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WAKEFIELD COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES ISSUES
PRESS RELEASE MARCH 2008
The Wakefield Commission on Disabilities Issues (CDI) met this month, at Town Hall. We have
spent much time updating our Website: www.wakefieldcdi.com. You can find several resources for
the disabled community, including job listings, contacts, and opportunities for the disabled. We have
been in recent contact with Melrose Drug Center. They are a supplier of walkers, wheelchairs,
diabetic shoes, post surgical supplies, and other items, including unusual gifts. They deliver and
ship, and offer Medicare Billing Services. They are open 7 days a week. They are at 462 Main St,
Melrose. Phone number is 781-665-7400,or you can visit their website at www.melrosedrug.com.
We have also been working towards participation at the WHS Job Fair. The job fair took place in the
Field House on March 26. The CDI was involved because we felt that there are several SPED
students that are of working age that could visit a booth and interview for potential jobs. Cindy Lyons
of TSB coordinated the Fair with the school, The Career Place, and the companies who
participated. Besides helping in the process, the CDI donated all the refreshments for the
participants. We observed several students from SPED, as well as their school mates, participate.
The Teaching Staff spent time to prepare the students to properly complete their resumes,
applications, how to communicate, shake hands, and ask questions. We are sure the students
learned about the companies and possible job opportunities. Special thanks to Supt of Schools Joan
Landers who assisted, who is also a member of CDI. You can visit our website and see pictures of
the Fair. Participating companies were Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, Land-Pro Inc, Lord Wakefield
Hotel, REI, RE/MAX Heritage, Home Depot, US Airways Express, and Wakefield Co-operative Bank.
CDI Chairman Marc Luca stated, "I was surprised at all the coordination that took place, not only by
the business people, but the excellent staff at the school, who not only helped prepare the students,
but actually walked with the students to provide assistance." One of our members, Lois Jarema,
was there from 8:30 AM until the Fair ended.
Due to conflicting schedules and Town Meeting, our April meeting is postponed. Our next meeting is
May 5, at 7 PM at the second floor conference room at Town Hall. The public is always welcome.
PRESS RELEASE MARCH 2008
The Wakefield Commission on Disabilities Issues (CDI) met this month, at Town Hall. We have
spent much time updating our Website: www.wakefieldcdi.com. You can find several resources for
the disabled community, including job listings, contacts, and opportunities for the disabled. We have
been in recent contact with Melrose Drug Center. They are a supplier of walkers, wheelchairs,
diabetic shoes, post surgical supplies, and other items, including unusual gifts. They deliver and
ship, and offer Medicare Billing Services. They are open 7 days a week. They are at 462 Main St,
Melrose. Phone number is 781-665-7400,or you can visit their website at www.melrosedrug.com.
We have also been working towards participation at the WHS Job Fair. The job fair took place in the
Field House on March 26. The CDI was involved because we felt that there are several SPED
students that are of working age that could visit a booth and interview for potential jobs. Cindy Lyons
of TSB coordinated the Fair with the school, The Career Place, and the companies who
participated. Besides helping in the process, the CDI donated all the refreshments for the
participants. We observed several students from SPED, as well as their school mates, participate.
The Teaching Staff spent time to prepare the students to properly complete their resumes,
applications, how to communicate, shake hands, and ask questions. We are sure the students
learned about the companies and possible job opportunities. Special thanks to Supt of Schools Joan
Landers who assisted, who is also a member of CDI. You can visit our website and see pictures of
the Fair. Participating companies were Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, Land-Pro Inc, Lord Wakefield
Hotel, REI, RE/MAX Heritage, Home Depot, US Airways Express, and Wakefield Co-operative Bank.
CDI Chairman Marc Luca stated, "I was surprised at all the coordination that took place, not only by
the business people, but the excellent staff at the school, who not only helped prepare the students,
but actually walked with the students to provide assistance." One of our members, Lois Jarema,
was there from 8:30 AM until the Fair ended.
Due to conflicting schedules and Town Meeting, our April meeting is postponed. Our next meeting is
May 5, at 7 PM at the second floor conference room at Town Hall. The public is always welcome.
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WAKEFIELD COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES ISSUES
PRESS RELEASE FEBRUARY 2008
The Commission recently elected new officers to the Board. Marc Luca was selected as Chair,
Phyllis Pearl-Baxter as Secretary and Warren Magoon as Treasurer. Luca stated ”The Commission
will be forever grateful to Warren for picking up the pieces, building the Commission back to its
original intent, and providing leadership and foresight, all for the benefit of the Disabled
Community. To bring the commission in to the Twenty-First Century involved the development of a
very useful Web Site that is not only informative, but user friendly.”
Several projects were discussed. The CDI is now actively involved with assisting in the WHS
student job fair. We were introduced to Cindy Lyons, and employee of The Savings Bank, who last
year helped coordinate the first job fair. This year’s fair will be in March, and the intent is to bring
businesses in to the high school and meet students who could become full or part time employees.
Interviews are arranged, and business personnel operate the booths to talk and answer student
questions. This year, the CDI is involved in trying to expand the base of businesses that will
participate. SPED students will also be attending, and we hope they will gain the same exposure
and experience that other students and businesses had. Any local businesses that did not
participate last year, and would like to participate this year, should contact Cindy, at TSB (781-224-
6331, by email at clyons@tsbawake24.com) or send an email to the CDI website www.wakefieldcdi.
com.
We have also been active with snow removal situations in the downtown area. As you may be
aware, a town bylaw specifies that many businesses in the downtown business area must remove
snow within twelve hours of the snowfall. Several businesses were not complying, and as a result,
many disabled community members could not find cleaned spaces, sidewalks and curb openings.
Thanks to the efforts of the Police Dept., the DPW, and business owners, we have seen a great
improvement in snow removal. If you see a problem in the future, contact us at our web site.
Businesses such as Eastern Bank, Lubies Jewelry, CVS, Walgreen’s, and the Farmland have made
sure that the handicapped spaces have been cleared, and the sidewalks and walkways near the
spaces have been cleared.
We remind citizens that Fire Chief Parr has put together an emergency preparedness list. If you or
a family member, or friend, are disabled, you should sign up for the list. If there is an immediate fire,
or town wide emergency, the Fire dept will know where the citizens are that need the most help.
This is a free service, and is strictly private. You can contact Chief Parr at 781–246-6435 X 310, or
fill out the form on our website.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency announced that a phone number previously
established to connect commonwealth residents with health and human services will now serve as
the primary information line for people during times of emergency. Dialing 2-1-1 will connect callers
with disaster information, post-disaster resources, interpreter services, and rumor control during
times of statewide crisis - whenever the State Emergency Operations Center in Framingham is
activated. Operators at 2-1-1 will also be able to track caller locations. It operates Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. To 8 p.m., and is operates 24 hours a day during emergencies.
The Commission meets monthly (usually the first Monday of each month). Our next meeting is
March 3. We meet at Town Hall, in the second floor conference room. The meetings are open to
the public, and start at 7 PM.
PRESS RELEASE FEBRUARY 2008
The Commission recently elected new officers to the Board. Marc Luca was selected as Chair,
Phyllis Pearl-Baxter as Secretary and Warren Magoon as Treasurer. Luca stated ”The Commission
will be forever grateful to Warren for picking up the pieces, building the Commission back to its
original intent, and providing leadership and foresight, all for the benefit of the Disabled
Community. To bring the commission in to the Twenty-First Century involved the development of a
very useful Web Site that is not only informative, but user friendly.”
Several projects were discussed. The CDI is now actively involved with assisting in the WHS
student job fair. We were introduced to Cindy Lyons, and employee of The Savings Bank, who last
year helped coordinate the first job fair. This year’s fair will be in March, and the intent is to bring
businesses in to the high school and meet students who could become full or part time employees.
Interviews are arranged, and business personnel operate the booths to talk and answer student
questions. This year, the CDI is involved in trying to expand the base of businesses that will
participate. SPED students will also be attending, and we hope they will gain the same exposure
and experience that other students and businesses had. Any local businesses that did not
participate last year, and would like to participate this year, should contact Cindy, at TSB (781-224-
6331, by email at clyons@tsbawake24.com) or send an email to the CDI website www.wakefieldcdi.
com.
We have also been active with snow removal situations in the downtown area. As you may be
aware, a town bylaw specifies that many businesses in the downtown business area must remove
snow within twelve hours of the snowfall. Several businesses were not complying, and as a result,
many disabled community members could not find cleaned spaces, sidewalks and curb openings.
Thanks to the efforts of the Police Dept., the DPW, and business owners, we have seen a great
improvement in snow removal. If you see a problem in the future, contact us at our web site.
Businesses such as Eastern Bank, Lubies Jewelry, CVS, Walgreen’s, and the Farmland have made
sure that the handicapped spaces have been cleared, and the sidewalks and walkways near the
spaces have been cleared.
We remind citizens that Fire Chief Parr has put together an emergency preparedness list. If you or
a family member, or friend, are disabled, you should sign up for the list. If there is an immediate fire,
or town wide emergency, the Fire dept will know where the citizens are that need the most help.
This is a free service, and is strictly private. You can contact Chief Parr at 781–246-6435 X 310, or
fill out the form on our website.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency announced that a phone number previously
established to connect commonwealth residents with health and human services will now serve as
the primary information line for people during times of emergency. Dialing 2-1-1 will connect callers
with disaster information, post-disaster resources, interpreter services, and rumor control during
times of statewide crisis - whenever the State Emergency Operations Center in Framingham is
activated. Operators at 2-1-1 will also be able to track caller locations. It operates Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. To 8 p.m., and is operates 24 hours a day during emergencies.
The Commission meets monthly (usually the first Monday of each month). Our next meeting is
March 3. We meet at Town Hall, in the second floor conference room. The meetings are open to
the public, and start at 7 PM.
PRESS RELEASES
WAKEFIELD COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES ISSUES
PRESS RELEASE JUNE 2008
The Wakefield Commission on Disabilities Issues (CDI) met in June and wrapped up a successful year of
activity. Chairman Marc Luca stated, "We tackled many issues for the disabled community and I am proud of
the work performed by the CDI, and I hope the community is as proud.”
In the past several months, the CDI has been involved in funding the chirping signals at the Main St and
Water St crosswalk, assisting handicapped people with access problems, elevator repair, moving an MBTA
bus stop to aide a visually impaired person, numerous conversations with private companies to increase
handicapped parking, and found several new resources for equipment and work opportunities. We have
updated our Website www.wakefieldcdi.com to help find these resources, and have made it more user
friendly. We have added several links to help the disabled community. The CDI has worked with the School
Department and have been involved in the recent WHS Job Fair, which made it possible for all students,
including SPED students, to meet with potential employers.
The CDI continues to get exceptional support from the DPW, Police and Fire Chief. As an example we
recently received a request to find a handicapped spot for citizens that wanted to visit Vets Field. With all the
dredging taking place, the parking lot was off limits to parking. We asked Rick Stinson, the Director of the
DPW and he immediately added a handicapped space in the parking lot adjacent to Hall Park and the
Cemetery. Police Chief Rick Smith has beefed up enforcement of illegally parked vehicles in handicapped
spaces. Fire Chief David Parr continues to enroll more disabled people in the Emergency Preparedness
Program (see Website). These three gentlemen have gone above and beyond to help the Commission and
their efforts are appreciated, and should be recognized.
We continue to look for new resources and ways to improve access and information for the disabled. We
recently have received information on a group called Acoustic Neuroma Association. There will be a link to
their Website www.ANAUSA.org on our site. AN is a benign tissue growth that arises on a nerve leading
from the brain to the inner ear. Many suffer visible signs, but even more have invisible signs that affect
hearing loss and tinnitus.
We continue to look at all grant possibilities, as well as ways to fund equipment for the Schools, Senior
Center and Library. Access is very important to us, and we continue to work with the town to insure
downtown businesses are doing their part to remove snow and ice. Look for improved parking and access in
the newly paved areas of Centre St and the CVS parking lots.
Chairman Luca stated, “ I am most proud of the members of the commission. Not only do they put in many
hours, and with a tremendous amount of passion, but most members have been on the commission for
several years.”
The Commission will not be meeting during the summer. Their next meeting is September 8, at 7 PM at
Town Hall, in the second floor conference room. The public is always invited.
PRESS RELEASE JUNE 2008
The Wakefield Commission on Disabilities Issues (CDI) met in June and wrapped up a successful year of
activity. Chairman Marc Luca stated, "We tackled many issues for the disabled community and I am proud of
the work performed by the CDI, and I hope the community is as proud.”
In the past several months, the CDI has been involved in funding the chirping signals at the Main St and
Water St crosswalk, assisting handicapped people with access problems, elevator repair, moving an MBTA
bus stop to aide a visually impaired person, numerous conversations with private companies to increase
handicapped parking, and found several new resources for equipment and work opportunities. We have
updated our Website www.wakefieldcdi.com to help find these resources, and have made it more user
friendly. We have added several links to help the disabled community. The CDI has worked with the School
Department and have been involved in the recent WHS Job Fair, which made it possible for all students,
including SPED students, to meet with potential employers.
The CDI continues to get exceptional support from the DPW, Police and Fire Chief. As an example we
recently received a request to find a handicapped spot for citizens that wanted to visit Vets Field. With all the
dredging taking place, the parking lot was off limits to parking. We asked Rick Stinson, the Director of the
DPW and he immediately added a handicapped space in the parking lot adjacent to Hall Park and the
Cemetery. Police Chief Rick Smith has beefed up enforcement of illegally parked vehicles in handicapped
spaces. Fire Chief David Parr continues to enroll more disabled people in the Emergency Preparedness
Program (see Website). These three gentlemen have gone above and beyond to help the Commission and
their efforts are appreciated, and should be recognized.
We continue to look for new resources and ways to improve access and information for the disabled. We
recently have received information on a group called Acoustic Neuroma Association. There will be a link to
their Website www.ANAUSA.org on our site. AN is a benign tissue growth that arises on a nerve leading
from the brain to the inner ear. Many suffer visible signs, but even more have invisible signs that affect
hearing loss and tinnitus.
We continue to look at all grant possibilities, as well as ways to fund equipment for the Schools, Senior
Center and Library. Access is very important to us, and we continue to work with the town to insure
downtown businesses are doing their part to remove snow and ice. Look for improved parking and access in
the newly paved areas of Centre St and the CVS parking lots.
Chairman Luca stated, “ I am most proud of the members of the commission. Not only do they put in many
hours, and with a tremendous amount of passion, but most members have been on the commission for
several years.”
The Commission will not be meeting during the summer. Their next meeting is September 8, at 7 PM at
Town Hall, in the second floor conference room. The public is always invited.