DRAFT

MINUTES

Mansfield Advisory Committee

on Persons with Disabilities

Regular Meeting   - Tuesday October 27, 2009

2:30 PM - Conference Room B - Audrey P. Beck Building

I. Recording Attendance:

Present: K. Grunwald (staff), J. Blanshard, Barbara Rychling (guest), Lucien Bergeron (guest), F. Goetz, K.A. Easley (staff), C. Colon-Semenza

            Regrets: W. Gibbs, J. Tanner, J. Sidney

II. Approval of Minutes: The minutes for the September 22, 2009 meeting were approved as written.

III. New Business

a. Wright’s Way Resident Concerns: B. Rychling stated that there are major concerns with management of Wright’s Way, and she submitted a list of examples where she feels she has been discriminated against. She also reports that several residents have slipped on ice because the walkways are not properly maintained.  Lucien Bergeron distributed pictures of the conditions there.  Barbara has contacted the Housing Inspection Department for the town, which has investigated her complaints and report that there are no violations.  She states that the town reports that they are not responsible for the management of Wright’s Way.  Staff from the Town told the residents that they need to file a grievance with the Housing Authority’s Board.  J. Blanshard agreed to attend the November 19 Board meeting with them.

b. “Other”: none.

IV. Old Business

a. Accomplishments for FY 2009 and goals for FY 2010: K. Grunwald distributed a draft copy of the Annual Report to the Town Council.  The Committee approved the report.  J. Blanshard suggested that the committee should also explore the legality of buildings being “grandfathered” in regarding accessibility issues.

b. Accessible Parking Fines/Signs: K. Grunwald distributed copies of an article from the Willimantic Chronicle which credits this committee with raising the fines for handicapped parking violations from $85 to $150. The next step is to get the fine noted on the signs.  B. Rychling questioned how many handicapped parking spaces are required in their parking lot, as there are many residents there with permits.

c. Publicity efforts: J. Blanshard reported that she contacted T.C. Karmel from the Chronicle, and was told that she will need to contact Caitlin Dineen who is the reporter who covers Mansfield.  C. Colon-Semenza suggested publicizing the work of this group to the parents of children with disabilities.  Suggestion to utilize the Director of Special Services, Social Activities Group, and iParentnetwork.  K. Grunwald will follow-up with these action items.

d. Status of other accessibility issues previously identified: K. Grunwald reported that Bill Hammon is working on relocating the switch in the women’s locker room at the Community Center.

V. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 3:35 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Grunwald