Public Comment

Transcript (~5 min @ 1:02:16)

Speakers identified by voice; unnamed voices are numbered within this recording. Auto-caption text — verify against the video.

▶ 1:02:11 Christopher Cinella: this meeting is now in session if there is no objection I would like to approve um our minutes without reading into the record from june 7th and the special meeting from june 14th seeing no objection those minutes are now approved and if there is no objection i would like to open the floor for public comment both virtually and live if anybody wishes to speak please come on up to the center table and if you could state your name address so good evening

▶ 1:02:49 Speaker 7: my name is david hoff 46 warwick road i am here in my role as chair of the city commission on disability on behalf of the commission i want to express our strong support for the proposed 200 000 in funding for a universally accessible playground at veterans park on warren street we want to thank superintendent joan bell and mayor broder for the support of this initiative as well as the members of the appropriations committee who approved this funding unanimously and we would like to urge the council to vote in favor of this funding which i believe you is up on the agenda this evening so just let me have a few quick comments if i will about the importance of a universal universally accessible playground a universally accessible playground is very much needed here in melrose currently individuals with disabilities and their families must travel to other cities and towns in order to enjoy a facility that is fully accessible this exclusion of people with disabilities from our community is simply unacceptable. Individual disabilities will obviously benefit from this proposed facility in terms of convenient opportunities for exercise and recreation, and the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the need for universally accessible recreational activities to maintain health and fitness for all. However, it is important to recognize this is not simply about children and adults with disabilities. This is about having one community that is not only open to all but inclusive of all in my three decades working professionally as an advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities in our communities I have seen the negative impact of segregating individuals with disabilities from their friends from their peers and their communities it obviously impacts the lives of people with disabilities in terms of having the same opportunities as others in their community or the lack thereof however lack of accessible facilities and programs impacts all members of the community in terms of creating misperceptions of people with disabilities and limiting opportunities for community members to develop relationships with people with disabilities as friends and neighbors in my experience the greatest awareness of the capabilities of people with disabilities occurs when people get to spend time with them individually and get to know them not as that person with a disability but as Laura or John just another friend neighbor or co-worker and And a universally accessible playground provides a tremendous opportunity for children with and without disabilities to play together starting at a very young age, developing friendships and relationships. And for children without disabilities, it results in them seeing children with disabilities as just another playmate, another kid who likes to have fun. Long-term benefits of this cannot be underestimated in terms of developing an attitude of inclusiveness, empathy, fairness, and equality starting at a young age. I'd like to end on this note. We have elected the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City to make determinations regarding how our tax dollars are spent. You very much have the right to specify the purposes for which funds are to be used. We are pleased to see the efforts to allocate funds to ensure our parks and recreational activities are fully equitable and inclusive not only for those with disabilities but also for girls and women and older adults. On behalf of the Commission on Disability, I want to express our strong opposition to any efforts to use these funds for purposes other than those specified we appreciate your support for developing the city's first fully accessible playground and maintaining the use of funds as intended the commission looks forward to working with the city on the development of this much needed universal playground space thank you for the opportunity thank you mr huff do we have

▶ 1:06:30 Speaker 2: anybody um in the virtual world one individual if you're in the room and would like to speak could

▶ 1:06:37 Speaker 2: YOU RAISE YOUR DIGITAL HAND THEY HAVE THE INATTENTION NOTICE ANYONE I DON'T THINK THEY'RE

▶ 1:06:42 Christopher Cinella: THEY'RE NOT RAISING THEIR HAND NOT RAISING THEIR HAND ANYBODY ELSE ANYBODY ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK

▶ 1:06:46 Robb Stewart: IN PERSON SEEING NONE WITHOUT MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT SECOND USING AM'S CONSENT WITHOUT

▶ 1:06:49 Christopher Cinella: OBJECTION WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT THANK YOU UM DO WE HAVE ANY COMMUNICATIONS FROM HIS HONOR

▶ 1:06:56 Speaker 2: WE HAVE ORDER 2021-155 APPOINTMENT OF LINDSEY TOGHILL TO THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION said term to end on the last day of february 2024. all right that'll go to health education and