The Commission on Disability at its meeting Monday night discussed concerns about accessibility with Michelle Murdock, the professional project specialist for the town on the Main Street Corridor Project.

Murdock first announced some “awesome news” about the project. Earlier in the day, Town Manager Elaine Lazarus announced that six of the 12 transformers needed to complete the undergrounding of utilities will be arriving this week from Eversource.

“What has been holding up the project is the availability of transformers from Eversource,” she explained. “The remaining six will be arriving in the next few weeks. Now that we have these transformers, it will enable the project to continue and complete.”

After this update, Murdock listened to members’ concerns with the project in regard to accessibility. Member Nancy “Punky” Drawe asked if more curb cuts would be added to allow for better access to the sidewalk. The addition of curb cuts and accessible parking at the Town Common was of particular concern to her.

While Murdock said she was at the meeting in a listening capacity, she did note that the final coat of pavement has not been applied yet. When it is, the curb will not be as tall. Murdock added that the bike lane cannot be completed until it is striped, the traffic signals are updated and the brickwork is finished. It will be striped for two-way traffic.

Member Amy Ritterbusch suggested that the commission request an ADA audit to address issues before the project is completed. Chair Holly Morand agreed, adding that the commission should do a site walk to point out and take pictures of problematic areas. Murdock said she would check into the audit request.

Ritterbusch also noted that the current placement of accessible parking at the Town Common poses a problem because users have to go down Main Street to find a curb cut to get onto the sidewalk.

Vice chair Alex Danahy confirmed that the only designated space on the Center School side of the Town Common is an issue.

Another problem Danahy pointed out is the Main Street space just beyond the library.

“For me to put my ramp down, my ramp would come down into the bike lane,” he said. “But then there’s no way for a wheelchair to get back up onto the curb without driving against traffic. I feel like that’s common sense with the handicapped parking space right there.”

Ritterbusch suggested that some spaces on Marathon Way be designated as accessible spaces.

The placement of poles on the sidewalk make it difficult for those who use wheelchairs, walkers or strollers to travel safely, several members told Murdock.

Morand asked if auditory cues would be available on the traffic lights that would assist visually impaired people and alert vehicles.

The Muffin House Cafe’s placement of furniture for outdoor dining on the sidewalk and in the bike lane also was pointed out as a hazard. Murdock said that was “a valid point” and “an enforcement issue for the town” rather than a Main Street Corridor Project issue.

Many of the issues addressed to Murdock were “common sense,” Danahy said several times. People with disabilities, he said, should be included in the planning process.

Added Drawe: “I always wonder if the people who designed these things would make it look like that if they were handicapped themselves or had someone in their family who was.”

Murdock requested that the commission put together a list of concerns that she can share with the project team. She was scheduled to meet with the team Tuesday morning and said she would bring up the issues mentioned at this meeting.

Commission discusses increasing its presence via HCAM

The commission revisited the discussion of requesting that its meetings be broadcast on HCAM. While some members thought it was an ideal way to increase its visibility, others were concerned that they might be more constrained in their discussions if they were being broadcast live, impairing their creativity.

“The bottom line is that if we do a good job, the news will spread,” said member Praveen Hariharan, who was open to the meetings being broadcast on HCAM.

Danielle Cook, the library’s reference and technology supervisor, attended the meeting as a guest. She suggested a compromise — an HCAM show like the one she does for the library. It could help viewers understand the issues that people with different disabilities encounter in a more informal and personal way, she said.

“There are a number of folks in Hopkinton who have a variety of different disabilities who would be willing to talk about that,” Cook stressed. “I think it would help folks who don’t know much about disability learn more about why these things are important.”

She added that the show could help people with disabilities “feel seen” and perhaps volunteer to help the commission in its work.

Morand said it would be helpful to educate the public on issues of accessibility as well as the use of appropriate and non-offensive language when talking about disabilities and the people who have them.

Members were receptive to the idea of the show. They decided to table the issue until the full board was present.

Commission elects officers

Morand and Danahy were unanimously reelected to a second term as chair and vice chair, respectively. Ritterbusch was elected as the commission’s secretary.