The Commission on Disability on Monday discussed the need to partner with the town’s ADA coordinator in light of a recent complaint the chair received from a resident.

Chair Nancy “Punky” Drawe said she received a comment in mid-March from a resident regarding their visit to a business located in a second-floor office at 1 Lumber Street. Drawe noted that the door to enter the building was described as “really heavy” and does not have the ability to open via a push-button mechanism. It also was difficult to access the second floor for a person with mobility impairments, Drawe said, noting her personal experience there.

She added that she reached out at that time to Christopher McWhite to make him aware of the complaint and invite him to this meeting. According to The Massachusetts Office on Disability website, McWhite is listed as Hopkinton’s ADA coordinator. 

The town website lists McWhite as the director of municipal inspections/zoning enforcement officer. It does not display his role as ADA coordinator.

“Every city and town in Massachusetts is required to have someone fulfill these duties,” according to the MOD website. “In many communities, there may not be a specific person called ‘the ADA Coordinator.’ In some communities, the responsible person may be a department manager or an administrator.”

The importance of an ADA coordinator to a community’s Commission on Disability highlighted in a February meeting with the leaders of the Framingham Disability Commission. The Framingham Disability Commission has been in existence since 2002 and acts in tandem with the city’s ADA coordinator to resolve accessibility issues and present information to the state’s Architectural Access Board at hearings.

Added Drawe: “He seems to be their right hand.”

Drawe: Confusion about ADA role

Drawe said she spoke with McWhite in March to invite him to this meeting and to make him aware of the information she received regarding 1 Lumber Street.

“He didn’t even know that he was our coordinator,” said Drawe. “I was taken aback when he didn’t realize he was even supposed to be involved with us.”

Nancy Cavanaugh said that he is the person who addresses complaints regarding building accessibility compliance. This responsibility would be in line with his role as the town’s building inspector.

She added that the COD should contact Town Manager Elaine Lazarus to ensure that this responsibility is clearly documented “in his job description and for whoever succeeds him going forward.”

Stressed Cavanaugh: “We need to get the word out there that there is a mechanism for the public to file a complaint.”

Vice chair Amy Ritterbusch suggested creating a list of questions for McWhite so that he could familiarize himself with the COD’s goals and create a partnership.

One question was whether his job entailed working with the Department of Public Works regarding sidewalk maintenance and curb cut requests. Another was to see how he could make government buildings in town more accessible, such as Town Hall and the post office.

Ritterbusch pointed out that buildings can meet all of the ADA requirements “but still not be accessible as we’d like.”

Cavanaugh added that the COD should ask McWhite how he would like complaints to be referred to him as issues arise.

McWhite to attend future meetings

McWhite responded to a request for comment from the Independent via email on Wednesday. He noted that he was unable to attend the meeting because of a scheduling conflict.

“I was pulled in a different direction and will rejoin the Commission in the coming weeks and months,” he stated.

McWhite stressed that he is “aware of my assigned title, ADA Coordinator” in addition to his other responsibilities.

“I hope to participate with the COD more as a listener than a speaker,” he shared. “I believe my role is to offer requested guidance so that those who rely on the Commission can best understand what accessibility codes actually require.

“I believe that buildings which offer accessible features are more likely to flourish because a wider citizenry can increase their patronage,” continued McWhite. “My hope is to help the COD identify where accessible features are viable solutions in our communities’ public buildings.”

He added that he is looking forward to conversations with the COD on helping to address the potential gaps between ADA requirements and practicality for people with disabilities.

DPW to partner on accessibility event

Drawe announced that the Department of Public Works is implementing $45,000 state grant the COD had received. It encompasses an evaluation and transition plan for town and non-school facilities to increase accessibility.

In a recent phone conversation with DPW director Kerry Reed, Drawe learned that Reed hired a capital assessment company. Ritterbusch said the company will evaluate town buildings, parks, sidewalks and parking areas. It then will create a corrective action plan.

Drawe added that Reed is also working on planning a spring community forum with the COD. Residents, particularly those with disabilities, can discuss issues they encounter and how to prioritize actions on what the evaluation uncovers.

Use of funds from parking violations OK’d

The commission voted 4-0 to approve a motion that would allow it to receive the money derived from fines to motorists who park in accessible parking spaces without a placard or special plate.

Ritterbusch noted that an account would be established with the town treasurer. Funds would be solely used for the benefit of people with disabilities.

Members expressed optimism about the fund, although they did not expect it to generate much money. Ritterbusch said she was told by Lazarus that only one ticket was issued since July 1, 2025, for $110.

“I think we’re going to have to push the police to do some targeted enforcement,” she added, suggesting regular patrols.

The idea for claiming these funds came from the February meeting with Framingham Disability Commission members. Catherine Cuddy, its chair, said its fund has about $100,000.

Loch added to commission

The commission announced that Pamela Loch has joined the commission. The Select Board approved her appointment earlier in April.

Loch, who was unable to attend this meeting, has been a frequent participant in COD meetings over the past five months. She is a person with vision and hearing impairments. Loch advocated for a higher volume level for the Main Street traffic light at the crosswalk near Town Hall.

This leaves one vacant seat on the seven-member commission. The seat must be filled by a person with a disability, Drawe noted. According to state policy, a majority of commission members must have disabilities.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place remotely on May 11 at 7 p.m.