Merrimac disability commission to apply for grant for curb cuts, authorizes website review presentation

The Merrimac Commission on Disability voted June 5 to apply for a MOD grant to install curb cuts on Green Street to create a more accessible emergency route from Donaghue School to Holy Redeemer Church.

The motion to pursue the MOD grant was made by Kathleen Sullivan and seconded by Margaret Sullivan; members voted unanimously to apply and asked staff to request a cost estimate from Steve Merritt. Commissioners said they reprioritized previously proposed uses for the grant (including post‑office automatic door openers or accessible picnic tables at Sweetsir School) in favor of curb cuts they described as a more pressing need.

In a separate motion, Margaret Sullivan moved that Chairman Christopher Gaudet represent the commission in presenting the Institute for Human Design’s ADA website review to the Merrimac Select Board and that the commission authorize payment to the reviewer. Brienne Walsh seconded the motion, and members accepted it unanimously. The website review remains on schedule and will be presented to the Select Board once completed.

The commission also noted it did not receive an AARP sidewalks grant and discussed reapplying in a future cycle. Members recorded prior approval to use the balance of ADA sidewalk improvement funds in the Highway Department budget for sidewalk snow‑removal equipment, but agreed that going forward ADA improvement funds should not be used for routine snow and ice removal; they emphasized that the Department of Public Works is responsible for sidewalk snow removal.

The commission set its next meeting for July 31, 2024.