Holyoke Commission on Disabilities reviews member roles, budget and outreach plans

The Holyoke Commission on Disabilities met Thursday, Aug. 28, and discussed internal roles and recruitment, municipal procurement and budgeting for the coming fiscal year, a planned community needs survey and state-level trail-access legislation.

Lynn Horan, chair of the Holyoke Commission on Disabilities, opened the meeting with a round of introductions and asked members to describe their skills, limitations and preferred roles on the panel. "Weare a very unique sort of commission," Horan said, noting the commission membership requirements that favor people with lived experience of disability.

Why it matters: commissioners said clarifying roles and communications will help the volunteer board maintain continuity when members face health or caregiving responsibilities. Horan noted the panel had endured an "unusually difficult last 12 months" of illnesses and family losses that temporarily reduced participation, and said the commission must organize to handle future absences.

Members described experience that they said qualifies them to serve. Jessica Libren, vice chair, summarized more than 15 years working directly with people with disabilities and said she brings budgeting experience. "I worked directly with the disabled special needs populations for over 15 years," Libren said. Sarah…