Meeting Minutes

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

Members Absent: None

Others Present: Michelle DeMarco, Susan Miriam, Pasquale Natale, Larry Haile

Minutes of the January 18, 2006 Disability Commission meeting were read and approved.

Old Business:

Member vacancies discussed. Applications received from Michelle DeMarco and Susan Miriam. Both Michelle and Susan were present and introduced themselves to the Commission. Doug motioned to appoint Michelle DeMarco for a term to expire on 12/31/06, seconded by Terry – Approved 4-0 (Jo-Ann not in attendance for vote). Remaining vacancy to be appointed by Town Manager. Commission to send a memo to Town Manager recommending Susan’s appointment to the Commission.

Shank Painter Ponds Uplands memo to the Conservation Commission was distributed and discussed.

Town Board outreach memo was distributed and discussed.

Ken will write PAAM acknowledgement letter this week and submit to letters section of the Banner.

Wheelchair Accessible Brochure: Doug spoke with Val Carrano regarding updating of existing brochure. Val agreed to have Senior Volunteer supervised by the Town Clerk’s Office to update information as needed. Val discussed problem of funding cost to print new brochures and suggested approaching VSB for funding in their next funding cycle in December 2006 for FY 2008. In the interim, photocopies can be made. Michelle suggested fundraisers to pay for printing. Doug and Michelle to work on updating brochure and investigating ways to pay for professional printing.

New Business:

Pasquale Natale, representing the Cultural Council, addressed the Commission regarding Art in Public Places and a proposed sculpture in the small Town-owned park at the intersection of Alden and Bradford streets. Pasquale asked about any potential ADA requirements at the site. Doug said he would consult an ADA specialist at the US Department of Justice about the proposal and report back to the Commission and the Cultural Council with any findings.

Michelle offered to review all Town owned sites for accessibility and report back to the Commission.

Larry Haile from Partners for Youth With Disabilities spoke to the Commission about his organization and their need to find mentors on the Cape to work with children with disabilities. Larry also mentioned a specific youth from Wellfleet that could benefit by having a mentor and asked for any suggestions from the Commission. Toni suggested contacting the Banner for a possible human interest story that would also promote the program. Doug suggested contacting Public Health Director Val Carrano. Doug to provide Larry with Banner and Town contact information. Ken to e-mail Larry with a potential Wellfleet contact.

Toni related her experience with Comcast trying to install services but couldn’t due to Toni’s Lifeline connection. Toni felt this was unfair to those with Lifelines installed. Toni had said the Comcast technicians suggested she write a letter of complaint to Comcast. Doug suggested Toni also contact Cable Advisory Commission Chair Catherine Russo to see if she is aware of any contractual obligations by Comcast, or how this situation might best be remedied.

Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 8, 2006 at 10:00 am.

Motion to adjourn by Jo-Ann, seconded by Doug.

Meeting adjourned at 11:05 am.

Respectfully submitted by Terry Horwitz & Doug Johnstone