2017-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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continue to be encouraged by the obvious consideration Report of the of access requirements shown by Town permitting Americans with Disabilities agencies when considering applications for building Act Committee and remodeling projects. Our thanks to the various boards and committees for ensuring access issues are addressed in the process. To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Mashpee: Catherine Laurent and the DPW continue to be one of our biggest supporters, ensuring handicapped The Mashpee Americans with Disabilities Act access is incorporated into their projects. Committee's objective is to actively pursue efforts to Improvements at the Community Park, the Archives, improve access to public and private buildings and Town beaches, and the upgraded boat ramps provide facilities in Mashpee for persons with disabilities and to much greater access for the disabled. Thanks also to increase awareness of ADA requirements on the part Mike Mendoza, Building Commissioner, for of Town officials,the Chamber of Commerce,business aggressively enforcing the Town by-law regarding owners and managers,and Mashpee residents. handicapped parking. Mary Lou Palumbo,Director of Mashpee Chamber of Commerce, has also been The committee lost a valuable long-term member instrumental in keeping members aware of their in March with the passing of Beverly Wooldridge. Her obligations under the ADA. struggles with the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis gave her a unique perspective on the obstacles confronting Thanks to the cooperation of the Conservation persons with mobility problems. Her valuable insights Department and Mr. Paul Kruzel, New Seabury guided many of the programs, actions, and General Manager,the access to the beach at the Beach recommendations the committee initiated to improve Club has been rebuilt to include a ramp, allowing access for the disabled throughout the community. Her residents with mobility problems to get onto the beach. knowledge, experience, dedication, and wonderful New Seabury is also incorporating necessary sense of humor will be greatly missed. accessibility features into their latest housing projects. Michele Brady,Director of Special Education for Thanks to Town Clerk Debi Dami along with Mashpee Public Schools,departed Mashpee at the end Meg Santos and the rest her staff for their work in of the school year for a position in the Nantucket school ensuring Town meetings and elections are readily system. Michele served on the committee for four accessible to the disabled. The special voting machines years. Her vast knowledge of and experience with the enable people with a variety of disabilities to participate Special Needs programs and associated challenges in the electoral process.Thanks also to the staff in the provided the committee with numerous Selectmen's Office for arranging for the closed recommendations for actions needed to ensure this captioning capability(CART)and large-print warrants often overlooked segment of the community can that makes it much easier for Town meeting attendees achieve the maximum benefit from their experiences to follow the proceedings. with the Mashpee Public School system. We wish her all the best in her new position. We appreciate Mashpee Commons'management installing a curb cut connecting the two handicapped We are very grateful Jaime Curley, Michele's parking spaces by the post office with the sidewalk. replacement as Director of Special Education,applied This eliminates a dangerous situation that had required for and was appointed to the committee prior to our disabled citizens using those spaces to go out into the September meeting. Her knowledge of and experience roadway behind the cars to get to the closest curb cut. with Special Needs programs will provide the We need to work closely with Town boards and committee with valuable insights into access issues committees to ensure the Mashpee Commons throughout the school system. expansion projects are as "disabled friendly" as possible. As in previous years,our 2017 record was mixed. We saw a few areas where access has been improved The committee is undertaking a program in 2018 and other areas where much remains to be done. We to pair residents requiring ramps and other minor 86