TOWNSHIP OF LOWER MAKEFIELD

DISABLED PERSONS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, FEBUARY 27, 2007

 

A meeting of the Disabled Persons Advisory Board of the Township of Lower Makefield was held in the Municipal Building on Tuesday, February 27, 2007.  Chairman Rogers opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

 

Those present:

 

BOARD  MEMBERS:                                 David Rogers, Vice-Chairman

Lisa Huchler-Smith, Chairman

Ann Piccinotti, member

Liz Harbison, member (absent)

Megan Dorko, Secretary

                                                                       

OTHERS:                                                      Pete Stainthorpe, Supervisor Liaison (absent)

                                                                        Art Cohen, Citizens Traffic Committee

                                                                        Tom Wells, Resident

 

APPROVAL OF JANUARY 2007 MINUTES

 

Mrs. Huchler-Smith moved, Ms. Dorko seconded and it was unanimously carried to approve the January 2007 minutes as written.

 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

 

Mr. Rogers asked for any nominations for Chairman.  Ms. Dorko nominated Mrs. Huchler-Smith as Chairman, Mrs. Piccinotti seconded and the nomination was unanimously carried.  

 

Mr. Rogers asked for any nominations for Vice- Chairman.  Mrs. Huchler-Smith nominated Mr. Rogers as Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Piccinotti seconded and the nomination was unanimously carried. 

 

Mr. Rogers asked for any nominations for Secretary.  Mrs. Huchler-Smith nominated Ms. Dorko as Secretary, Mr. Rogers seconded and the nomination was unanimously carried. 

 

PRESENTATION BY TOM WELLS

 

Mr. Wells stated that he is a local builder and is hearing impaired.  He stated that the acoustics in the Board of Supervisors room make it very difficult for a non-hearing impaired person to hear well during meetings.  He stated that panels could be installed in the meeting room to improve the sound.  Mr. Wells stated he found out about this product because these panels were installed in his church meeting room to improve the sound.  He stated the company that manufacturers the panels are Netwell and the panels are made of a dense fiberglass board wrapped in fabric to match the existing décor of the room.  Mrs. Huchler-Smith asked how many panels would be

 

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needed for the meeting room.  Mr. Wells stated Netwell would ask for a drawing and size of the room to determine how many panels are needed.  Mrs. Huchler-Smith asked what the cost of the project might be.  Mr. Wells stated approximately $5,000.  Mrs. Huchler-Smith asked Mr. Wells if the panels could be moved and Mr. Wells replied yes.

 

Mrs. Huchler-Smith stated either she or Mr. Rogers would contact NetWell for prices and the Board would discuss the concept.  Mrs. Piccinotti suggested proposing the acoustic panels to the Seniors Group and the Performing Arts to support the concept.

 

COMMUNITY DAY

 

Mrs. Huchler-Smith stated the Board discussed at the last meeting certain things they would like to see improved upon like the location of the food, handicap parking too far away, the location of the Disabled Advisory Board’s table to where the buses dropped people off and vendor parking.  Mrs. Huchler-Smith stated she would make these suggestions to Mr. Smith or Ms. Linney for the next Community Day.

 

BUILDING PERMITS

 

None noted.

 

Mr. Rogers stated he reviewed the Sunrise Nursing Home plans and noted it has two handicap spots proposed in the right area of the parking lot.  Mrs. Huchler-Smith questioned if two handicap spots is enough for the size of the facility.    Mr. Rogers stated in this case, the number of handicap spots is based on the number of beds at the nursing home.  Mr. Rogers stated the handicap ramp to the entrance of the building is also indicated correctly.

 

EMERGENCY DATABASE AND HANDICAP PARKING ENFORCEMENT

 

Mrs. Huchler-Smith stated that Chief Coluzzi will be attending next month’s Disabled Board meeting to discuss the County Emergency database, enforcing handicap parking violations and other items.

 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

 

Mrs. Huchler-Smith stated she had a meeting with Mr. Steve Santarsiero to prepare for the Southeastern Bucks League of Municipalities meeting to share ideas with other municipalities.  Mr. Rogers stated on March 13, 2007 he is meeting with Mr. Jim Cawley to put together a Bucks County Disabled Board and will report back to the Board following that meeting.

 

TAX OFFICE

 

Mrs. Huchler-Smith stated she talked with Ms. Rebecca Cecchine the tax collector, about better access to the tax office and they talked about the need to install an automatic door.  Mrs.

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Huchler-Smith suggested getting a proposal for the installation of new automatic doors but in the meantime the Board should request that a doorbell be installed to let people in the door.  The Board discussed improving the condition of the sidewalk into the tax office.

 

BUCKS COUNTY TMA

 

Mrs. Huchler-Smith stated she found out the TMA meetings are on the second Wednesday of even months, the next meeting is in April.  She stated the TMA has a membership but she does not know what it is.  Mr. Rogers stated the membership is a way for the TMA to raise money.

 

The date of the next meeting will be March 27th at 7:30 p.m.

 

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

                                               

                       

                                                                        Megan Dorko, Secretary