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Date: 5/2/2023
MONSON – Jim Mazik and Mike Kennedy from the Center for Living and Working appeared before the Select Board at its April 25 meeting to discuss the Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan the town has underway. This was paid for through a Community Development Block Grant intended to help towns retrofit public spaces to become ADA compliant.
The areas in town that were found to need assistance or were not in compliance were presented to the board.
It was recommended that the town establish a Commission on Disability with a minimum of five members. In the absence of the commission for the time being, it was suggested the town create an ADA webpage on the town website to inform residents of who the ADA coordinator is and provide any other information related to ADA.
It was noted that reasonable accommodations should be included in job descriptions for the town. It was found that the town needed to revisit some ADA requirements within infrastructure.
The town was found to be non-compliant with effective communication about ADA accommodations at town meetings and events, and it was recommended they add specific language to meetings postings and other notices on how individuals could reach out to get accommodations if needed to attend, listen to and watch these events.
A transition plan citing areas of non-compliance with a detailed description of the steps needed to be taken and within what timeframe was also presented.
Town Planner temporary replacement
Ken Comia, Deputy Director of Land Use and Environment Department at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, appeared before the board to present a contract and answer any questions about the services provided as part of the contract.
In the absence of a town planner, Comia is serving as a professional planning service to the Planning Board. Comia attended a recent Planning Board meeting and said it went well.
The board went over Comia’s contract to provide services in lieu of a town planner and unanimously approved it.
Spring Into Wellness Fair
Board of Health member Joan Simmons announced the Spring Into Wellness fair happening on Saturday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Memorial Hall. Simmons said there will be 28 different booths and activities at the fair. These include yoga, chair massage and hands-on CPR instruction, Monson Substance Use Community Partnership will be having a booth, raffles, door prizes, the chance to win a composter, and animal assisted therapy dogs. For seniors, Simmons said, there will be blood pressure and heart rate screening, occupational therapy, and more. For more information visit the Monson Board of Health Facebook page.
Rock the Lawn event to benefit charities
Aaron Carpenter from myMonson appeared to talk about Rock the Lawn, a cornhole competition and concert happening at Veteran’s Field on June 17.
Carpenter said 100% of the proceeds after expenses are being donated to charities such as Wreaths Across America, the Monson Senior Center, first responder organizations and also said they are open to charities applying for a portion of the proceeds. Carpenter asked for funding from the town to help with the event, saying the event would cost around $25,000.
Chair Pat Oney made a motion to give the event a gift of $4,000 from the town which was unanimously approved.