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Public commenters urge Methuen commission to fix pedestrian signals, press Chick‑fil‑A on accessible entrance
Summary
Public commenters and emailed letters raised accessibility concerns including nonworking accessible pedestrian signals at several intersections, a Chick‑fil‑A entrance lacking a push‑button operator, and requests for clearer grant procedures and website transparency.
Multiple public comments and submitted letters at the Aug. 21 Methuen Commission on Disabilities meeting urged stronger enforcement and follow-up on pedestrian-signal repairs and other accessibility issues.
Sid Harris, a long-time local disability advocate, told the commission he had previously submitted a list of ADA shortfalls and accused the commission of failing to prioritize residents with disabilities. "You picked the wrong side," Harris said of the commission's choices in prior years, and he urged members to act on outstanding complaints. Harris also said he filed a civil-rights complaint that prompted Public Works to agree to fix a slope at the Nevins parking area that had been discussed since 2015.
Harris singled out a local Chick‑fil‑A, saying the restaurant had refused to install a required push‑button door operator at its main accessible entrance and instead directed people to a side door by signage; he described that practice as "discriminatory" and "against the ADA." The transcript records this allegation but includes no response from the restaurant in the meeting record.
The commission also had two written submissions read into the record. An email from Jennifer Diaz listed intersections with nonworking accessible pedestrian signals (APS) and requested "a detailed timeline of repairs and a clear communication plan to ensure transparency and accountability in addressing these vital safety issues." Locations named included the traffic light by the police department on Broadway (route to the library) and intersections around Jackson Street, Howe, Pleasant, and Pleasant Valley Streets.
A letter from Kelly Spain of Grama Consulting and Therapy LLC urged the city to prioritize modern ADA-compliant intersection design—audible crossing signals, tactile paving, and consistent sidewalk maintenance—to make travel safer for residents who are blind or visually impaired.
Harris also criticized the commission's handling of grant processes (citing Forest Lake and Nevins library grants), saying some grants had not been approved by city council and recommending clearer documentation for the public on grant recipients and amounts. He disputed statements about the commission's size, saying the municipal code specifies nine members and asked the commission to request a solicitor opinion if there is disagreement.
Commission staff (Jordan) and members agreed to follow up: Jordan offered to coordinate with DPW and DOT where appropriate and to facilitate contact with the new Safe Streets task force. The commission asked staff to share the letters with relevant departments and discuss inviting task force representatives to a future meeting.
The record includes several allegations and requests for action; in the meeting transcript these claims were not independently adjudicated. The commission did not issue formal findings at this meeting beyond agreeing to follow up with DPW and task-force contacts.
