Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget And Outreach topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Needham commission reviews ADA liaison budget, summer outreach and Select Board goals feedback
Summary
At its June 17 meeting the commission reviewed a small annual budget and spending tied to a low-vision event, discussed community trainings and outreach plans for summer and fall, and asked members to send feedback on Select Board goals by June 30.
The Needham Commission on Disabilities received updates June 17 from its ADA liaison about a small operating budget, recent expenditure for a low-vision event speaker, and planned summer outreach and trainings.
Tatiana, the commission's ADA liaison, reported the commission's fiscal-year budget is $550. Members said approximately $500 of that amount was allocated to community initiatives connected with the CAF effort: $307 was spent on food for a low-vision lunch event and the commission intends the approximately $199 remaining of that allocation to cover a speaker fee for the Carroll Center for the Blind; the liaison said an invoice from the Carroll Center had not yet been received and she is working with staff to encumber funds so the fiscal-year close does not prevent payment. Tatiana also summarized that after those charges the commission's remaining balance is roughly $50 for the fiscal year.
Commissioners discussed multiple summer- and fall-focused outreach items: they asked members to review the Select Board goals and send feedback to co-chairs (Carol and Jeannie) and to Katie King and staff member Miles by June 30. Council goals discussed include priorities the Select Board plans to pursue; the deputy town manager and incoming town manager, Katie King, and outgoing town manager, Kate Fitzpatrick, were mentioned in that context. Members were reminded of community access monitor training scheduled for September and October, and of the commission's plan to make shop accessibility visits a summer project.
On events, members discussed the town's sensory-friendly Halloween option: commissioners and Officer Kelly said prior sensory-friendly hours were popular but that open admission sometimes allowed large groups (for example, soccer teams) that made the environment less quiet than intended. Officer Kelly said the prior event 'was packed' and suggested clearer targeting or messaging if the commission seeks a quieter audience. Members also discussed potential presence at the late-September Harvest Fair and plans for library or community-center speakers this fall.
Commissioners received brief updates that the Needham Envision Center decision has been deferred until the fall and that the YMCA access concerns raised earlier were considered closed after prior guidance to the requester.
Members asked staff to continue outreach, handle publication logistics for the Good Neighbor Award survey, and bring budget and outreach updates to the commission when the communications form is active and after summer activities.
