TOWNSHIP OF LOWER MAKEFIELD
DISABLED PERSONS ADVISORY
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2005
A meeting of the Disabled Persons Advisory Board of the Township of Lower Makefield was held in the Municipal Building on Tuesday, January 24, 2006. Chairman Rogers opened the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Those
present:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Lisa
Huchler-Smith, Secretary
David Rogers, Chairman
Ann Piccinotti, Vice-Chairman
Liz Harbison, member (absent)
OTHERS:
Megan
Dorko, resident
TABLE APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 2005 MINUTES
The Board agreed
to table approval of November 2005 until the next meeting.
Mr. Rogers
welcomed Mr. Stainthorpe as the new liaison to the Board.
Mr. Rogers
discussed the need for a new Board member now that Mr. McConville
resigned. Mr. Rogers stated that Ms.
Megan Dorko came to this meeting tonight to see if she is interested in joining
the Board. She submitted a letter of
interest several months ago but a position was not available at that time. Each Board member explained how they became
involved with the Board and their goals for the Board.
Mr. Rogers
stated he had a meeting with Mr. Fedorchak regarding the letter to Lower
Makefield business owners addressing signage for handicap parking. He stated he wanted the letter to make it
easy for property owners to comply with the ADA sign requirements by citing all
of the ADA requirements. He stated the
letter identifies the ADA law that has been in effect and how the Township
would like businesses to comply.
Mr. Rogers
stated that Mr. Fedorchak asked the Board to provide him with a list of
businesses in Lower Makefield in violation of handicap sign/parking space
requirements such as Makefield Executive Quarters, the Township Building and
McCaffrey’s. Mr. Stainthorpe noted that
many of the commercial developments in Lower Makefield are new and he is
surprised they are not in compliance with ADA requirements and the Board should
let the Code Enforcement department aware of this situation.
Disabled Persons Advisory Board – January
24, 2006
Page 2 of 3
Mr. Rogers
stated that Mr. Fedorchak suggested personalizing the letter to the businesses
to comply then Chief Coluzzi, Mr. Fedorchak and he would meet to discuss how to
implement compliance. Mrs. Huchler-Smith
stated she wanted to take the problem a step further and include information in
the letter about how and where to obtain the proper handicap signage. Mr. Rogers suggested the businesses contact
the Board members for information on how to obtain signs rather than provide
sign company names. Mrs. Piccinotti
suggested putting a picture example of the proper signage in the letter to the
businesses.
Mrs. Piccinotti
asked if there should be a certain number of handicap spaces at each
business. Mr. Rogers replied yes per ADA
requirements. He stated he would go
around and look at the handicap signage at all of the Lower Makefield
businesses/offices.
Mr. Rogers
stated at the meeting with Mr. Fedorchak they talked about the handicap signage
and parking at the Township Building.
Mr. Fedorchak stated the parking lot would be re-striped in the spring
and the Board could be involved in the proper signage and number of handicap
parking spaces the parking lot needs.
Mr. Rogers
stated he reviewed two permits the Board would be interested in pertaining to
interior renovations. He stated the
first permit was issued to Mr. Walter Kluehr on Township Line Road and DVC. Mr. Rogers stated the architect and builder
on DVC is Delaware Valley Construction and is very good.
Ms.
Huchler-Smith stated she prepared a list of suggested 2006 goals and reviewed
them with the Board. The goals are as
follows: continuation of current projects such as update library as needed,
review construction plans, and address citizens’ concerns. Also, address the
use of proper handicap signs, address Township accessibility such as doors,
lighting, sidewalk cutouts and Library doors.
She suggested Community outreach through newspapers, Harvest Day booth,
Senior Group meetings, schools, Library Book Fair, and Fire House Open House.
The Board also
suggested working with the Emergency squad to update their database, look at
emergency procedures, have the Fire Marshall give a presentation to the Board,
and focus on area transportation.
Mr. Rogers
updated Mr. Stainthorpe about the Emergency Squad information card not being
inputted into the County emergency system.
Mr. Stainthorpe
suggested the Board members attend a Board of Supervisors meeting at the end of
the year to give an update on all of their accomplishments.
Disabled Persons Advisory Board – January
24, 2006
Page 3 of 3
Ms. Piccinotti
asked Ms. Dorko as a prospective member what goals she wants to see the Board
accomplish. Ms. Dorko stated
transportation is a huge issue for her since she depends on public
transportation to get her to and from work.
Mr. Rogers suggested other Disabled Persons Advisory Boards get together
and voice their collective opinion for better regional transportation. Ms. Piccinotti suggested the Board contact
Bucks County Transportation to ask them to contract with the state to transport
disabled people. Mr. Stainthorpe stated
that he would talk with County Commissioner Jim Cawley to find some solutions
to these problems.
Mr. Stainthorpe
suggested looking into grant money for a pilot program for transportation in
Lower Makefield.
Mr. Rogers
suggested that the Board carefully monitor the Edgewood Village project and
accessibility issues that may arise.
Mrs. Piccinotti asked what were the plans for Edgewood Village. Mr. Stainthorpe updated the Ms. Piccinotti
and the Board on the Edgewood Village vision.
The Board agreed
to table election of officers for 2006 until the next meeting.
The next meeting
is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, 2006.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Lisa
Huchler-Smith, Secretary