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Commission to investigate accessibility work and ownership for Danvers Art Association building
Summary
Commissioners discussed previous efforts to make the Danvers Art Association building accessible, the unclear ownership status of the building, and possible barriers due to historic building constraints; they asked to trace prior steps and determine next actions and ownership.
The Town of Danvers Accessibility Commission discussed May 22 a multi‑year effort to make the Danvers Art Association building accessible after an art teacher involved in the project reported repeated stops in the process and a student who needs accessible access.
Commission participants said the art teacher (Mr. Sorett) told commissioners he had engaged town personnel about making the Danvers Art Association building accessible and that assessments had been done, but the work stalled. Sorett described a student who attends Saturday art classes in a wheelchair whose mother must carry her up the stairs so she can participate. Commission members said they do not know whether the art association owns the building or whether it is town‑owned and noted that accessibility upgrades at historic properties can be technically and financially challenging. The group said a town transition plan or building accessibility assessment would help prioritize projects where modifications would most benefit residents.
Commissioners asked to identify who previously conducted assessments, determine building ownership, and seek town staff (DPW or building department) or others who can explain why the work did not proceed. Members also discussed using the unresolved situation to argue for filling the town ADA‑related staff role and to invite DPW engineering staff to a future meeting to present on ongoing accessibility projects.
