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Northborough DEIB committee prioritizes short ADA compliance steps, will probe playground accessibility
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Summary
At its Jan. 27 meeting the Town of Northborough DEIB committee agreed to draft an ADA accommodation statement and an ADA nondiscrimination notice, form small subcommittees for drafting, and request design details from the DPW about concerns that a redesigned playground may not be accessible to wheelchair users.
The Town of Northborough Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) committee on Jan. 27 agreed to focus its next work cycle on short, actionable ADA compliance steps and to investigate community reports that a recently redesigned playground may still be inaccessible to many wheelchair users.
Chair Mary Alexandra Molina opened the remote meeting and confirmed members would proceed by roll call. Angie, who offered to coordinate drafting and implementation support, told the committee she could prepare sample language and post finalized text on town documents: "I can definitely do that part." The committee directed staff and volunteers to prepare two near-term deliverables for decision at the next meeting: a one-sentence ADA accommodation line for agendas and notices and an updated ADA nondiscrimination notice.
The committee agreed to use small subcommittees to produce drafts between meetings so the full body can review and vote. Members said town counsel would review any final language before adoption. Several members volunteered to reach out to counterparts in Newton and Weston for up-to-date templates and legal language.
Cynthia Moore, drawing on web-accessibility and HR experience, urged the committee to adopt warmer outreach wording that both invites requests and describes common accommodations. "So everyone's invited to the town meeting. What accommodations do you need?" she said, arguing that explicit examples and a general contact address would reduce barriers to participation. Members supported creating a general DEIB committee email that multiple people could monitor so messages are not missed when a volunteer is away.
The committee also discussed a specific accessibility concern at a town playground. Cynthia described calls from residents and said the current play-structure arches and surfacing appear to prevent some adult and child wheelchair users from navigating the equipment: "So now the terrain of the playground is not accessible for the child either." Members agreed to invite Scott, the DPW director, to the next meeting, put the item early on the agenda, and request the playground design dimensions and options for remediation.
Procedurally, the group planned to circulate draft language by email before the next meeting so members can provide edits ahead of time. The committee set Feb. 24, 2026, as its next meeting date. There was no public comment on Jan. 27. The chair moved to adjourn at 6:57 p.m.; Diane Wacko seconded and the motion carried by roll call.
Next steps: the committee will form small drafting subgroups, circulate the two initial deliverables (accommodation sentence and nondiscrimination notice) for comment, and invite the DPW director to discuss playground plans and remediation options at the next meeting.
