Meeting Minutes

Members Present: Toni Schiff, Terry Horwitz, Doug Johnstone, Jo-Ann DiOrio, Laurie deSousa, Ken Russo

Members Absent: None

Minutes of the September 14, 2005 Disability Commission meeting were read and approved.

Old Business:

Doug read a letter to the Selectmen from Chair Toni Schiff regarding the Town Hall elevator.

Discussed potential new member to the Disability Commission. Doug will mail out an application for Town Board membership to help facilitate the process.

Beach Wheelchair: Doug updated Commission on current procedures for beach wheelchair use at the MacMillan Pier Parking lot. Suggested that in the Spring, along with additional notice of beach wheelchair’s existence, that the Parking Department record the names of users in order to know usage and amount of requests.

New Business:

Toni and Laurie reported on information obtained at a Cape Organization for the Rights of the Disabled meeting regarding “Managing your PCA (Personal Care Attendant) Program”. MassHealth will cover the cost for those enrolled in MassHealth. Individual to advertise, interview and hire attendant. Paperwork processing can take up to 9 months before approval. Doug will provide relevant informational materials obtained from the conference to Public Health Director Val Carrano.

Doug discussed issue of handicapped placards usage in Town municipal lots. As part of a Town-wide parking plan, it may be proposed to change current policy, which is not to charge those with handicapped placards a parking fee when in one of the Town’s municipal parking lots, to charging all users, regardless of whether they had a handicapped placard or not. No charge to those with handicapped placards who use metered parking spaces would continue as per State law.

Doug distributed an information fax received in Town Hall regarding home-based IRS jobs for people with disabilities. Doug will also provide a copy of the fax to Public Health Director Val Carrano.

Laurie read mail received since last meeting.

Ken informed Commission of health benefits of Tamiflu in potentially lessening the severity of the flu, including a new avian flu strain that has the potential to a larger public health issue in the future. Ken said that the drug is available by prescription and suggested that those interested should consult with their doctor.

Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 9, 2005 at 10:00 am.

Motion to adjourn at 10:40 am by Terry, seconded by Ken.

Respectfully submitted by Terry Horwitz & Doug Johnstone