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Disabilities Commission presses building department to ensure 550 King Street and new school meet ADA requirements
Summary
The Disabilities Commission pressed Building Commissioner Henry Fontaine to ensure plans for the 550 King Street project and a proposed school conform to ADA minimums, requested blueprint reviews and inclusion of third‑party and Commission walk‑throughs to prevent costly retrofits.
The Disabilities Commission met May 15 and pressed the town’s building office to make sure the 550 King Street development and the planned school meet federal accessibility standards. Building Commissioner Henry Fontaine told the panel a third‑party reviewer will examine incoming plans and that his office will also review blueprints and perform site visits to flag issues early.
“Once we receive the plans, we can probably start doing a review on it,” Henry Fontaine said, adding that the third‑party reviewer and his office will look at accessible units, parking, elevators and other required elements.
Commission members said recent consultant audits found mis‑located fixtures — including bathroom fittings and water fountains — and parking spaces that lacked required markings. George, a commission member, said those findings suggest lapses in contractor vetting and a need for earlier Commission involvement in plan reviews and final walk‑throughs.
“We need to make sure that whatever buildings that’s put up at 550 … conform 100% with the minimum ADA requirements,” George said, urging the Commission be allowed to participate in final inspections.
Members discussed using bond closeout timing and contractor warranties to insist on corrections, and suggested the select board and PMBC be briefed on audit findings so future contracts include ADA‑aware contractors and enforcement steps.
Next steps: the building commissioner will review plans when submitted, the third‑party reviewer will report findings, and the Commission will request opportunities for plan review and final walk‑throughs to prevent retrofits.
