Minutes
Mansfield Advisory Committee on Persons with Disabilities
Regular Meeting - Tuesday, May 23, 2006
2:30 PM - Conference Room C - Audrey P. Beck Building
I. Recording Attendance: Present: K. Grunwald (staff), T. Miller, S. Hasson (Chair), W. Gibbs, J. Sidney, Cynthia Van Zelm (guest). Regrets: Sheila Thompson
II. Approval of the Minutes for the Meeting, April 25, 2006: the minutes were accepted as written.
a. Building Plan review/recommendation(s) – Building D1 – Storrs Center – Dewolf: Members discussed the review of the plans for this building that was done by John Dewolf. Concerns were raised about the plan for accessible parking, and also about the use of the term “handicapped.”
b. Presentation on progress of Downtown Partnership Project – Cynthia Van Zelm gave an overview of the status of the proposed Storrs downtown project. Members were very interested and raised concerns about accessible parking, parking enforcement, and the possibility of some accessible apartments.
c. “Other”: J. Sidney raised a concern about a need for additional accessible parking spaces at the Community Center. K. Grunwald had already contacted Greg Padick, Town Planner, about this and shared his email response. The committee requested that K. Grunwald draft a letter to Curt Vincente that will be copied to the Traffic Authority on this issue. Committee members will review the letter before it is sent on behalf of MACPD.
K. Grunwald distributed information on a presentation by the Disability Network of Eastern CT on May 31 at the Mansfield Senior Center, and the Annual ASPE National Conference on Supported Employment.
a. Membership status – An interest was expressed in recruiting people with different disabilities, including hearing impairment and developmental disabilities. J. Sidney suggested Elizabeth Kennard as a potential member, and K. Grunwald will contact her. T. Miller is moving to Kentucky, but plans on attending the June meeting.
b. Update- transportation grant for seniors and disabled – Grunwald: no update given; the program is scheduled to begin July 1.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 PM
Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 27, 2:30 PM
Respectfully submitted, Kevin Grunwald