The Commission on Disability on Monday welcomed Parks & Recreation director Jon Lewitus to speak about planned accessibility improvements at the Town Common and other recreational areas. Chair Nancy “Punky” Drawe spoke about the need for additional seating at the...
The Commission on Disability met on Monday with Kerry Reed, the Department of Public Works director, to discuss a spring effort to make residents aware of the challenges people with disabilities face navigating the downtown area. Reed said she initially thought about...
The Commission on Disability on Monday elected a new slate of leaders and discussed its plans to highlight areas of concern for people with disabilities through a joint event with the Department of Public Works. Nancy “Punky” Drawe was voted as the new chair,...
Parks & Recreation Department Director Jon Lewitus appeared before the Commission on Disability on Monday night to discuss the department’s inclusivity efforts and take suggestions for accessibility improvements. Since becoming the department’s director in...
Town Clerk Connor Degan on Monday night told the Commission on Disability that accessible voting booths are ready for the May 19 Annual Town Election. Degan explained that the town won a grant from the Massachusetts Office on Disability to upgrade its election...
The Commission on Disability at its meeting Monday night discussed several projects it has been working on and pursuing the means to fund them through grants and other methods. One issue discussed at every meeting is the need for a handrail for the sloped path leading...
The Commission on Disability at its Monday night meeting discussed pursuing new funding opportunities for accessibility improvements to the library, rebounding after its Community Preservation Committee request for about $47,000 was shot down. The CPC request had been...
The Community Preservation Committee at its meeting Thursday night continued to review projects requesting fiscal year 2026 funds, acknowledging the challenge of allocating money in a tight economy. Under the Community Preservation Act that was signed in 2000,...
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...
The Commission on Disability at its meeting Thursday night discussed a public awareness campaign with Hopkinton’s top cops that would share helpful information regarding people with disabilities with first responders. Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett and Lt....
The Commission on Disability at its meeting Monday night decided to invite the town’s police chief, police lieutenant and fire chief to a Sept. 19 meeting to discuss how to implement its initiative to help first responders identify and assist people with disabilities...
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....
The Commission on Disability at its meeting Thursday night strategized three priorities where it will focus its efforts based on the results of its January public forum. Chair Holly Morand said accessibility issues on Main Street remail a top concern, especially since...
The Commission on Disability at its meeting Monday night learned important tools for website accessibility from commissioner and Select Board member Amy Ritterbusch. Ritterbusch, who works as a software and web analyst for the Wellesley Public Schools, gave a...
The Disability Commission hosted a public forum Monday that allowed about 30 people to give feedback about Hopkinton’s accessibility challenges while acknowledging the growing understanding of the needs of members of the disability community. Chair Holly Morand...
The Commission on Disability at its virtual meeting Monday night heard a detailed presentation on building accessibility requirements from one of its members. Member Mike DiMascio, a registered fire protection engineer, explained the scope of several accessibility...
The Commission on Disability at its meeting Monday night voted 5-0 to extend the deadline for completion of the community survey on accessibility until Dec. 15 due to a low response rate. Chair Holly Morand noted that there were 23 responses to the survey, which was...
The Commission on Disability at its hybrid meeting Monday night added new language to its draft survey on the needs of people with disabilities in Hopkinton. The survey will be distributed at the Nov. 13 Special Town Meeting and at other public buildings in town. In...
At a 10-minute meeting Tuesday night, the Select Board voted 4-0 to set the date for the Special Town Meeting for Monday, Nov. 13, and the Special Town Election for Tuesday, Nov. 28. The primary goal of this Special Town Meeting (STM) is to vote on the proposal for a...
The Commission on Disability at its meeting Monday night made progress on the creation of a town survey and event accessibility checklist to increase community awareness about the need for venues and documents to be accessible to people with disabilities. According to...
