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Merrimac disability commission urges planning-board review of accessibility plans, requests sidewalk at 1 Bear Hill Road
Summary
The Merrimac Commission on Disability asked the planning board to send project plans for review, requested a roughly 250-foot sidewalk at 1 Bear Hill Road for pedestrian safety, and flagged multiple accessibility gaps in local renovations and permits, including aisle widths, elevator drawings and EV charging accommodations.
The Merrimac Commission on Disability on Sept. 4 urged the planning board to provide project plans for advance review and asked that owners of 1 Bear Hill Road consider installing about 250 linear feet of sidewalk from the corner of Maine Street to the proposed entrance to improve pedestrian safety.
Chairman Christopher Gaudet told the commission that the COD has formally requested the planning board forward plans for future renovations and building projects before they proceed so accessibility issues can be addressed early in the review process. Gaudet said the commission’s email to the planning board (dated Aug. 23, 2024) lists specific items the COD wants addressed.
The commission flagged specific design issues it wants the planning board and applicants to include: aisle widths between accessible parking spaces of at least 96 inches; elevator drawings required by 521 CMR 28.00 to show mezzanine access; accommodations for ADA-accessible electric-vehicle charging per US Architectural Access Board guidance, the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) and ADA Title III; and consideration of push-button automatic door openers, which are not required in every case but are helpful for many disabled residents.
Commissioners also discussed recent local renovation permits. Gaudet reported that renovations at 99 East Main Street currently show no designated handicap parking spaces; the building inspector will verify that any ADA improvements listed on the permit have been completed before final sign-off. Gaudet said he met with the building owner (Milton) and property manager (Jeff Smith) about a ramp at 5 East Main Street and advised them to consult the building inspector before making further changes; he provided Massachusetts ADA compliance literature as a reference.
The commission noted it applied for a MOD grant to address curb cuts along an emergency route near Donaghue School that the COD judges not ADA compliant; members agreed to defer physical work on curb cuts until they learn whether the grant is awarded. The COD also said the Institution for Human Design has signed a proposal to conduct an ADA review of municipal websites and that a report to the Merrimac Light Department is still outstanding.
The item remains under active review; commissioners asked staff to continue following up with the planning board, the building inspector and project applicants and to report grant results and the IHCD website-review report when available.
