing is baloney. Now, what you can do if it came down to that, if something
happened, you either get a release from everybody or you just block out the faces that don't need to be seen because the main purpose is the person that's actually conducting it, >> right? And it's almost like a se it was almost going to be like a seminar just explaining. But even if it wasn't But even if it wasn't that, even if they were doing an actual therapy session to
show what it looks like, they don't get into private information. Now, if somebody didn't want their face and they didn't sign a release, you don't show their face or you just show the person that's conducting it. The purpose is to get people's attention. That is the original. So, >> their argument baseless and ridiculous.
>> And I don't think >> I just wanted to make sure I wasn't I wasn't off base by saying that. That was one thing that >> No, that was one of the things we wanted to do. I don't think you know they understood that or the person didn't convey it to their management but there
is no privacy issue there that is there is a it's just for purposes of you know educational but even again regular therapy you just get a signed release it's all it is is to show what it's like so even if you did a regular therapist which you want to do that too you want
people to see what they're dealing with >> right >> because the workshop is the part to tell somebody about something which helps them get free marketing. So, they're full of baloney. Number one. Um, with free marketing, who wouldn't want that, >> right? >> Um, number two, you've got there is no
privacy issue because there isn't you're not getting into HIPPA things per se like cat. If they start talking about a file now, now we got a problem. You see my point? So, there's no reason for that to even be >> because even if they did a regular therapy to show one or two, that's not
going to hurt anybody either. >> Yeah. No, because I was I was that's why uh I'm like at this point I'm you know I have to rethink on what we want to do because it really wasn't I believe the first the first workshop I believe there
was five uh five people that showed up for it. I haven't gone. That's why I was hoping that maybe Ann Marie was going to come and she was able to touch base with the River Rec Center to see if they had the exact numbers, but I I I think as they the the second and the third um I
don't we may have even canled the No, we had all three, but I think that that the numbers dwindled for the workshops. So that's why I really wanted to have um be able to have this. So that >> maybe you should maybe you directly Ralph should reach out to leadership
ahead of that and say >> well I did I put it I did put an email and I think Pauline I think I had you on it too stating that um we did discuss that we wanted to be able to have um our local access um TV channel recording it
so that we had something to show people what the program would entail uh to to peique some interest. Um, >> there's no in you in you wanting to put that on TV than if there was a seminar for a continuing ed program where
they're filming the speaker who's presenting information on such and such a topic. Even if they use mannequins or whatever else, there's still privacy issue because you're not involving the you're not involving anyone else except for the organization that's giving it. >> Exactly.
specific in their their um little bylines or or in their contracts that you know we were not privy to. Then you know you're talking about taking it to you know see if you want to press it that far taking it to the legal team and say you know how can we how can we best
meet them so that we can have what we want and they get what they want without anybody getting violated anywhere. You know >> people have gotten too far with that. >> Oh yeah absolutely. I mean, you you know, it's one thing for a hospital and even that I've seen people cross lines. I'm that's all I'm going to say about
that cuz I believe me, I've seen and heard plenty and so they're full of it. And so they're I don't understand to me that shows they're bad business. They obviously have something to hide. What What are you trying to hide? There's no
privacy issue. Their standing doesn't make sense on it. It just doesn't add up. I I don't know. I what I mean Ralph was with that you directly should talk to them not just email you should talk to leadership and be like well where are you getting this idea because the idea is to market your program but also show
people how this works so that parents can feel at peace because people aren't going to just sign up for things if they don't really know what they're doing. >> That's right. And this is a that has never been brought forth. >> Right. This is a new program that we wanted to bring in as as a benefit to these families and these these children
and young adults. All right. >> Yeah. All right. Thank you. I just wanted to get some feedback on that. Thank you. Um, moving on, Ellie. I'm hoping you have some good news for me about the Re Beach Crossings
>> because I I the weather has been bad and I'm literally leaving on vacation in two days. So, when I do come back, I have to see if they do that crosswalk. We need it and it's going to get worse. You're seeing the streets and I I'm thinking
when I do come back want to talk to the city and and and and other representatives because a lot of the streets are not that well. >> Yeah. Because they're down the beach. Just just send it send an email to re reset submit that email to
Representative Charco and then just follow it up with a call because I really we really this has been going on too long and we really need something done. Um, and I I know I I can't do this. That's why I wanted to have you and I know you be able to press it.
>> I'll do it. Yeah. >> And at this since you're talking, I just want to let you know Ellie was just um was just um reconfirmed uh on the commission for was it was it a three-year term? >> Yeah, three year, I believe.
>> Yeah. On the beginning of was the was the beginning of was it the beginning of November? When did you go? literally two weeks ago. >> Okay. Because the dates all run together for me, so I don't remember when it was.
>> I think it was during a uh uh here uh the commission meeting something. Yeah. >> Yeah. It was the it was the appointments committee meeting that you had to go. I just didn't remember what date you had to go up there. >> Yeah. Yeah. It had a bunch of other committees go there. >> Yeah. The council they usually have it
before the council meeting. >> Awesome. >> Yeah. Okay, perfect. Um, okay. So, uh, I will move on to, um, item number four was Kota Commission on Disabilities
Alliance, uh, meeting on December 3rd. It wasn't it wasn't ready for the posting. Um, but I I have some basic um notes for that meeting. Uh, at that that at December's uh, KOD meeting. Um they
basically there was some discussions on um parking accessibility and the differences between the ADA and the AAB. Uh the ADA is the federal uh accessibility standards and the AAB is the architectural access board uh which
is the state um accessibility regulations which fall under uh what's called 521 CMR. uh just talking about the different regulations. Um mainly we were discussing the parking accessibility for parking lots and what
the uh ADA 2010 standards of accessibility design uh what what qualifies for that and what institutes the uh the state AAB regulations and when that is in effect. So which one has
jurisdiction and which and what which one takes precedent. So that was one of the main talking points. Um another area of uh discussion at the coder was they would there there was a lot of
discussions um uh regarding the um regarding the accessible voting machines um and uh how a lot of them are uh defunct and they're looking to the COD is looking to form a subcommittee
um to discuss possibly writing a letter to Secretary Galvin's office. Um, it's I believe that with the Automark machines, uh, if I have that correct, Elliot, that's what they're called. Correct. The Automark machines. There's
a lot of a lot of issues, especially, um, I believe it was the Boston uh, Boston Commission was discussing that they had a lot of issues with them this past election. Um, and I guess that's universal. There's a lot of issues with them. So, um, you know, municipalities
are mandated to have to use them. So, they're looking to put a subcommittee group together to from Makota to possibly write a letter to the the Secretary Secretary of State Galvin's office uh in regards to the issues with those machines. And lastly, uh the
Newberry Port Cood uh mentioned a project that their local Lions Club is doing that they have been um consulted on and talking with them about their failings called Right Here. Um, I believe I've mentioned this before, they
are beacons uh that they're putting on their accessibility trails that um the visually impaired uh can log into an app on a phone or a tablet uh and it will
let them know what they are um what they are near on an accessibility on a on a trail. um so that they know um just to say that if it's a a building or something on an on a a trail or
something of u I don't want to say historic but something of significance so they know what what's there uh they're visually impaired um you can't see it also the other thing that they were talking about is possibly being able to use it um in other areas these
beacons um so that's a discussion that the uh Newbury report COOD um uh had discussions on. Other than that the that was um the um just of the monthly um protocol for the month of December and
the next meeting will be in January. Um, the next item we have is item number five. And I wanted to let everyone know that DCR's universal access winter 2025 2026 adaptive program schedule is out.
And what I am going to do is I am going to share my screen. Um, if I can let me just open it first and then I will share it. Let me open it.
And let me do a share. Wrong one. Back screen here. get this to work your screen. Let me know if that's popping up. See, >> there you go. >> Okay. Is it centered good enough for
you? >> Um, no. Well, it isn't centered, but if I enlarge my screen, I can kind of get it centered. I follow them on Facebook, so you can also go on Facebook to, um, look at their programming. As a matter
of fact, I was watching their skating. >> Yeah. >> So, um, they have their universal schedule. I'm also going to give you their their website is right here. It's mass.govdcr. gov um backdraccess.
If you go to their website, you'll be able to get their schedule. And I'm just going to uh scroll through this a little bit to see if I want to make sure it's going to scroll. It talks all about their adaptive cycling uh and different playgrounds. There's a
lot of information, adaptive ice skating and different places. Uh, but I'll just briefly scroll through some of this. But if you go to that website, um, and I'll back up to it so people can see that that website.
Um, there's one at the PZO Memorial Rink uh, has adaptive uh, ice skating. The PZO Memorial Rink is in East Boston, so they do offer some adaptive ice skating there in East Boston. Um,
they actually have it uh from Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 and it's free and the uh entry and equipment are free of charge. So, I am going to go back up to the main page
that has the website again. So bear with me as I as I scroll up so that I can get the main website on the page for you. There we go. It's uh move my cursor
and it is DC. I don't want to send them an email. No, I see that. >> Hold on a second. Um,
>> I think it's >> mass. Okay, it's this. This that was their email address. Sorry about that. Before their website is mass.govapec. So this is their website and you'll be able to get all the information about their adaptive programs. You'll be able to get their
winter schedule. Then if you follow that once their spring and summer schedule comes out uh all their schedules will be there. and the this the universal access uh program that's the uh the group and the program that came to our um all
abilities day out at River Beach and brought us the uh beach wheelchairs um last year and this year and that was free of charge. They do a great job. >> Yes, they do.
>> Right. So, I'll stop sharing that and I will move on to um item number six. Um item number six is chapter 40 section 22 um handicap funds collected.
Um they just wanted to let everyone know that the reveal parking department has sent a communication email to me asking if we can help allocate some of the monies that are collected that go into that fund. um that the Commission on
Disabilities has um to help pay for the lining and new signage of uh handicap parking spots and municipal parking lots. So what that fund is, what I had done um this under special uh legislation under the MGL um I was able
to have any handicap parking violation funds collected by the river parking department. All those funds are allocated to the River Commission on Disabilities to be able to use for programming and um any type of work done
that benefits people with disabilities in our community such as uh any type of accessibility to buildings or um structures or anything like that that's municipally owned buildings. That is so it has to be a municipally owned building such as city hall or anything
like that. And this is where we allocated the money for that um that program that we were using for the music therapy program. We paid for funds out of that. Um so I had sent them a communication
um to uh get me a cost analysis for it. Um, and we would be able to use some of those funds to to help them to pay for that lining of the handicap parking spots as long as they meet all the rules
and regulations under 521 CMR for the uh proper space. The spots have to be um have to be paved and have to be flat smooth surfaces. The access aisles have to be the adequate access aisles. the
sign. They just have to be in front of certain height uh requirements. Uh one thing that they had asked for and it is not required under uh under 521 CMR is the um the symbol on the ground, the painted symbol on the ground is not a
required regulation under 521 CMR. So I told them that we you know we wouldn't be able to allocate those funds because under MGL uh under these funds that is not uh a benefit since it is not a requirement.
Um a lot of communities a lot of people think that it's required to put it on the ground and a lot of communities only put it on the ground. The requirement in the regulations under 521 CMR is the proper signage in front of a spot on a pole or on a building at the proper
height and proper distance with the proper wording. Um, so I've just been waiting for them to get back to me uh what that cost analysis is um so that it can move forward, they can pay for it and then they can do a transfer of funds
out of uh out of that um that fund to to help pay for that. Um, I also wanted to um have some talks with the administration for any other um accessible uh projects that need to be done to help
benefit um the uh the disabled community in Ree for the municipal buildings such as uh anything that needs to be done to city hall. I know there were some projects um that when I was um involved as the um the ADA coordinator before
that they were trying to do that we had tried getting some grants for that at that time didn't that fell through but um there's some things that may be able to be done on a smaller scale that we may be able to to use some of those funds allocated to help with
>> well for the um the linage the lining and the signage is that going to be done by the city or are they contracting that out? >> No, it's going to be it's going to be contracted out >> out. >> Yeah, it out. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Um,
excuse me. Anybody had any questions on that? >> Um, item number seven is items from the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board, which is the MAB for variances. We received one that I will share.
Let me open this up so that I can share it first. Wrong one. Hold on. We received one. Uh, let me go back to my share. Share
and stop sharing. Okay. Let me know if you can see this form. Let me close. >> I've got it. >> Yeah. >> So, you can see, let me get to the beginning of it. Um, state the name and
address of the building facil facility. It's River High School. Is that what's showing on your screen? >> Yes. >> Okay. It's just going to take a second. Yep. So, this came from um Perkins. I believe it came from Perkins Eastman
um is the architect who's building um River High School. and they are uh if I get too technical just let me know because I know a lot about this and I was getting these before now in my other job um I'm really involved in a lot of
this stuff so I I I may get too technical and I don't mean to. So what they are trying to do is under um the state of Massachusetts under the Massachusetts architectural access board as I mentioned I believe earlier there are codes and regulations of access
accessibility code and regulations uh under what's called 521 CMR which are the building accessibility codes and when a building renovates our new building they need to uh they need to
follow a lot of these codes um and when they can't they need to go to the architectural access board for a variance. So what they are trying to do here for the new high school there's a couple of variances that they are are requesting. one of them and and I
believe they are looking for um requesting uh three or four variances and they all center around the auditorium uh for the center rail at the auditorium, the social stair at the building central commons and the
gymnasium bleachers. And so it it goes into um what the uh actual sections that they're looking for relief in. Section is 24.4 4 um which 24.4
um is because of this lack of a landing at the ramp alley auditorium housing. It's common for the slope of the housing seating with auditorium to continuous and unbroken. In this case the house is 1 and 12 which is uh is is one in one
foot for every 12 inches and 36 by 37 feet in length. And in order for the seating to be provided with proper sight lines and equal views throughout the house, it does not have the landings on landing areas which be required within a ramp and slope of this length. So that
was one of them. So they have three different ones. Another one is with the handrails at the ramp aisle at the auditorium. Um they don't have the uh the proper ramps. I mean the proper uh handrails at the ramp side. They also um
another one is another one is door clearances uh door door clearance at doors in recess of greater than six inches due to energy codes and exterior ward exterior wall assemblies of modern buildings designed to meet the newest versions of code requirements and a
minimum of 6 in continuous insulation. Uh closing these captivities in weathertight way creates a deep wall section which is an which is an issue for single leaf doors. a lot of these variances. Um I can see
the reason for it. Um Boston Center for Independent Living um weighed in on these um and they they they don't they the only issue that they have is they didn't see any dedicated
wheelchair or companion seating in the auditorium. Basketball uh court bleachers are are social stair stairs. Um with regards to their request for the number four where those doors uh they needed a variance because of the the
inlay because of the special insulation. They are asking they they wanted to see if those single-user restrooms uh if they could provide automatic door openers to help alleviate that issue. Um, I know there's a lot of technical
things, but as a commission, um, I would be in favor of these. I want to see if they detailed, um, their railings. Uh, I've seen a lot of these requests go through. The architectural access board may ask them to do a couple of different things on
the railings for the auditorium because you do need um certain railings and platform. And when you have so many feet, you need a level platform. You need a ramp to get down to it or another way to get down to um to the the bottom
level uh without a ramp. But they may have um they may have an access with an elevator to get there. Um, so when it goes to the AEB, um, the only questions that I think are
going to come up is what the, um, what the Boston Center for Independent Living came up with asking them is the dedicated wheelchair and companion seating in the auditorium. And the uh the they're looking for
relief to allow them to have those those doors um at the restrooms because they have a 6 inch gap which is kind of tough for someone in a wheelchair to be able to get into that 6 inch to get in there with a wheelchair to pull the door open.
So BCIL, which is the Boston Center of Independent Living, is asking if they could put an automatic door opener on the outside of that wall so that uh someone who uses a wheelchair or uh uses some type of assisted uh assisted device
does not have to worry about going into that little area to open the door. there'll be an automatic door opener that will open it for them from inside and from outside, which is a uh which is a a good request. Uh that I'm I'm sure that will be u will be uh
will be a a good resolution for that. So, I just wanted to let you let everyone know on that that um I don't see anything out of the ordinary with requesting these uh these four
variances. I just hope they do the elevator. I mean the the bathroom and I was in the Garfield school since it opened after was it it was opened in 1990 and uh it's
they didn't have enough seating and also between the chairs. You don't know if someone's having a a 20 by 18 chair or larger. So I mean I was an architectural person so I know minimal for a door
frame for someone disabled is at least minimum 3T 6 in >> 32 in. >> Yeah. >> 30 actually 36 now. >> No it's 36 with a 32 inch opening. >> Oh a 36 inch door provides a 32 inch opening.
>> Okay. >> I see. >> So I hope I hope the new construction does that. So >> yeah we need any input. Yeah. And all as you can see, let me make this a little bit smaller. All these doorways, that's why the BC BCIL
is request number four is all the doorways. And that's why the Boston Center for Independent Living is uh request is asking them if they can put automatic door openers at those doorways. >> No. Okay. >> All doors should be automatic. >> They should. Yeah. >> Yeah. that all doors should be automatic
rail because it's impossible when you're in a chair, especially a power chair when you're in it trying to hold the door. >> It's dangerous. >> Under 521 CMR, automatic door openers are not required. They're only required
in certain circumstances if there is not the proper hinge and latch side. You have to have 12 inches on the on the hinge side and 18 inches on the on the latch side. If that's not provided on a doorway, that's where an automatic door
opener has to go in with the V by variance or in a vestibule. If there is not four feet in between two doorways, that's where an automatic door opener is required. Automatic door openers by >> have you have you ever and I'll give you an example, Ralph. Have you ever gone to
the Apple store at Copley? >> No. >> Okay. Please go there and check it for yourself. you try to hold that door in a power chair or a manual chair. >> I'm not saying I'm not saying I'm not saying that it's hard to do, but I'm just saying by the
>> It's not It's not safe, Ralph. Somebody would get hurt. You can ask >> the bylaws, they don't care. I I've been around the school system as well. I have to push the chairs with my own front legs. >> Right. Right. Because because the bylaws the because the regulations don't
require it. they the only way that they have to do it is if they don't meet the the the pull the latch side and the and the uh pull side >> uh requirements under under the current under the current laws. The same thing
with the ADA laws is that our laws, believe it or not, 521 CMI are more stringent than the ADA standards. Um, so, so that's something that that you know they're working on doing. What what they're looking on doing and it has to be done by the legislature. What the
architectural access board is doing is eventually hopefully they can get it proposed to the legislature is that all new buildings and all new constructions are go they want to require automatic door openers, but as of right now, they're not. I totally understand. I
totally agree with you, but they're not. But there are issues and circumstances. And if the door weight is too heavy, that's another thing. A door has to meet certain weight. An exterior door cannot be more than uh 15 pounds.
>> And an interior. >> You ever seen the all glass doors? If you see the Apple store, it's all glass, including those doors. And even for my wife who's standing, >> that door was extremely heavy and sand. That's when that that's when you need to put a complaint in that they need to
regulate. There's there's mechanisms on the top of the doors that they need to lower the weight. It's if it's got a hinge on it, they can adjust the weight to lower the weight of the door. >> Okay. I'll have them take a look. I mean, just >> people who have that are in a power chair, what would happen and I and I can
see it if someone wasn't assisting. I could see the potentiality for uh a tibia break. And I've been through that as Mario knows. So, you know, with doors closing automatically and so I'm just looking at the future of this that too
many variances. They need to be I guess protecting people and I think there's there's a concern when they start asking for so many variances. >> Well, that's not well that's not a variance that they didn't get a variance to that. This one this one they they're they're requesting a variance because of the door is in because of the energy the
new energy codes that are regulated through the state now. >> Right. Right. Of course. So, so they're asking for that because of the setback. So, what the BCIL is saying is because it's not a requirement. So, they're saying to make it a lot easier, why
don't we put an have them put an automatic door opener there. >> That's variance. That's a variance to put one in. They're not required to put one in, but to make it easier. But on the when you're talking about the Apple's door, there was no variance to not put one in. They're not required to
put a door. They didn't get a variance to not put an automatic door opener in there. They weren't required to put one in, >> right? Yes, definitely. >> Yeah. >> So, that's where it is on that. So, I'm going to stop sharing my screen. L, you
understand a lot of that stuff anyway, right? >> Oh, yeah. I was the one that read the BCI part of that. So, I I was Yeah, I knew what was going on with the school. I was so mad, >> but you know, it is what it is. Well, they they they need to do the
right thing so we don't have to be in that place. >> But Jason, it's worse. If you go to the the the what is it? Northeast Metro Tech. >> Yeah, he was talking about that. >> Horrendous. >> That's the old school. That was the old school, right? >> No, no, they just redid the the street
to go up to the mountain. It's scary. >> Going down and up it, but it's not going. >> That's not the new school yet that they build. They're building a new vocational school. >> Yeah, but I'm just saying when they were doing the update for it, now they're >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. I graduated from that
school, too. So, I I know a lot of schools in re in this area. They're all >> not cool. >> Yeah, they're not cool. >> All right. All right. I'm gonna move on to item number eight. Commission members late items. Uh lateformational items.
I'm not sure if any commission members have any lateformational items. >> Yes, I do, believe it or not. Um, >> well, >> so on the green line part now with the shutdown, let's just put it this way. My trip today was horrendous on the return.
I I took a lift downtown to do something and I went to take uh the shuttle back. The first shuttle set up that was supposed to go to Kenmore. One person didn't tell the other person that I was getting off at Kenmore. We ended up on somewhere near up Babcock Street. Had to
turn back around and those people didn't talk to each other when I got down to Kenmore. So that created some issues for the driver. And then the last part, this is the kicker. I was in waiting for the sea train to go home. And when I was doing that, um, what ended up happening
is, uh, I was at the station and when I was waiting for it, the driver supposedly didn't see me. That's what he told my wife. So they had to radio downtown down down to where we were so that when the next train come they got me right away. But it was ridiculous. So
their whole setup in this and the worst time of year to possibly do this. Um I hope Philip gets good word of it that this is ridiculous. Cold not a good idea and it's I don't know. It would have been more light if they had done this in
summer. Um but just be cautious if anyone needs it because the green lines are are shut. So >> yeah, for two weeks now, right? Until the >> Yeah, it's going to be two weeks. Started uh yesterday and it's going to go >> until the 22nd. Yep. Through the 26th >> open on the 23rd.
>> It's crazy. >> In two days, I don't have to worry about the green line. Anyone else have any uhformational items? >> No, just a tag on the end of that one. Go on to MBTA's website for anyone who
is trying to take any of the um lines, whether it's blue, red, orange, or not green right now, but uh there's a series of escalator and elevators that are have been closed because they are being either updated or upgraded or fixed. So,
there's a number of them and you won't know until you get off and that you can't go to where you're trying to go to. So, um if anyone is considering taking the trains in and around Boston or suburbs, um take a look at the
closures, go under service interruptions and you will see all the closures for the escalators and elevators that are current. Um and there are quite a few of them. So, just be wary of that as well. >> Can you repeat that? Uh, do you have that website again? >> It's mbta.com and then you can punch in
under menu, punch in subway and it will bring you you can go on red, green, orange or blue, whichever one you want or all of them to check and it will list out all of these or delays. Um, and if you click on like you'll see a number
six. So it will be like six areas that are of concern on whatever particular line you're looking at. I know it right now it's mostly the escalators that are out of service. They're being updated and or upgraded. I don't have the full listing, but if
you go on MBTA's website and then you go onto the menu and punch in subway because you can do subway um or bus, punch in subway and then you can click on whichever line you want and it will give you the service interruptions that are current.
>> Thank you Pauline for that. You're >> welcome. That would be helpful. >> It's very interesting. >> Any other commission members? >> Item number. >> Oh yeah. The only other thing I was going to say we need to get the MBTA to
start doing something better about and Ellie I'm sure has run into this. You go to the elevators and they're people have used them as a restroom. So >> just another caution. Yeah. >> It's Yeah. So to wash your wheels and just I want anyone who's a sub with her
to hear that just it's too much of a surprise. >> You guys drive a lot of urine especially between government center or Harvard. Yeah, there's there's a lot of those incidents. >> It happens at Kenmore, too. It's it's >> lovely.
>> Even though Kenmore is a bathroom, so I don't get it, but whatever. um residents concerns or issues. Uh the only thing that I just wanted to let uh residents know I thought I had a sneeze coming on so excuse me. Uh I lost it. Um
I just want to let you know that uh everyone does know that when they fill out applications for for a handicap u parking sign um the commission of disabilities is just a facilitator. We just take all the information in and we pass everything along to the traffic
commission. Uh they're the ones that um approve or deny handicaps uh applications. Um there is no traffic commission meeting for December. They're not meeting again till January. So, anyone who has submitted an application
um after no after November um 22nd uh that will not be uh heard until uh the January meeting to ask for a public hearing. That would be that public hearing then would be in
February. So, I just wanted to let everyone know that um if you had recently submitted an application for a sign, uh it will be going to the traffic commission in January to ask for a public hearing for them to uh approve or
deny in February. Um next steps, our next steps we will just be um transferring over um just from item
number three um this month just the normal updates for the calendar and update regarding the letter sent to representative Turo. Uh we will no longer have to do the music therapy monthly. Um
and uh item number 11 reminder vice chaperno if you could read that for me please. >> Certainly. The commission on disabilities office number is 7812868267. Residents can also call Reier 311 directly and speak to their staff Monday
through Friday. They will answer most questions, but if they are unable to assist you or if you prefer to talk with the commission directly, please ask to be transferred to the Commission on Disability direct number. Please leave a detailed message and we will respond to you shortly. As always, please don't
hesitate to contact us if you would like to discuss or add something to our monthly meeting agenda. You can also let us know if you want to discuss any concerns. The commission is here to help you and assist all residents with disabilities and their families in
rever. >> Okay. Um next is um item number 11. If I can have a motion for a uh motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. Motion
>> motion to adjourn made by by Jason >> and Ellie. >> Ellie. Our next meeting is going to be on Tuesday. Ready for this? January 13, 2026.
I just wanted to take the time to wish everyone a happy holidays. I'm going to put it as happy holiday. I don't want to single out anyone's holiday by just saying uh one of the holidays uh by name
because I don't want to forget anyone. Uh unless unless somebody had knows all the holidays and I will leave it to you to say them all. Um because I don't know them all off the top of my head and I don't want to forget anyone. >> That and seasons goodies will work, bro.
Don't worry. >> And stay warm. >> Stay warm. Definitely. >> Happy and safe. >> Please have a happy and safe New Year. >> You too. >> Bye. Bye. >> Have a good night. >> Bye everybody.