Middleborough commission recommends junior at Bridgewater State for appointment to disability commission

The Town of Middleborough Commission on Disability voted unanimously to send a letter to the town manager recommending that Olivia Pastorello be appointed to the commission.

Pastorello, a junior at Bridgewater State University studying adaptive physical education and motor development therapy, told the commission she has worked as an adaptive swim instructor and as a personal care assistant to people with significant disabilities. "I feel like everything should be accessible for everyone," she said during the meeting.

Members praised Pastorello's direct experience working one‑on‑one with children and adults with disabilities and her focus on education and practical accessibility changes. The commission chair said they would draft and send the recommendation letter that week.

The commission noted next steps are administrative: the town manager may wish to meet with Pastorello before deciding whether to appoint her, and any appointment by the manager must be ratified by the Select Board at a future meeting (members said the Select Board likely will not meet again until January). The commission expressed hope that the process would be completed in time for Pastorello to participate in the group's early 2025 work.

Motion and vote: a motion to send the recommendation letter was made, seconded and approved with all members voting in favor.

The commission also approved the meeting minutes from Nov. 20, 2024, earlier in the session.