TOWNSHIP OF LOWER MAKEFIELD

DISABLED PERSONS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2004

A meeting of the Disabled Persons Advisory Board of the Township of Lower Makefield was held in the Municipal Building on Tuesday, August 24, 2004. Chairman Rogers opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Those present:

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: John McConville, member

Lisa Huchler-Smith, Secretary

David Rogers, Chairman

Ann Piccinotti, Vice-Chairman

Liz Harbison, member

OTHERS: Scott Fegley, Supervisor Liaison (absent)

Bob Shanburg

DETERMINING THE NUMBER OF DISABLED PERSONS LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY

Mr. Rogers said Chief Coluzzi contacted him to tell him the police have a record of only 15 disabled people living in Lower Makefield Township, which he believes is inaccurate. Mr. Rogers stated he drafted a proposed inquiry statement to be posted on the Board’s web site and The Township Channel 16 asking people to respond to bring the number of disabled people living in the municipality to a more accurate number. The Board discussed the content of the inquiry and made changes.

Ms. Huchler-Smith suggested the inquiry should be online to access. Mr. Rogers stated he felt people with these needs might not have access to computers or the Internet. Ms. Huchler-Smith suggested sending out the inquiry form in the Township Newsletter. The Board agreed to entitle the inquiry “fire safety form”, reduce the volume of it and take out all references to the Lower Makefield Township Neighborhood Watch.

Mr. Rogers stated he would contact Mr. Fedorchak via e-mail to ask him the deadline for the Township Newsletter and will redraft the fire safety form to fit the Township Channel 16. Ms. Harbison will draft an article for the Township Newsletter. Ms. Harbison suggested including the Board’s web-site address on all correspondence.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Ms. Harbison moved, Mr. McConville seconded and it was unanimously carried to approve the July 2004 meeting minutes with changes.

Disabled Persons Advisory Board – August 24, 2004

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OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Rogers stated he has not heard from Mr. Fedorchak regarding the Bexley Orchards Neighborhood Watch Association’s request to alter the stoplight on Big Oak Road.

The Board discussed inviting Mr. Jeff Werner from the Yardley News and the Yardley-Makefield Fire Marshall to the September meeting. Mr. Rogers stated he would call both people and invite them to the meeting.

Mr. Shanburg stated BCCID is one of seven counties to receive a Center for Independent Living from the state. He stated as BCCID is applying for the CIL, they are in need of letters of support stating a need for a center. He asked that the letters be sent to BCCID as soon as possible. Mr. Shanburg presented a fact sheet about Centers for Independent Living, noting that CIL’s have five objectives – independent living skills training, systems advocacy, individual advocacy, peer consulting and information and referral.

Ms. Piccinotti suggested visiting the Liberty Resources web site to see what they are doing. She stated Liberty is focusing on housing right now.

Mr. Shanburg talked about the importance of physical activity for disabled people and the importance of making more parks accessible to the disabled.

Mr. Rogers asked Ms. Harbison is she was able to get approval for a bookcase and binders to keep all of the reference materials the Board acquires. Ms. Harbison stated she did not get approval yet.

ADJOURNMENT

The Committee scheduled the next meeting for Tuesday, September 28th at 7:30 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa Huchler-Smith, Secretary