2006-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Working with the committee, the Mashpee Report of the Commons Limited Partnership management has con. Americans with Disabilities tinned to make access improvements in Mashpee Commons. Recent improvements have been made in Act Committee the size and marking of handicapped parking spaces, the public restroom has been remodeled, curb cuts have been improved, obstructions have been removed To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the and some of the decorative brickwork has been Citizens of the Town of Mashpee: smoothed out. Commons officials are making every , effort to make Mashpee Commons as "user friendly" ; The Mashpee Americans with Disabilities Act as possible. Committee continues to strive to improve access to public and private buildings and facilities in Mashpee The Mashpee TRIAD completed a survey of all 1 for persons with disabilities and to increase awareness handicapped parking spaces in town for compliance of ADA requirements on the part of town officials, the with number, size and sign requirements. During the Chamber of Commerce, business owners and man- course of inspections and other visits, the Building agers. Department has provided businesses with letters out- ] lining the requirements and setting deadlines for com Committee members met periodically with town pliance. As a result of these efforts by the short. boards and departments to increase awareness of dis- handed Building Department many of the deficiencies ability access issues. One of the most significant mea- have been corrected. sures to increase and improve communication with I town officials was the appointment of Theresa Cook as Police Chief Collins has approved the formation' the Selectmen's liaison to the committee. Mrs. Cook's of a civilian parking patrol to assist in enforcing hand- I interest in and support of the committee's objectives icapped parking regulations. Mert Sapers has been 1 and initiatives have been a tremendous help in keeping working with police officials to develop and imple. ADA issues front and center in "official" Mashpee. ment the program. A small group of TRIAD members III Additionally, having senior personnel from the and graduates of the Civilian Police Academy will Building Department, Personnel Department and the comprise the patrols. The Police Department is devel- School Department as active members of the commit- oping procedures and providing training and equip-'1 i tee enhances communication with town officials and ment for the patrols. The patrols are expected to begin insures ADA requirements and programs are consid- operation early in 2007. In a related matter, the 1 ered in these important areas. Selectmen have implemented the change to the town bylaws approved at the October 2005 Town Meeting l 1 The committee benefited significantly when authorizing an increase in the fine for handicapped; Patricia Parolski applied to remain on the committee parking violations. The Board of Selectmen has sct 1 after retiring as Superintendent of Schools. She also the fine at$200. 1 volunteered to fill an ex officio position on the 1 Planning and Construction Committee in order to Increasing awareness of the need for more acces- 1 ensure disabled access requirements are considered in sible housing in Mashpee has been a major initiative 1 building and remodeling public buildings. Merton throughout the year. Committee members have mel 1 Sapers was appointed early in the year bringing with with the Selectmen, Zoning Board of Appeals, 1 him a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience Planning Board and the Affordable Housing i su from ears of working with TRIAD and the Senior Committee to articulate the requirement and seek p Y q I Center. port for the program during the permitting process.In 1. addition to the need for more fully accessible housing Thanks to the tireless efforts of Ms. Kathleen there is an even greater need for housing configured Moore of the Selectmen's Office, Communications such that disabled friends or relatives can comfortably . Access Realtime Translation(CART) service was pro- access the home or a person suffering a temporaryor vided at the May and October Town Meetings for the permanent disability may remain in their homes rather benefit of residents with hearing difficulties. than move to a nursing home or undertake a major Additionally, Ms. Moore insured large-print copies of remodeling project. This concept, referred to as the warrant were available for those requiring them. itability,"requires housing be constructed with at least Moving the meeting to the high school gymnasium one zero-step entrance, wider doorway and hallways significantly improved access for the disabled and and a bathroom a person in a wheelchair can access close-in parking was set aside for seniors and the dis- with dignity. abled. 100