The Commission on Disability at its meeting Monday unanimously approved the submission of a Community Preservation Committee application for accessibility improvements for the Hopkinton Public Library.
Member Amy Ritterbusch told commission members she has been communicating with Dave Daltorio, the town engineer/facilities director, regarding the cost of a push-button system for the library’s front door and a handrail for the sloped walkway. In addition to the CPC application, the commission will be seeking other grants.
The system for the door was estimated to cost around $20,000, and it would open both the inner and outer doors, Daltorio told Ritterbusch. The handrail was estimated to cost $13,500. Ritterbusch said Daltorio advised the commission to request double that amount due to the prevailing wage. Both projects would go out to bid, and the lowest bid would be accepted, according to procurement policy.
Ritterbusch added that the deadline to apply for CPC funding is Oct. 10. If the CPC application for this project is approved, the request would move forward in a Town Meeting article to be voted on in May 2025. The Historic District Commission would have to approve the handrail’s color because the library is in the historic district.
Chair Holly Morand noted that there was “a lot of feedback” asking for accessibility improvements for the library’s Main Street entrance at the commission’s public forum earlier this year as well as in its community survey. The library is in support of the application and has also received requests for these building features.
Morand added that she spoke with Amy Beck, the director of Senior Services, about the project. If a CPC grant cannot fully fund the project, Senior Services may provide some financial support, she said. The chair also will research other grant opportunities.
Stressed Morand: “These accessibility improvements help everyone.”
She added, “Folks with disabilities deserve to have two emergency exits; now there is only one.”
A copy of the application will be sent to Nanci Hill, the library’s director.
Handle with Care program discussed
Morand presented a rough draft of a survey form she created to collect information from stakeholders about what information should be included in the Handle with Care program form discussed at the last meeting. The Hopkinton Police Department is partnering with the Commission on Disability on this initiative. More stakeholders are expected to be added.
The goal is for first responders to have a database of people who have disabilities or conditions that may require a specialized approach to assessment during an emergency. For example, a person may disclose that flashing lights could trigger epileptic seizures, which would alert responders not to use them. Another example would be to make first responders aware of people in the home who use wheelchairs or scooters. A person experiencing a mental health crisis would require a different approach.
Morand said she will be seeking feedback from 26 stakeholder groups, including SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council), the Hopkinton Public Schools, the Senior Center and the Michael Carter Lisnow Center, among many others. Individuals can send suggestions to Morand at codchair@hopkintonma.gov.
Responses received will be used to create the final form. This form then can be voluntarily submitted to the HPD so that the data can be kept on file in a database that only first responders can access. Morand noted that photos, escape plans and other helpful information also can be included.
“It’s not just for mitigating risk for the Police Department,” Morand explained. “It’s for keeping everybody safe and making sure that in the event of an emergency, we are considering every single person in this community. And if there’s a crisis, we want to make sure that we respond appropriately with the right supports.”
Pat Sykora, who attended the meeting as the parent and caregiver of her daughter, suggested including information about support animals. She also said the form should ask if there any extenuating circumstances that could pose a risk to first responders.
Morand offered to go to community gathering spaces such as the library, BoMain, the Michael Carter Lisnow Center and other places to help people with filling out the form.
“I hope that every person in town never needs to use it,” she said. “But I am grateful that we will have it. It gives the chiefs really valuable feedback.”
Upcoming topics identified
The next meeting will be on Oct. 28. Some of the topics that will be discussed will include feedback form progress, updates on the commission’s upcoming video series on living in town with various disabilities, and the availability of more accessible voting stations.
The commission decided not to discuss applying for a state community transit grant this year because the application is due Nov. 1.
Nice work, Amy and Holly, on all mentioned projects!
The switchback ramp always seems precarious for all types of people. Wondering if the railing will have a lower rail as well to prevent wheelchairs and strollers from dropping off an edge?