Standing Committee on Ethnic and Minority Affairs
Wednesday, January 17, 2001
Multi-Purpose Room, Worcester Senior Center
128 Providence Street
Convened: 6:15 P.M.
Adjourned: 8:10 P.M.
Councillor
Timothy P. Murray
Also: Deputy
Director Human Resources Larry Raymond
Director of Elder
Affairs Elizabeth Mullaney
Senior Center
Director Sona Hargrove
City Clerk David J.
Rushford, clerk
1. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan.
#14A CM December 5,
2000
Speakers:
1.
Sharon Stukowski,
127 June St., Worcester spoke about tactile and way-finding signage as being
preferable to Braille signage.
2.
Idella Hazzard, 5
Ludlow Street, Worcester spoke about reaching all communities and about
obtaining copies of the Plan.
3.
Terry Putnam, Mass
Senior Action Council spoke about sharing interests and concerns between the
members of the disabled community and the elder community.
4.
Unidentified women
spoke about need to repair sidewalks and curbcuts and install understandable
signage.
5.
Ms. Alfieri, 714
Main Street spoke about making City Hall entrances more accessible.
6.
Betty O’Leary spoke
about getting ADA compliance information.
7.
Elizabeth Mullaney spoke
about the Senior Aide Program and how the Information Booth at City Hall is
staffed.
8.
Dwight Woodworth,
27 Mt. Vernon St., Apt # 101, Worcester submitted written testimony which was
read aloud by the City Clerk.
9.
Joe Leone, 67
Millbrook Street, Worcester from the Center for Living and Working spoke about
the intent of the Plan and the things that can happen once portions of it are
implemented.
10.
Mike Kennedy, 67
Millbrook Street, Worcester from the Center for Living and Working spoke about
the work that went into the preparation of the Transition Plan document, a
living document that will see projects completed and new ones added.
11.
Ron Madnick, 12
Pine Tree Drive, Worcester, Director of the Central Mass Chapter of the ACLU
spoke about cooperation that have taken place to date on implementing pieces of
the Plan and also about stepping up the amount of money allocated towards
realizing more improvements.
12.
Louise Pelley, 40
Belmont Street, Worcester spoke about needing improvements to sidewalks.
13.
Terry Adcock, 67
Millbrook Street, Worcester, Director of the Center for Living and Working
spoke about additional money for sidewalk repair and ramping.
14.
Scott Putnam lives
off of Grove Street, Worcester asked that sidewalks in his area be made HP
accessible.
15.
Marjorie Cohen,
Mayfair Street, Worcester spoke about the need to have better door access into
major buildings.
16.
Nathan Stout, lives
off of Dorchester Street, asked about sidewalks and bus stops being cleared
along Grafton Street.
Chairman’s Order request that the City Charter and the City Ordinances
be made available in tape format to the sight impaired members of the public by
the Worcester Public Library.
Chairman’s Order request the Administration report to the City Council
what actions have taken place to date and any future plans being proposed for
improving the ease with which the exterior doors at City Hall might be opened.
Chairman’s Order request the City’s Department of Public Health and
Code Enforcement evaluates compliance with the ADA guidelines when renovations
or new construction work is inspected.
Chairman’s Order request the Parks Commissioner report to the City
Council concerning any progress in providing Park Rangers with keys to the
restroom facilities in each of our parks.
Chairman’s Order request the City Manager request the new Administrator
of the WRTA report to the City Council concerning their policy on clearing snow
from their bus stops.