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The Westport Commission on Disability held its meeting on July 27, 2026, chaired by Brian Gallagher. The commission began by unanimously approving the minutes from their June 2026 meeting. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to updating the commission's marketing materials, specifically a trifold brochure. Lisa presented updates on color coordination and sought feedback on content. After a lengthy discussion about including members' names, establishing a dedicated phone line, and setting response protocols, the commission decided to form a three-person subcommittee consisting of Lisa, Martin, and Kaylee to finalize the brochure's content and design. The commission then organized volunteers for the upcoming annual "Night Out" event on August 4, with Lisa and Martin confirming their attendance for the full duration. Lisa, in her role as treasurer, presented the financial report, noting a credit balance of $13,807.71 and a debit balance of $11,045.75. She explained that totals from parking fines for the new fiscal year were still pending. The commission also discussed the possibility of applying for ADA grant money. Another key topic was the legal obligations of businesses regarding service dogs. After debating the merits of hosting a large-scale educational presentation for area commissions and businesses, they decided to first have all members watch a training webinar on the topic, which Martin would distribute. Other business included a decision to engage with the Westport Fair committee on accessibility rather than staffing a table at the multi-day event. Lisa provided an update on her work with the Open Space and Recreation Plan committee and shared detailed ADA accessibility recommendations she prepared for the Gnome Surf Therapy Camp's proposed new facility. The commission also discussed the status of mobility mats at town beaches and the lengthy process for renewing handicap placards. The meeting concluded with an announcement of the next meeting on August 24, 2026, and a unanimous vote to adjourn.
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Good afternoon everyone. Today is a 27 a July 27, 2026 meeting of the Westport Commission on Disability. My name is [snorts] Brian Gallagher. I am the chairman. All of our members are present today. Um so we will have no remote participation necessary.
0:20The next thing on the agenda is the approval of the minutes of our June meeting. Did everybody get the minutes?
0:28Yes sir.
0:30>> Anybody have any questions, comments, um changes that they want to suggest?
0:36>> No.
0:37>> Then may I have a motion to approve the minutes of our June 2026 meeting?
0:42>> Motion to approve the meetings.
0:45>> Second.
0:45>> All in favor?
0:46>> I >> I sorry.
0:48>> Meeting minutes of the June 2026 meeting have been approved.
0:53The next thing on the agenda is an update of our commission's marketing materials. And I see that Lisa has passed around some things for us uh before the meeting started.
1:07And so Lisa, why don't you tell us what you've done to update our marketing? So, basically right now what I'm doing is um I'm getting everything pretty much colorcoordinated with the approval of our I think it was either the meeting before our last meeting with regards to our letter head. Um I did pick out uh colorcoordinated navy blue with white
1:31documents and letterhead. So we're kind of all colorcoordinated. Um, in addition to I was really looking forward from all of you with the content. I know we hadn't really discussed um previously and I don't know if in fact you guys remember the way the brochure originally looked as far as the format went. Um, I didn't really have an opportunity to get
1:57in detail um what exactly that we would like to address and how broad we would like to be. I know that with Martin and I going out into the community, it will be helpful to have a trifold brochure in a very general sense. We did check to see if in fact we could have a telephone number so not one person's cell phone number would be inundated. Martin actually followed up on that. So we can
2:24get a telephone number in order to do that. Um so I'm really at this point looking for feedback. I know that we did corrections as far as spelling went um and we did address those. If we if I need to resend that information back out to you, I'll be more than happy to do so so that we can get um so that we can get uh the verbiage back to know how
2:50detailed we want to be. I know that um Rick had mentioned maybe not putting like the officers in case that changes moving forward or the people who participate on the board. I don't know if everyone still feels the same way.
3:04From what I'm gathering in the community, especially when we did River Day, everybody identified with who we were. And a lot of people, of course, were asking for you, Martin, because >> you you were away. So, they're so used to seeing Martin as the face of the commission. So, there was a general where's Martin kind of thing. Um, but I I sometimes
3:25>> name show where's Martin.
3:26>> Yeah. Where's Martin? So, I think it's important to to um put our names out there because I think people are actually starting to associate uh our visual appearance with our commission, but that's the commission's decision.
3:42When I first joined this commission years ago, the then chairman thought it would be a good idea to have all of our photographs and included in.
3:53>> But as I look around, >> the membership changes, >> right?
3:58>> And so if you spend money to prepare a brochure now with all of our smiling faces, >> who knows in a month from now or two months from now, people might change.
4:08>> Sure. Um uh but if you put names on it, it's not so egregious and then and we can say, "Oh, I'm sorry. That person is no longer in the commission, but let me direct it to Martin." >> Correct. Absolutely.
4:23>> The nice thing, >> the nice thing about the format that we're doing is um we have a digital format and I know Rick will be able to um understand this. It's it's a little too technical for me, but the gentleman who's actually designing it said that we can input and take out information according to seasons, you know, if we
4:41have cleanup, if we have, you know, certain things that that are like fall, winter summer.
4:47>> I have a question about the telephone number.
4:50>> Yes.
4:51>> That we're going to have for our commission.
4:55>> Who's going to be answering that phone?
4:57>> Well, I figured, you know, I would allow I would recommend that you appoint someone Um, I I think it's a general number. I don't know how comfortable people are by putting their cell phone numbers. I know with our business cards we do. So, I would >> I have no problem putting my number. I don't think we get that many calls.
5:15>> You know, it's not like it's going to be ringing every day, but I I have no problem having my cell phone number. So, and and if if we have the general number, >> the general number, then of course Martin would have access uh accessibility to that general number and there would be also um there would also be like a recording. So,
5:33>> we we did in the beginning we did like a Gmail phone number, but the problem with that is if you don't use it, they >> they get rid of it.
5:40>> If Martin doesn't pick up, does it bump to the next person on the list or does it just go to voice?
5:45>> You could set it up that way if if you so choose to do that. My recommendation is is like I don't know and maybe we can ask other um commissions. I know that if there is a complaint or if there is something that needs our attention right away, they're encouraged to call the town hall obviously and then um we could also have like an emergency contact
6:07number if in fact it's an emergency kind of thing. Um or and or we can actually set up a telephone number where there would be um uh you could actually leave a message and then he would have access to that message process >> and we can encourage people to either call back >> or here is an email address.
6:27>> Correct.
6:27>> That you can send your your request >> pertinent information. Yes. Yeah.
6:34or a a mailing address here down hall >> because Martin regularly checks our mailbox right?
6:40>> Yeah, I just went by there. Yep. Nothing there.
6:43>> And um and if we receive information through either an email or mailbox, >> we do try to act on it quickly.
6:53>> Correct. And I think we could probably maybe vote on or like you said, have a discussion as to what you want the policy and protocol to be like. In other words, if someone is looking for assistance or help, you know, do you want to do a 48 turnaround time or do you want to do a three-day turnaround time, you know, whatever you feel uh Mr.
7:13Chairman, as far as how you would like to instrument that protocol?
7:17>> Well, it takes all of us to agree on what we're going to do about a certain thing, >> right? So, we can't say, "Well, we'll we'll have an answer for you within 48 hours." Because if we're going to wait until next month for us all to talk about it and then decide what we want to do.
7:32>> Yeah. I think it's more like letting them know that we received the information within a certain amount of time as opposed to um what what the resolution of the issue is because I like you said, the resolution of something could take a lot longer as opposed to someone calling in. I wouldn't want to see someone thinking like a month from now did they ever get
7:55my message. So maybe we could reach out to them within >> Could I make a suggestion? This might be a good place with Dick suggested before to do subcommittees. Why don't we just have a little subcommittee that puts this brochure together, bring it to the to the committee all together and then because of this going to take a lot of time. We've been talking about this for
8:10months now and now we're going to take another month to come back. So [clears throat] why don't we just get a subcommittee of three people?
8:17>> Okay.
8:17>> Me, you and Kaylee.
8:19>> How you like that, huh? all and told to jump on. I'm only feeling I feel like because you have some >> experience with, you know, with skills and >> Okay. Yeah. Are you all right with that?
8:30I'm sorry. I'm sorry to put you forward.
8:31You could just say, "No, no, I don't want to do it." >> I'm fine with that. I mean, we use that skill we use for um our phone line. We use a VIP. So, we actually use Vaage.
8:40So, it's not I have an app on my phone.
8:43So, if somebody calls me right now, I can toggle that phone number on and off, but I will get all the messages. If I wanted to forward it, I could forward it on to whoever I wanted right through an app on my phone. I can also use it on the computer and I do have a physical phone. I don't know if the town utilizes >> Vonnage or what they use for a cell
9:00phone system, but it is that's alternative and it is a little pricey, but >> is that is that all right with everybody? Do you feel like we should do a subcommittee thing? I just feels like we're going to spend a lot of time trying to get everybody to agree on one thing that we would come together. I think the main thing is that this should be kind of a broad you mentioned it
9:17should be broader specific a broad >> very broad >> brochure just just to give people an idea of what we do as a commission um what resources we have and then the numbers will be available for more questions >> correct and if you remember on the trifold it has like the general mission statement um things that we have accomplished because you Martin and and
9:35and uh Mr. chairman had uh expressed to um kind of like note some of the success stories.
9:41>> Yeah, that's the success story.
9:42>> We took pictures of the um the uh recreation playground board that we done. So, we have filled it in and I'm going to reset.
9:51>> I think it's threequarters of the way done.
9:52>> It is threequarters of the way done. So, we're almost there.
9:54>> I think it's I think what we're at right now is there was some concern about um how in detail uh we want to get involved in the verbiage part of it. Um, and I think that's really what we need to address. And then once we get that, everything else is all set up and ready to go.
10:11>> The brochure should have the website address. So, >> correct. Correct.
10:15>> So, if we did have like a subcommittee cuz really I've been floating it and then, you know, with your direction and then bringing it here on a monthly basis. It would be helpful if we could just kind of button it up and um get ready for >> present it to you guys and you guys can pay it and then we can start printing.
10:30>> I'd be more than happy. That's a good idea. the help would be greatly appreciated because I I don't feel comfortable enough to make all the decisions.
10:37>> I kind of feel bad because now we got the um uh the night out coming up. We're not going to have the brochure ready for that.
10:42>> No, but I can do um like a handout like we did the last time. Um and we can do something very simple and we can Are we allowed to send it out to everyone if we did a flyer before our uh before the national night?
10:56>> To all the residents in Westport?
10:58>> Yes. All the residents in Westport um will be invited. The nice thing is is that we get a lot of activity at our booth last year and it would be nice to hand something out. We gave candy to the kids and we did have a little um >> we did have activity for that.
11:16>> So you you do get a lot.
11:18>> Could you also just do a QR code?
11:20>> Yeah, QR code would be good too.
11:22>> Like you could just put a framed QR code on the table and then people can scan it and it links directly to the website.
11:28That's a good idea.
11:29>> Yeah.
11:29>> And then you don't have to worry about flyer.
11:30>> Well, flyers I I always think are important because some people are not techsavvy, our older clientele, and they look for that flyer. You get both.
11:38>> But you could print like a couple out and then those that want it. Sometimes, unfortunately, what I see with flyers is that they get thrown in the trash. Yes.
11:45>> So, you want to make sure like if somebody does need something in large print, always offer that, >> but also have the QR code.
11:51>> We also have business cards, so that would be real helpful, too. You know, they can put that in their pocket. They don't put it out.
11:56>> Yeah, we do have that. I think just sometimes like for instance like this flyer that they're doing for open space.
12:01I mean these have been flying everywhere and it really is essential, you know, especially like with kids and stuff, you know, they put it in their backpack. We send a lot of information out via the school department and they just hit a button and it goes to all of the kids.
12:14You you told me about this. It goes into their backpack, but it ultimately goes to the parents. Um so it is nice to kind of have a flyer so that you can either email it or send it out or print it out.
12:25Yeah, I agree. I think having it there is fine. I I think sending it out in advance to residents of the town would be >> unnecessary.
12:34>> It'd be an unnecessary cost and I'd also be concerned that it's stepping on the toes of the organizers of the event.
12:39We're just attending it. We're not running it. So to send out >> No, no. I didn't mean it for that event.
12:43I just meant in general if we did decide to do anything some it's always good sometimes to have a flyer no matter what we're doing.
12:50>> What is the current status of a flyer right now?
12:54>> I'm sorry sir. What is the current status of a flyer right now?
12:57>> Oh, I don't have a coffee over here, but we we used it last year.
13:00>> Yeah, we used it last year.
13:01>> Just just basically mission statement really quickly. What we do and the phone number on it >> in terms of getting together a final version that we can have available to hand out to people. What more needs to be done?
13:14>> Oh, we're talking about two different things. The brochure and the flyer. The flyer is all done already because we used it last year.
13:18>> Okay. But then brochure. What more needs to be done for that so that we can have those available? Well, Lisa just mentioned it that we have to we have to kind of um streamline it and find out what what we exactly want in it. But that's what the subcommittee will do.
13:32You know what I'm saying? We had a lot of we had a lot of verbiage, a lot of words in there. I think it should be shortened.
13:38>> Okay.
13:38>> Yeah. And it's it's really not like like we have to rewrite the whole thing. I think just look at the main content. So instead of maybe six paragraphs, we might have four.
13:48>> Yeah. You know what I mean?
13:48>> It seems it seems like I haven't really seen the process on it.
13:53But it seems like a lot of it now is verbage and then the technical >> aspects response time and stuff like that.
14:01>> So >> like so this is actually the way it looks right now. I'll pass it around and and some of it this is actually the first rough draft. This is not the second one but this will be a reminder to everyone. I know that Mr. Burough had mentioned that there was some misspellings and I was just testing.
14:17>> Yeah, we're gonna we're going to just we're going to just polish it up a bit.
14:20That's all. But I think it was pretty good.
14:22>> Yeah. I I like the way it looks.
14:23>> We need to move on. So, we need >> Who's going to be on the subcommittee?
14:27>> Kayleie, is that all right with you?
14:28>> Yeah, that's fine. Yeah.
14:28>> One, two, three.
14:30>> Okay.
14:30>> Martin, >> and anybody else wants to come in last minute and it's available?
14:34>> Oh, you're certainly welcome to join.
14:35Yes.
14:36>> Yes, absolutely. Everyone's welcome.
14:38>> Okay.
14:38>> Can you just send me that electronically?
14:41>> The fly copy, the brochure copy.
14:44>> Yeah, you're going to get the second version that has the verbiage.
14:46>> Okay. Yeah.
14:47>> Okay.
14:48>> Brian, I don't think we we're on that number five there. Can we can we go through the the sign up for the night out? I know I'll be there.
14:55>> Yeah, that's the next thing on the agenda. So, um >> I'll be there too >> to sign up for the annual night out event. It's August 4.
15:06>> That's a Tuesday >> from 5 to 8:00 p.m.
15:10>> And just so everyone knows, we get there around 3:30ish to set up. I think 3:30, 4:00. They ask you to get there like an hour before to set up and get ready to go. And when we park our vehicles, we're pretty close to where we >> Does Does anybody know looking at it right now without having to >> go home and look at the calendar whether
15:30they they can help out that that night for either one, two, or three hour shift? I'm going to stay the whole three hours.
15:35>> I am too.
15:36>> So, we actually are all set.
15:39>> I mean, we could take the person >> wants to come.
15:40>> No, we don't want anybody else.
15:42>> Okay.
15:44I'd help if I have I haven't even It's really fun if you'd like to come. It is >> I I I took my niece and nephew last year. Um we actually at skill we are trying to get a table so >> I might [clears throat] be there anyway but yeah >> you might be at the skill table.
15:57>> I might be. I don't know if we got a table but if not I'll stop by. Never mind.
16:01>> And I have to admit Rick was wonderful with the kids and giving candy out when we did River Day. So we'd love to have you again.
16:07>> Okay.
16:08>> Come here little boy. Have a >> good day. I've got to play this carefully.
16:13>> We'd love to have you stop in with Mila.
16:16>> Yeah.
16:16>> So, who who's volunteering to appear?
16:19>> Well, why don't we uh it's going to be me and Lisa for sure.
16:21>> Okay.
16:22>> Okay. And why don't I write send out a little email to everybody and you can let me know. You guys can think about it.
16:26>> Dates, times, and >> so you can look at your calendars and everything and just say, "Oh, I can do it or I can't do it." >> I know I'm unable. I'm in Boston all day. So, >> yeah. Okay. So, he's unable. Does anybody know off the top of your head?
16:35>> I have a I don't know top of my head, but I'm going to try to be there.
16:38>> Yeah. Okay. But I I might be able to change them.
16:40>> Thank you.
16:41>> But I have to note for no.
16:43Okay. I'll send you a note.
16:45>> Yeah. If we get back and we get a table, I'll we can request that we together.
16:50>> Yeah. And the gentleman actually who places us, I can give him a shout and ask him if we could be next to each other. So then that way you can kind of banter between the two.
16:58>> Yeah, >> that'd be wonderful.
17:00>> Sounds good to me.
17:01>> Okay, all set.
17:02>> The next on the agenda is our treasurer's report. And coincidentally, Lisa, our treasurer, handed us >> Yes, I did.
17:10>> Thanks, Lisa, for that.
17:11>> You're very welcome. Very comprehensive.
17:13Go ahead. Tell us.
17:14>> Wonderful. Um, I've been meeting uh trying to uh not totally understand, but have a have a good uh embracing with um Nicole and uh Mrs. Landry, Joanne. Um and they've been coaching me along with regards to um our balance and the revolving account and all of that. Thank goodness they do all the hard work. So I only deliver the the end result. So if you look on the
17:39second page, it will actually show you um what our balance is. Uh and so the reporting total obviously uh the credit balance is the 13,000 uh 807.71 and then the debit balance um which is uh factual obviously is 11,045.75.
18:02I know that Martin had some questions with regards to the parking fines. So, I actually um added that to the report.
18:09So, now you can follow through and see like what's in the gift account and um you know and you can look at all of the the titles of the of the accounts and then look at the debit and then of course the credit balance as well. And all of these come up with the one lump sum on the second.
18:26>> Now the question I have is Nicole was saying that they didn't have the total.
18:30You still waiting for that?
18:31>> Correct.
18:31>> Wow. Yeah. So, a lot of times, >> so there is quite a bit of at least a year's worth of fines, money from the fines available >> will be coming in for 2027, which is our new fiscal year. They just they're closed. They're still closed. Well, I shouldn't say they're still closing, but they're still working out on the closing.
18:46>> The end of the fiscal year, correct? The end of >> So, I didn't really want to get involved in their process or hinder them in any way, but this just gives us a general sense. And then once those monies start to be deposited, then they'll give me a heads up. And if you check the shorelines when it comes out, if you get the hard copy, the police report
19:06this time of year will show you how many cars have been stopped. And often lately, they've been showing how many tickets have been handed out by the parking fine.
19:16>> Yes.
19:16>> Enforcement officer. So I suspect that after the summer's over, we will have a substantial amount of money coming in.
19:24Exactly. A question for you about your report.
19:28>> Yes, sir. The The credit balance is the money that we have on hand, right, that we could give out.
19:35>> Correct.
19:35>> And the debit balance, is that the money that we've already committed to giving out or is money that we've spent or what?
19:44>> That's general expenses.
19:45>> That's general expenses.
19:46>> So that include that ramp, for example.
19:48>> Yeah.
19:48>> Should be in the 5,300. And what would be the other one?
19:51>> Um, probably the $5,000 that we gave uh to the recreation department, for example.
19:56>> Correct.
19:58spent by the commission during the fiscal year during last fiscal year.
20:01>> That would be nice to to break that down if we can. Okay.
20:03>> And and to be honest with you, when I did get this report, I did ask that question. I said if the commission would so choose, they can actually print a separate report from us to show everything that we actually paid and took out by line item. So, if someone made a donation, we'll just say Lisa Costa or Martin Costa, it would say Martin Costa um gifted $200. And then we
20:26paid out $150 to um I don't know um Coffee with a Cop or something what whatever we we chose to donate to. um so I can get an additional report for next month and that would actually show the individual entries if you find that helpful that they'd be more than happy to um press a button and give >> that would be helpful because if you look at gifts and donations 32522 I know
20:52that that is the lead supermarket receipts >> correct >> for example but if somebody gave a donation >> correct >> it was 400 we wouldn't know it so it' be nice if we could >> and it would be nice maybe from the commission and I don't know how the commission feels about this but if we do
21:04get a personal donation maybe we could send a thank you card on behalf to that family >> because what I'm finding now and I think what we talked about last time is is that we would welcome a gift or donation in memory of someone um because there are a lot of people that um hold the commission near and dear if they've made an imprint on that family member's life
21:25and um I know I've been asked the question if they did want to give a gift or donation on behalf of that loved one it would be nice for the commission maybe to send a thank you card to that family.
21:35>> Sure.
21:37So I will ask for that report if everyone agrees. Yes.
21:39>> Yeah. I do believe that's likely something we should do once annually probably at the end of the fiscal year is just get that full listing and then we can >> oh with the line items >> we can make sure that it all lines up and it also >> typically is a good starting point as we talk about uh you know Brian each time
21:54it comes up what are we looking at doing in the next year as a commission. There may be some revolving spending in there that we can earmark and say that we spent this last year. Yes, we want to continue doing that this year >> and come the fall, we'll be addressing the issue of what further donations we want to make once we find out how much money has come in from parking.
22:15>> And then the other thing I think that we spoke about in general is um maybe applying for some grant money. Uh, and I think that that would be helpful because now we're going to have projects that we could partner with other people in town and there is ADA uh grant money that we could apply as as a mission and we would be able to partner with either the beach
22:35>> and one of the things we've talked about in the past is >> who on our commission has grant writing experience. Well, the nice thing is is that there is an agency that sits in Boston and I've been in touch with them and they will walk us through, you know, what is required. And then I also reached out to um um Gary, I think his name is Gary. He has
22:59uh some grant writing experience and he I think he's on FinCom. Is that is that Gary's on fin?
23:06>> I don't know him.
23:06>> Carrero.
23:08>> Oh, Gary Carrero. Of course. Yeah. I I reached out to Gary a while back um and he said that he would be happy to to guide me. And then the other thing too is is there are classes and I discussed this with Martin.
23:20>> Um there are classes that uh we can take for the training.
23:24>> The templates are pretty are pretty self-explanatory, but what I find is is that they do have the elite people that are in the Boston office that are more than welcome to kind of hold our hand and go through it. The templates are pretty much already set up. we have to plug in the information and then it basically produces the um application for us and then we're we see if we get
23:45them we see if we get it. The most important thing is they look for projects uh and if we have a project in mind whether we partner with the highway department or we partner with recreation department or we have our own personal uh uh project that we would like to do on behalf of the commission. It doesn't limit it doesn't limit us. um depending on the project and like I said the
24:09protocol is already in place.
24:11>> Okay. Um >> thank you.
24:15>> Next item on our agenda is to invite an MOD representative to >> do a presentation.
24:25>> Yeah. Legal obligations.
24:28>> Correct.
24:29>> And and service dogs.
24:31>> Right. So, I reached out to the AG's office and the nice thing is is that um they were excited about being asked to come and do a presentation. What they like to do is is that they like to have um a Commonwealth presentation, if you will, not necessarily just Westport. So, I was really um thankful to go with Martin to the New Bedford uh Commission on Disability. what they encouraged us
24:58to do is if we could invite the other >> commissions and then have them come together as a group um then it would be I think more beneficial when they're sending someone from Boston to come down and address it >> that they're all getting the same information um and you know they have someone from the legal department that comes it doesn't go through mod training
25:21per se it's more from the legal department and and how they deal with um issues that come up throughout the Commonwealth. So, they'd be more than happy to uh do something if we wanted to plan something uh uh countywide or >> Dick, you you said you had the chance to see that Zoom or that webinar on uh service animals. Do you remember what I'm talking about? Y
25:44>> I happened to look at that just recently because now they they posted it. That was pretty informative.
25:48>> It was.
25:49>> I'm wondering if that would be enough.
25:50Do we really need to have somebody come down and do a presentation? I I could we could pass out to everybody to watch that uh webinar. This is a webinar from the Northeast ADA uh conference and they they talked about >> everything to do with uh service animals and emotion >> support dogs.
26:08>> Support dog is not a service dog, >> right?
26:10>> I think I think what >> that was part of the CAM training. I don't know if you remember that.
26:14>> It was. Yes.
26:14>> Yeah. Yeah. A long time ago.
26:15>> I think what happens is and and Martin and I have have dealt with this with people that come up to us and bring us a situation, right? everyone's interpretation of the legal like what is legal and what is not. I think that kind of gets lost. The training is very good.
26:32You're absolutely right. But it's a very broad training >> when it comes to the legal, you know, what you can and cannot do. Sometimes it's good to have someone that represents the legal entity of it >> to kind of like say to the business owner, you know, we're not going to we're not looking to slap your hand.
26:49we're here to share like what is legal and what is not legal. And I think sometimes when you have that >> um that knowledge >> because you don't know what you don't know, right? And when you have that legal perspective, then I think it just helps them better understand that you just can't dismiss a a a trained service dog from a public business. And I think
27:14that's where some people get upset because they know that legally that they're entitled to have that animal that is specially trained for your disability and they have a legal stance behind it as opposed to what the interpretation.
27:30>> If we're going to do a presentation, instead of just having area commissions on disabilities, why don't we open it up to all businesses?
27:35>> Well, I agree.
27:36>> Any business that might want to come >> 100%. But what I'm saying is is that in order to do that, they would like to see us invite neighboring >> Sure.
27:45>> you know, neighboring commissions so that New Bedford could come, Dmouth can come, Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, and then any businesses like you said that are open to the public that need to follow the regulations are welcome to hear it firsthand as well. So, it kind of be like a dual training for us, but also taking public questions, you know, with with a particular public business.
28:09Well, may I ask a question? Mr.
28:11[clears throat] Chair, I think we're confused as to what we want to accomplish here. There's a big difference between what we're talking about. We're just focusing on our group to get some legal advice or some information on on legal issues relating to obligations and particularly as relies on service dogs. That's one thing. Now you're talking about a much
28:34bigger thing and you've got a number of considerations that are that are obvious. Is how many people we going to be targeting? How many we're going to get? Is this room going to be big enough? I mean all those other questions. So I I think this one shouldn't be decided on the fly. If you're serious about this, then we got to think it through what all the parts
28:55are. When are we going to do it? What's the audience? How are we going to contact the people? You know the all the things that go in with all of you have done this a hundred times. Setting a meeting up with multiple parties. It's different than just those chickens.
29:08Right.
29:09>> Right. And and Mr. Brewer is right.
29:12Where where are we going to do it? Be at the high school.
29:15>> I agree. 100% >> you could do a registration thing. Those you know who want to come would register. Absolutely. Of course that takes some work. I understand that. But I'm saying at least you have a number of how many people are coming. And it's it's funny because I remember when Martin and I went to the New Bedford Commission on Disability, they were
29:28faced with the same issues.
29:30>> Mhm.
29:31>> And people are ignoring, you know, the the the law or the AD a requirement when it comes to a restaurant in their particular area. So, we're all dealing with the same things. And I agree with Mr. Brewer. I think I think what I would like to see, you know, is is like getting all of the facts together.
29:52Like in other words, if we were to do this, you know, what would it take and you know, how are you going to plan it?
29:58>> Why don't we do it in two steps? Why don't we just have a commission on disability meeting, you know, the area condition and then so we can learn our particular parts of it and then if we want to open it up to a second meeting at some further date to the uh businesses in the area, we could do that.
30:13>> Has there been an issue? Is that why this is coming up?
30:16>> A couple of issues. Yeah, there's a lot of issues. Yeah. Oh, okay. There's been several issues with regards to it. I I guess my my question is what we're trying to what we're trying to get out of it because it seems like there's there's a few different things.
30:30If we're inviting the public, then it seems educational. I have a hard time believing a a business wants to come learn why they're wrong about service dogs. So, the audience that we're trying to reach would likely not attend. If we're trying to educate commissions on disability both here and in our surrounding communities about the tools and resources available to help
30:54them engage with the business community and and make sure that we've uh we're meeting the the needs of people with with service animals, then I think to to Mr. Brewer's point, it it requires some careful scoping.
31:11>> Oh, absolutely. what we're actually trying to get for an outcome and then that dictates what >> what the involvement with mod needs to be. I think if you remember either the a couple of meetings ago, I think we had discussed you know that when we if in fact and we we have gotten a few concerns and in a complaint form but not an official complaint that we talked
31:33about sending a letter out and I I think that's one of the reasons why we discussed if we were to send a letter to the business not not aggressively just kind of like informing them that we've been notified by a particular patron or whatever happened that we really want to do it um as far as an educational type of type of thing. And I think Martin was the one who had suggested having like a
31:5630-day turnaround time once we send that letter out and see if they actually do respond. And then if the business does respond, then we can go out and and based on the training that we all get, you know, share the information with them because like you said, you don't know what you don't know. Um and and I think where um where there is confusion um because I don't think we
32:24actually have been out into the community, not necessarily Westport, but I think the commissioners in general where wherever city or town that they represent, they're all faced with that same thing. As a matter of fact, when Martin and I went, they were like, "What do you guys do?" And we were just approaching what what we had been uh what had come to the table with us. So,
32:43we basically talked about the same uh how do we approach it? So, >> well, to answer to answer Dick's question, I think we need the training.
32:54In other words, we want to be able to talk to a business owner and say you have to follow these particular rules and it's just very confusing right now.
33:02Um, I kind of feel like we could probably learn that from the Zoom webinar training, but it's good to have somebody here as well. But that would be the first thing I would like to learn for myself so I could go talk to this business.
33:13>> Yeah. And I mean honestly I think I would assume if we have questions we can just reach out to mod directly and kind of try to get an idea of what their criteria would generally be or if they have advice on how to go about that.
33:27>> Well if that's the case then we should might as well bring them here.
33:29>> So the mod when I reached out to the mod they don't actually come out on site.
33:34they will allow they would recommend that you take the class digitally and then when it comes to enforcement or when it comes to addressing a particular situation you have to contact MCAD MCAD they're the enforcing department but if we were looking to have someone from the legal department it comes from the AG's office and they help you interpret the um the law you know itself in
33:58conjunction with what we follow uh based on ADA compliance If I may and uh Mr.
34:06Chair, this may be the larger discussion that we need to of kind of zoom out on.
34:11You know, we're not we're not an enforcement commission and I I think we need to be thoughtful about how we're going into the community. Um, if we're if we're informative and helpful and and cultivating positive relationships that provide people with access to the resources that help them make better decisions for their business. To me, that feels
34:40aligned with with the role of the commission. Um, if if there is an enforcement action, do we want to be involved in that? Well, we are a part of the enforcement action, believe it or not, because I know when I went through my process, what happens is with the AG's office and with EMCAD, MCAD doesn't actually um represent an individual. They go after the city or town where where the incident occurred.
35:09That's their responsibility. But as a commission if someone is um discriminated against or someone has uh accessibility concerns the first stepping stone is to come to the commission on disability and then we follow the process and we fill out the application and we guide that particular individual which is what I had to do on my own. So >> we are a stepping stone for enforcement.
35:33Um, if if a person wants to take it a step further on a personal level, that's when they hire like an individual attorney if they were going to fight something legal.
35:42>> Right. The point is that somebody made a um complaint to me by email about the dog situation.
35:48>> Yep.
35:48>> At that particular business, so we haven't addressed it yet. So my question is, you know, I'd like to get more training on it. So before we address that, >> and the thought was the thought was, and I talked to MOD about that, too. I talked to Jeff um >> the executive director. Yeah, about would it be all right to send them a
36:05letter for example and say listen you need to do this that or what it and then see how it goes from there. for the letter would be the first thing instead of stopping in person. I just feel like if they go in person, it does look like you're the >> disability police, so to speak, you know, but I think because it's been a complaint now, we have to respond.
36:19>> Would the town administrator be responsible for that though and not the commission because he's the ADA court?
36:25>> So, I think Chris would probably be the one if there is an issue that needs addressing with that business. I I feel like it'd be more appropriate for Chris as the ADA coordinator to go out and just that's a town administ if I'm wrong let me know.
36:41>> I think you're right and I think the select board would agree with you.
36:44>> There is a protocol which I'll be >> to your point that makes sense.
36:47>> Orton and I had a meeting just before this meeting with uh our town administrator and I think you're right.
36:54you know, if we are made aware of something, then we can bring it to him.
37:01>> Mhm.
37:02>> And then if there's further issue, then he takes it to the select board for them to make a decision on. But yeah, we are advisory committee directly and yeah, we can we can try to help people, but we can also try to tell them they really need to speak to Mr. towel and and then see if it goes further from there.
37:28>> Yeah. May maybe the step is to take that if everybody if we could get the link to that Zoom training, why don't we all watch it first and see what we get out of it cuz I have not seen it. I took that CAM training in 2016 and it was talked about that it's a dog or a mini horse is the only thing that is qualified as a service animal. So, um I
37:48think from there we take the training if it's a matter of educating the public and the community and I mean like not just businesses, the community as a whole because a lot of people that have dogs think that their dog is oh this is my emotional support dog thinking that that's a service dog and that is not the case. So, it might be a case where, you know, I don't know this particular
38:11situation, but it might be a case of is this dog an actual service dog or is this dog an emotional support dog where in that point the business owner would be correct by not allowing the dog in there right?
38:23>> Um, so it it really depends. I think it's more of educating everybody once we have watched the video. If we need further clarification, then maybe we take the step and invite the commission on disability in Fall River, New Bedford, all the local communities to come in and do that legal training to see what you know our steps would be.
38:42>> Martin, do you have that?
38:43>> I do have it. I'll be glad to send it out.
38:45>> Send it to everybody.
38:46>> Yep. I already made it.
38:47>> And there is a certification program like when we do the MOD training that you can be certified in that particular area. And what I will do is I'll get the protocol for all complaints that come before any commission whether it's city or town of what the commission follows step by step on different situations.
39:05>> Okay?
39:06>> Because there is a protocol for every single complaint.
39:08>> Well, we know for a fact that Chris as the ADA coordinator is the is the go-to person when there's a complaint.
39:14>> That's his job. He's got a he's got a form and a policy that he's supposed to follow through.
39:20>> So, >> correct. Mhm.
39:22>> Um I'm just bringing it to your attention in my situation that it started here and then then you have to follow a certain protocol.
39:31>> Yeah, it started here but then we suggested you went to to Chris because we couldn't be there.
39:36>> It started here and then it goes to the AG's office and then the AG's office gives you the protocol and then they initiate the complaint and then they contact um Chris. Okay.
39:51Okay.
39:53Um, next thing on the agenda is we missed it for this year, but we should talk about for next year the the town fair that we want to set up a table there for our commission. And so when the many people go to the fair and they can meet us and find out what we do, uh it's always a good thing for people in town to know about us and any way that we can
40:24get our information out because who knows how many people are actually watching this program.
40:31>> Half the town.
40:32>> Yeah.
40:35So, this is the agricultural fair we're talking about, not the harvest festival.
40:39>> Westport fair.
40:40>> Yeah, the agricultural fair.
40:41>> Yeah, >> the agg which the one that just passed agriculture >> agricultural fair.
40:48So, that in my opinion, that's a long those are long days.
40:52>> That's what I'm saying. That's too much.
40:53>> That's like four days.
40:55>> That's too much for the the amount of people we have. It's It's a lot that those are long days. You're not getting Westport residents only. You're getting >> Yeah. There's a lot of people from Fall River, New Bedford, all over that are coming.
41:08>> The parking is a problem.
41:09>> Yeah. I maybe maybe just working with the fair committee on making sure that the grounds are >> accessible. Maybe that that's how we could like our role could be that way.
41:21Making sure that there's >> uh bleacher seating for people.
41:27>> I went this year and and yeah, I can definitely agree with you on that.
41:31making sure that the grounds are, you know, accessible for everybody to get around in.
41:37>> Yeah. As long as they're like hard and compact and, you know, that there's um ADA compliant uh Porter John's and and picnic tables. Um you know, wheelchair accessible picnic tables would be great.
41:50Maybe >> talking to the the fair committee and say, "Hey, how can the commission be involved?" >> You had some questions with regards to that the porter johns and stuff. You didn't feel that they were >> No, >> I guess in general. No, not with the fair, but I think in general is there um ADA accessible porter Jones?
42:08>> Oh, there are, but I don't know if that I don't know if they have them available with >> Sure.
42:13>> Um from what I hearing, it might be better to just contact the fair committee in advance rather than setting up a table with us sitting there.
42:22>> Yeah, correct.
42:24>> That's like a five day, isn't it? It's Wednesday through Sunday.
42:26>> Wednesday through Sunday. And it's like 10 to 10 on the weekend and >> a lot of people have Monday and Wednesday.
42:35>> Has anybody sitting there?
42:37>> Yeah. It's a man is >> cool. It is fun.
42:42>> Yeah.
42:43>> Really?
42:43>> Yeah.
42:43>> My wife goes every year. She's very excited about it.
42:47>> Yeah.
42:48>> Yeah. The tractor pulls are also >> great. The are home.
42:53>> Yeah, that's true. You're right down the road.
42:54>> We're right down the road. It's terrible for us to try to get home, but >> I walked there was 1.9 miles to get down and back.
43:02>> It took me one.5 >> on my GPS and it took me 25 minutes 25 minutes to move five trying to get >> Oh yeah.
43:13>> Yeah. I was like, "Oh my god, >> I walked that entire distance in that amount of time." >> I'm glad they have fun because I know that it's a big deal. So >> So >> yeah, it's awesome. I'd like to suggest that you know we go to we've done ribb day we're going to do the night out and
43:27then I would suggest the harvest festival >> in September >> because that's >> is that the wine fest?
43:34>> No, it's it's they call it the south coast harvest festival and I've been to it. [clears throat] There is a charge, you know. I think it's 10 bucks to get in or something like that. But um I just think it'd be a better It's not as long as for the Friday, Saturday, Sunday, but I'm not sure if you have to go all three
43:50days or not. I just wrote to them. I'll find out.
43:52>> That might be another one, too, where you can just talk to them and make sure that everything is accessible and maybe see if there's a um like a booth or something that we can put flyers at and rather than manning it. It's a It's a lot.
44:07>> Well, as long as we could do like one day, if they said, "Oh, you can come on a Saturday." >> Yeah.
44:11>> I wouldn't mind doing that. You know what I'm saying? But to do Friday, Saturday Sunday.
44:14>> Yeah. It's a lot. It's a lot. Yeah.
44:15>> Where is that?
44:16>> In the same same location at the fairgrounds.
44:18>> At the fairgrounds. Yep. I'm assuming it would be the same committee that we reach out to also.
44:24>> I think it's a different organization.
44:26>> Brian and Shelley Pay.
44:28>> Yeah. Okay.
44:29>> But the fairgrounds are owned by the same group.
44:33>> Yes.
44:33>> West is true.
44:35>> Yeah. So that may be a good starting point. Yes. Then they could they could pass their requirements down into their lease if they lease out their grounds for a good idea.
44:44>> Very good point. Yeah.
44:47>> Yeah. because they do they pay them to use the and I think they have to get if I'm not mistaken Mr. Bor that you have to get a ride or two based on the insurance for a day or or how many days you do it.
44:58>> I really don't know about insurance.
45:01>> So that's I know we used it for parking for an event that the COA had and we had to get a rider umbrella for one day.
45:10>> Well, that's not our issue here.
45:12>> No, no, no. I'm just saying in general because they do rent it out to people like Kaylee said that it would be nice to get ADA compliant with that um through that process that Rick just mentioned.
45:26>> Well, how should we approach this then?
45:27Shall we call somebody there on the on the committee and >> Well, did you say you knew Tiffany and and her husband?
45:35>> No.
45:35>> Oh, Brian and Shel. That's for the South Coast. That's the South Coast Harvest Festival, but they're the one they don't run the fair the Westport fair >> fairgrounds. Fairgrounds. It's the Potters.
45:47>> It's the Potters. Yeah.
45:48>> Yeah.
45:48>> And I think it's under a trust if I'm not mistaken.
45:51>> Well, the Potters do the agricultural fair right?
45:54>> Yes. Yeah, that's >> We're talking about the harvest festival, right? Or are you talking about talking for both of those festivals to make sure they're accessible? Don't they rent it from the potters or don't they have an agreement with with that organization?
46:08>> I don't know. I've never gotten into that. I know the potters run the agricultural fair in the summer.
46:14>> Okay. They're not involved.
46:15>> So, it's the actual fair but not the the grounds themselves.
46:18>> Oh, no. They they don't own I guess they rent it.
46:20>> Okay.
46:21>> I don't I think the Westport Fair >> company Incorporated owns a nonprofit fair. Yeah, they're nonprofit. They own the fairgrounds. So, they're the ones that are putting on the Westport Fair, right?
46:32>> The South Coast Harvest Festival is two individuals that own their own business that rent from the fairgrounds.
46:40>> Okay, that makes more sense. I I get it now.
46:42>> Chocolate thing. They do they lease the grounds out to other >> groups.
46:48>> Groups. So, if um what was that they talked about if the meeting is open if the event is open to the public, then they do have to be ADA. But if it's privately run and privately held, they don't necessarily have to >> I think they're all open to the public though. I think any type of event they >> It depends who's putting it on is from
47:08what I remember in a meeting I attended.
47:10So if it's like a private individual putting on an event, the >> they should follow ADA guidelines, >> but it doesn't it's not open to the public, >> right? It's not open to the public. It's not the town putting it on. So if the town is putting it on, the ADA requirements are definitely different.
47:27Right. And if it's open if it's a private group putting it on, but if it's open to the public, then they too have to follow.
47:35>> Right. Yeah. So, it's it's a little strange how things are done, but that was a one of those mod >> meetings they had talked about depending on who's putting it on.
47:46>> And when is the harvest festival?
47:48>> September 25th through the 27th.
47:51>> Thank you.
47:52>> I don't know.
47:54>> Yeah.
47:55>> Oh my goodness. I just wrote to them today to ask them, >> okay, >> if we can just do one day or do we have to do all three days?
48:00>> I think what just just a final thought on on those engagement efforts, it goes back to what we were just saying about before with the uh enforcement versus advisory.
48:14If I'm if I flip around and I'm on the other side of that conversation, my initial reaction to to would you like to hear about how much you're required to comply with for next year's event would not be as welcome.
48:29>> Uh versus >> yeah, I can see >> we're here to help. We're part of the town. Here's some things that we've done in other parts of town.
48:37>> How can we help you?
48:38>> How can we help? There's there's things available. We want to just make sure that it's as you know, we continue on with another, you know, several decades worth of events. So, I [clears throat] just, you know, no matter who it is on our commission going out, I I that that >> you're saying the approaches
48:51>> that helpful approach versus the, you know, >> you know, the we we should be the helpful agents within the town helping them navigate what's a very complicated and confusing >> uh piece versus uh >> if if only we had a private business owner on our commission who could help us with Hey, wait a minute.
49:13>> >> Who's that?
49:15>> Yeah.
49:16>> Who's that?
49:17>> Yeah.
49:18>> Okay.
49:19>> I don't have a piece of >> sitting next to you.
49:21>> Oh, >> so the it says the executive leadership and primary contacts of the Westport Fair Incorporated. The president is Ronald Potter. These are the contact people. Vice President is Anton Olivera.
49:35Secretary Diane Potter. That's who I spoke to. And treasurer is Sharon Potter. And we have the mailing address.
49:41And we have all of the general information information and there is a phone number that you can contact.
49:47>> Yeah. So those are the people who >> who actually owns it is called the West Incorporated.
49:54>> Especially with it being such like two major events in our town. It is incredibly important that we maintain that, you know, >> peace and openness with each other.
50:04>> And I think you're right, too. I think it's the way you present it. you know, we want to present it like in a a very easy like >> we're here to help, not here to >> attack, right? And I think we had and to be honest with you, Rick, I think we discussed that when we even discussed sending out a letter that it has to be just so easy and you know,
50:23give us a call and we'd be more than happy to meet with you rather than, you know, >> Yeah.
50:30So for us, it wouldn't would it be like advise or would it be like how can we like get our hands in to like help you guys? Does that make sense? Like >> you know how we sometimes do donations like would that be the type of thing where we end up donating like assistance putting in a parking spot or something like that? They actually have like quite a bit of parking like I was just using
50:54that as basic but I don't know about accessible picnic tables. So maybe we could say hey we have a little bit of money maybe we could donate an accessible picnic table >> or even a portion of it or whatever.
51:06>> Yeah to the fairgrounds or something.
51:08>> Speaking of accessible picnic table >> look at me that's on you now. Now you know what I've been through. I was down there and there was no accessible picnic table. Yeah.
51:18>> It's on order.
51:19>> It's on order. It's on order. It's been on order for three years.
51:22>> Is that >> the beach? Yeah. The >> beaches for us.
51:27>> Yeah.
51:27>> Yeah.
51:28>> I stepped in.
51:29>> Yeah.
51:29>> But there's nothing.
51:30>> And they do make a difference. Speaking of wheelchair >> you can't get you cannot get a wheelchair in the cement tables that are there now.
51:36>> No.
51:36>> No.
51:37>> So I don't know when.
51:38>> Did you see the piling that's in the middle too?
51:40>> The piling?
51:41>> Well, it's like a cement walk.
51:43>> No.
51:45Oh. Oh, you mean in the middle of the picnic table? Well, >> or in the middle of of the mobile map.
51:49>> Yeah. When you're trying to get down to Baby Beach, there's like a [clears throat] big cement block there where it blocks your >> Oh, I don't see it. No, I don't see it.
52:02>> Uh, okay. Brian, >> speaking of the mobility mats, has anybody been to uh Beach Avenue or >> Yes.
52:10>> Yes, I went to all of them. And are the mats down?
52:15Because Ross is very very good about making sure that >> Ross did a real nice job in the new opening which is about halfway down. I'm talking about Beach Avenue now.
52:22>> Town Beach.
52:23>> Uh where the town beach is there. He took the two mats that we had purchased which are 50 ft long and he made a tea out of them which I think is fantastic because that way if you put a wheelchair on it, you know what I'm saying? You get some place to stay.
52:34>> On the far end the movie [clears throat] mats just go out and then they stop right before the beach so you can just kind of park. Although when I was there, two folks uh parked in the handicap.
52:44They had a handicapped uh placard and they were not wheelchairs or anything, but she had a mobility problem and they were using the the mobile mats. So, >> and speaking of placards, Martin sent me a email and with a a link to the fact that placards can take it several weeks for you to get a new one. months.
53:05>> So, if anybody wants to or is needs to have their placard replaced or they want to get a placard or they want to get license plates, >> contact the registry early. It takes a while.
53:19>> It takes a while.
53:20>> They're going to change until I understand, right? Change the card.
53:23>> So, there's going to be a new plaque card out that doesn't expire. And the nice thing is is that I'm putting it to the test because I just actually put in my renewal.
53:31>> Um, but I won't have to renew it anymore.
53:34It expires in November. Nice.
53:36>> So, when I got the email from you saying it takes up to some some places up to six months, >> when I went to my neurology department, I didn't know that this was available, but when the doctor signs it, they will mail it out for you. And the DMV picks up the application processes daily at medical physicians offices and process them different. I I I don't want
54:03to say faster.
54:05>> They prioritize >> but they pri they they prioritize them faster because it's coming from a medical doctor and they see like South Coast Hospitals group on it.
54:13>> So I just dropped mine off uh I think it was last Tuesday. Um, and I'm going to see if if it actually is if it's quicker or not.
54:24>> And we'll know firsthand because I just put mine in for renewal. But moving forward to 2027, from what I understand, it's going to be one that doesn't expire anymore.
54:34>> And will it continue to have your smiling face on your placard?
54:37>> I think they use the same one >> to be honest with you, in age, right?
54:42>> Yeah. It doesn't really matter. I think they just use the same picture. But I found that very interesting, Martin. And I'm sure that people get a little disappointed when, you know, especially if they have breathing issues and they're looking for that plaque hard and they have to walk a long way. So, thank you for that.
54:57>> So, to answer your question, yes, the mobile mats are down and they look they look fine.
55:01>> And the parking was great, too. Um, >> at the end of the of Beach Avenue still the geo geog grids are holding up very well.
55:08>> Yes.
55:08>> On Beach Avenue where there's that part halfway down for the beach access. Do the mats extend all the way down to the road?
55:17maybe six inches away, 10 inches away.
55:21>> And there's there is there an incline to get >> there is an incline. There is an incline, but I don't think it's insurmountable, >> but there is an incline.
55:30>> Well, for someone in a wheelchair, >> right?
55:33>> Alone, you mean?
55:34>> Almost any incline is insurmountable.
55:35>> Yeah. Yeah.
55:36>> I don't think there's much you can do about that because >> Right.
55:39>> Yeah.
55:40>> We can't dig it level. You know what I mean? But um it's not it's not like going up a dune. You know what I'm saying?
55:45>> Yeah. Okay.
55:45>> But there is a bit of an incline. Yep.
55:48>> The only thing I There is no parking there, right? You know that at that new entry, >> you have to park at the very end.
55:55>> And does it make sense?
55:57>> Well, that's part of the beach plan is that they want to move, >> right?
56:01>> Put new parking spaces halfway down the road.
56:03>> Yeah. They were going to add two like on the side.
56:06>> Isn't that Yes. Right.
56:07>> They were going to add two on the side.
56:09>> Right. Now they're inundo.
56:10>> Yeah. Halfway down, which is really diagonally across the street from the opening.
56:14>> Yep.
56:15>> Right.
56:16Yeah, that would be helpful.
56:17>> Yeah, I did take pictures for everyone, too. So, um, if anybody's interested in seeing where they all are, uh, we did that last year, too.
56:26>> Pictures for everybody again.
56:29>> There any other new business or continuing business that we need to talk about? Lisa, you you did you mention?
56:36>> Yeah, I would like to um bring a couple of things to your attention. The public meeting for open space and recreation plan is actually in on this flyer here.
56:46Um I at the request of the commission and and our chairman was asked to sit on open space uh to represent ADA. Um they're actually working on the SERD.
56:57It's similar to like a transition plan.
56:59Isn't that safe to say, Mr. Brewer?
57:02>> Well, it's I don't know if it's a transition plan. It's an existing document that has to be updated.
57:06>> Updated. Yeah. So this is no there's no transition. It's this is the plan, right? It will be the plan, >> but it's similar to what we do for our like when we did our transition plan, right? To have all of the different topics included in the >> Yeah, there are a lot of as respects disability, they have a lot in common.
57:25>> Correct. And so with that um being said, I was asked to research uh a lot of the information with regards to um to the document that they are preparing. Um, and they actually have a a a town meeting, if you will, and it's actually going to, that's what they call it, the town meeting or public meeting, if you will, on July 29th. And it talks about recreation, like Dana will be there to
57:51talk about the recreation part of the plan. I will be there to talk about the ADA. Um, and then of course, you know, anyone else who chooses, we have, uh, the beach commission, uh, uh, Sean Leech who who represents the beach, the beaches. And so we all kind of have a little part, um, helping Serpent get all the necessary information to get their document together so that it can uh,
58:16then go through its proper channel uh, to be executed because they actually need that particular doc document to fulfill their requirement. Um, and it's been a privilege. I learned a lot. Um, from what I understand, once the document is completed, then uh, I guess we're free to go. Uh, which is Yeah. And we've been working on it for I'm going
58:37to say I think it's like six or eight months now.
58:40>> Yeah.
58:40>> Six or eight months. So maybe close to a year once it's done. Um, and I will send you uh the uh document that uh once it's finalized, which I'm sure it will come through within the next day or so. I'll send everyone an email as to what what their flip chart looks like and all of that kind of thing. Um they they are going to look for uh feedback from the
59:02town uh and the people that are actually going to come to the event. They felt that doing an ice cream social would encourage parents that don't necessarily have a babysitter that would um increase the participation um which I thought was a great idea from from Ross and and the committee and we're looking forward to meeting people to answer questions about that.
59:22>> No, we hope we have some audiences. The last one we had, we only had five people from >> the community and two of them came because I called him before the phone.
59:31>> That's a lot of ice cream to eat.
59:33>> Yeah.
59:35We hope we get the crowd.
59:36>> Yeah. So, we're we're really excited about that. So, um in addition to that, um just I put together a couple of uh documents for the um the surf therapy camp. I'm not sure if everyone knows what gnome do I think they say it gnome even though >> yeah it's gnome >> gnome um I received an email via our chairman um to see if we could uh weigh
1:00:02in a little bit about uh with regards to them building a a camp and an educational facility um and I put together two documents. One is the ADA accessibility recommendations because they were looking for they know they have to be ADA accessible but they were looking for a little bit more detail. So I did two documents for them. I did ADA accessible recommendations um and then I also did a secondary one.
1:00:29Each of them I believe are four pages and they're basically going to take whatever is necessary um and kind of adapt them into their uh the planning board's verbiage and questions that they need to ask. Um they were very helpful.
1:00:45They found that the information was very helpful. They applauded Brian because um every time that they do reach out to Brian, Brian has always been very supportive in answering all their questions um with regards to ADA compliance and they were extremely grateful for the information that I shared with them um you know as far as like the training that Martin and I went to. So we got a wealth of information
1:01:09and Martin and I have been to several trainings together. So, I opted to look all of that up uh and give them something that they can kind of like sink their teeth into and and cultivate it as they see fit. Um, a lot of things they weren't aware of. Um, and there's certain there's three different agencies and you'll look at the uh last page and those are the compliance agencies that
1:01:32they need to follow when they're building a new build. Um, and I'm really excited about seeing them coming to Westport. I think they're in Little Compton now. Yeah, they're right next to the barn. What used to be the barn.
1:01:42>> Oh, is that right? Yeah.
1:01:44>> And I was really excited to see them come. I know that when I went to um Horseneck Beach to look at uh the Moby Mats and uh they gave me a little tour of their um of their wheelchair uh accessibility to take someone down to the water. Um they happen to have been having an event in and around there. So, I got I was curious as to know what they
1:02:08were all about and to see how excited uh the participants and the children and the young adults were. Um, and I just thought that that would be a great addition to Westport moving forward. So, I really hope they do get what they need to to facilitate their project. Yeah, it's a wonderful program to help um particularly young people with disabilities to help them actually get
1:02:31out onto the water and get them onto board so that they can experience what it's like in >> out there.
1:02:38>> Absolutely. And they just received I think they have six of those wheelchair flotation kind of thing that gets you to the water. Um, I know one was damaged and they just had the sixth one delivered and no lines, no waiting. I mean, anybody can call Horsesake Beach and and have it. And the lifeguards showed me where they store them and it's readily available for uh Westport
1:03:01residents and Massachusetts residents alike.
1:03:04>> Do we have any of those beach wheelchairs?
1:03:07>> You ask.
1:03:08>> This is a nice >> Yeah, we have one, but it's it's it's a mess. Yeah, >> but they beach will let us use it if we give them advanced notice. One of their six >> and somebody came to us and said, "Can we get one?" We say, "Well, we'll get it for you."
1:03:25>> Town doesn't have it. States >> have one. We don't anymore.
1:03:29>> Correct. We borrow.
1:03:30>> We don't know where to we don't know where to store it and then we don't know how to get it down to the beach if we need to.
1:03:34>> And we've looked into the question of do we want to repair the one we have or do we want to buy a new one or do we just want to look to the folks at Horseneck?
1:03:43And ultimately I think we decided let's just refer people to Horseneck because they have a good program and they have a number of chairs available >> because as Martin said it it's you got to have an endeavor to go try to find our chair and then you know bring it up out of the basement someplace.
1:04:04>> Get it to the beach.
1:04:06>> Yeah. That's a big >> So, >> so it's much easier to just refer people down to a horse neck.
1:04:15>> Y makes sense.
1:04:16>> And I have I have actually you used Well, I didn't use it. I sat in one while my beautiful daughter pushed me through one and it's not an easy thing to do.
1:04:26>> No.
1:04:26>> Because I have the big balloon tires.
1:04:28>> Yeah.
1:04:28>> But, you know, then it gets on the sand and the sand is got a lot of resistance to it, >> right? So, you need a strong person pushing it.
1:04:37>> You're ever going to try to use them.
1:04:38But they are a great thing to do to get somebody from the pavement down to the water.
1:04:45>> Mhm. Yeah.
1:04:47>> That's why we laughed. It was a educational experience a couple years ago, I think, to figure out everything we could about the the beach wheelchairs. Yeah. So, a question about this, Lisa. Is this uh are these accessibility recommendations specific to this camp or is it just general?
1:05:06>> No. When you're talking about a camp and having overnights and different things like that, there are there are certain accessibility requirements that they will need to follow. So, that's why I I called up to Boston to go a little bit deeper.
1:05:20>> Um because I don't actually know what they need. And to be honest with you, the planning board was so receptive.
1:05:26They were like, "Oh my goodness, Lisa, can we use this for other things?" Yes, the baseline you can, but when you start to get into overnights, they want to know like now how many vehicles are there overnight? And then, you know, do you have an evacuation plan? And they were like, "Oh my god, I didn't even think about that." Like, do they have
1:05:42the staff if you have an overnight now?
1:05:44Do you have an evacuation plan for those particular people or the children or young adults that are spending an overnight there? So, there are different things. Um, and I'm sure the other agencies um, uh, will will direct them accordingly. Martin and I had so many questions and we were given uh, direction that don't always assume that the construction companies know the
1:06:07protocols because they seem to think sometimes that they do and then come to find out they don't or they didn't follow it and then they spend all this kind of money correcting what they what they could have done uh, initially. So, um, to answer your question, it it there are sight specific requirements depending on what you're building.
1:06:29>> That's great. It's such a big project to have this in advance is such an advantage for them. Well, I was working on two and I apologized and I called our chairman and said, "I'm going to be a little bit late because I couldn't get what open space needed." And then I did those two documents and the open space took me like a month and a half to do.
1:06:48And this one, I started it when I first saw it, but then it really took me the last three weeks to really get it done.
1:06:55And I um when I first sent it, they didn't get it for some reason. I don't know why if it was too big or what have you or maybe I did something wrong in trying to send it. So, um I think her name is Dia. Dia, is that her name? Um I spoke with her this morning to make sure that she got the document. She was just so excited that she got something from
1:07:15us that helped them tremendously. If you look and if you look at the known plan, they've got a building where they, you know, do all their general stuff, but they also have three, four cabins, >> cottages.
1:07:30>> Yeah.
1:07:31>> Yeah.
1:07:31>> And that, you know, they have pictures of these things, cute little cottages, >> but you don't know what's going on inside and how how >> these kids with disabilities are going to be able to get in and what once they get in with this in area going to be like. Y.
1:07:47>> Yeah, >> that's great.
1:07:48>> For instance, crushed rock, you know, like they were saying, lease, can we use crushed rock? Well, in certain circumstances, you can, but when it comes to strong surface, they don't want to see anything that can move.
1:08:01>> Then there was a question about runoff water. Well, if they had like the torrential rains that we had and it disturbed that particular walkway, then you might have a potential issue with runoff water. So there are so many different facets and I didn't realize in when I was researching this that all of the buildings have to be handicap accessible whether it be walking or with
1:08:25a wheelchair or you know braille or the lighting and I didn't even realize how important the lighting is at night especially along those walkways. So that was something new that I was able to learn as I was trying to put the information together for them that there there's quite a bit there.
1:08:41>> Yeah. And if you have a crushed crushed rock, it's got to be pressed >> back [clears throat] down so that when somebody's in a wheelchair, >> you know, if you hit one little raised rock >> Yeah.
1:08:54>> could be a problem.
1:08:55>> Absolutely right. And from what I understand now, when I was talking to one of the contractors, they have a liquid resin which looks like glass like when they're done, but it actually it's a smooth surface. You can still see the crushed rock, so it gives you that impression that it's crushed rock, but when you put the wheelchair on it, it
1:09:13doesn't move. So, you're absolutely right, Brian. I didn't know that.
1:09:15>> That's good.
1:09:17And I speak from experience and having been dumped more than once.
1:09:22>> My wheelchair hit an obstacle.
1:09:24>> Yeah.
1:09:25>> Thank you.
1:09:26>> All right, our next meeting, August 24 of 2020 says, "Hard to believe that the summer has gone by so quickly." >> I know. It always does.
1:09:36>> Our next meeting is August 24 of 2026.
1:09:40Probably be in this room again.
1:09:42And um make a note of it.
1:09:49Final thing on the agenda is may I have a motion to adjourn?
1:09:53>> Go ahead, Martin.
1:09:54>> Make a motion to adjurnn.
1:09:56>> Second. All in favor? How I