Meeting Minutes

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

Members Absent: none

Others Present: Lorraine Kujawa, Rik Kapler

Minutes of the May 10, 2006 Disability Commission meeting were read and approved.

Old Business:

Wheelchair Accessibility Brochure: Michelle obtained the donated services of Melinda Ancillo from Minerva Central for the design and layout of the Wheel Accessibility brochure. Lorraine completed her research on business accessibility and provided Doug with the updated material. Last week Doug edited the old brochure to include Lorraine’s updated material, and he updated the supporting text, which he provided to Melinda Ancillo for her to begin layout and design. Doug distributed the copy to the Commission for their review and comments. Initial comments obtained in meeting with additional comments to be provided to Doug by noon on Friday, June 23^rd. Doug spoke with Tourism Director Bill Schneider about the brochure, and Bill said there might be potential unused VSB grant money for FY 2007 that may be available to fund printing of the brochure this summer. Bill requested that the Disability Commission make a formal request in writing to the VSB that they can then review at their next meeting, scheduled for July 10^th. Commission members voted unanimously to request funding through the VSB for printing of the 2006 Wheelchair Accessibility brochure, request to include distribution strategy and total amount requested with cost breakdown included. In addition, Doug attended the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on May 22^nd to request that a special gift fund be established so that the Disability Commission can raise money for the printing of the brochure. Michelle to work with Melinda to design collection canisters to be placed around town in an effort to raise funds. Canister “covers” were discussed and it was decided to use the phrase “Help our friends with disabilities enjoy our Town,” along with a silhouette of someone in a wheelchair, and the wording Provincetown Disability Commission.

Parking: Time limited parking on Ryder Street was discussed. Doug contacted ADA and learned that municipalities can enforce time limits. Provided that they officially adopted them (which the Selectmen did), and that adequate signage is used. Rik Kapler reported that he spoke with the Chief of Police who said that the current signage will be changed to reflect that the time limit also applies to those with handicapped parking placards.

Doug suggested that the Commission Chair request an update from the Selectmen of our May 12^th memo regarding the loss of handicapped parking spaces in municipal parking lots. Toni appointed Ken to contact the Selectmen’s Secretary on her behalf to check on the status of our request.

PTV: Michelle to follow-up on information from PTV regarding potential promotional ideas – possibly a program on disability issues, or a bulletin board type notice/announcement, or both.

New Business:

Toni confided to the Commission that her Parkinson’s is getting worse and requested that she step down as Chair. Commission members to bring nominations and vote in new Disability Commission Chair at the next scheduled meeting.

Doug distributed an excerpt provided by Health Inspector Brian Carlson from the 1995 Open Space and Recreation Plan that he is working on updating. Brian requested input from the Commission as it relates to accessibility of designated open space areas in town. Terry suggested that any future plans for development of open space and/or recreation areas be reviewed by the Commission as to their accessibility or lack thereof, and that this be added to the updated Open Space and Recreation Plan.

Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 10:00 am.

Motion to adjourn by Terry, seconded by Ken.

Meeting adjourned at 11:00 am.

Respectfully submitted by Terry Horwitz