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PRESS RELEASES
WAKEFIELD COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES ISSUES
PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 2010
The Wakefield Commission on Disabilities Issues (CDI) has finished its first phase of obtaining additional handicapped parking
spaces. Working for several months, members came up with a list of potential parking spaces in the shopping district. Working closely
with the Traffic Advisory Committee, DPW, and the Town Administrator, we recommended and got approved 4 additional spaces. They
have been approved by the Traffic Advisory Committee and subsequently approved by the Board of Selectman. You should shortly be
seeing the spaces at:
Water Street at the last diagonal space in front of Café Italia
Richardson St, at the corner of Main St.
Main St, a parallel space near Linden Tree Coffeehouse
Lincoln St on left side near Bank of America side lot.
One space inside the Municipal parking lot at Water St and Main St has been eliminated. Previously a space was approved, and is
currently being used, at the corner of Albion St and Foster St (in front of the Daily Item building). Members and Committees working
together for the benefit of the Town, the disabled community, and business district have made this possible. Our next phase is to
integrate all spaces in the DPW computer mapping system. The final phase is to produce an updated listing of all municipal spaces and
add to our brochure and a future press release.
We are adding resources and information to our web site at www.wakefieldcdi.com . For instance, we are aware of a gentleman from
Winthrop, who is also on the Winthrop Commission on Disabilities Issues. Jonathan Rodis specializes in helping people get approved for
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income. The service is provided free of charge! By the way, our web site is handling a
tremendous amount of inquiries, as well as people searching for resources, etc, that we offer on the site.
Did you know that it is illegal, in Massachusetts, to park in the striped spaces in between handicapped spaces? They are there to
assist people getting in and out of vehicles. Were you also aware that there is no parking in a handicapped space during the winter
parking ban? Also, if you have a legal handicapped placard, or license plate, you are allowed to park free, at a parking meter. Be aware,
this does not apply to parking spots with timed restrictions, just meters.
We have worked with disabled residents and DPW personnel, to add crosswalks and curb cuts to Franklin St (after the school and
bend as you head toward Main St.). Beside the four families that can use the crosswalks for safety purposes, Superintendent of Schools
Joan Landers has been involved, due to the large number of students who walk to and from high school and Middle school. Construction
work is starting soon.
We have asked the Town Administrator to respond to the need for handicapped parking during town events (Italian Festival, etc.).
Mr. Maio quickly told us that in future events, the Town Event Committee, would plan for, and publicize, where the disabled community
can park when streets are closed for parking. This will help the disabled to partake in the festivities. We will also be approaching the BOS
to insure there are adequate spaces when they approve Lake events. Many people are unaware there are 7 handicapped spaces in the
Town hall parking lot that can be utilized for weekend and holiday events.
We are scheduled for another meeting on October 4, 2010. The meeting will be at 7 PM, in the first floor conference room, at Town
Hall. The public is always invited.
PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 2010
The Wakefield Commission on Disabilities Issues (CDI) has finished its first phase of obtaining additional handicapped parking
spaces. Working for several months, members came up with a list of potential parking spaces in the shopping district. Working closely
with the Traffic Advisory Committee, DPW, and the Town Administrator, we recommended and got approved 4 additional spaces. They
have been approved by the Traffic Advisory Committee and subsequently approved by the Board of Selectman. You should shortly be
seeing the spaces at:
Water Street at the last diagonal space in front of Café Italia
Richardson St, at the corner of Main St.
Main St, a parallel space near Linden Tree Coffeehouse
Lincoln St on left side near Bank of America side lot.
One space inside the Municipal parking lot at Water St and Main St has been eliminated. Previously a space was approved, and is
currently being used, at the corner of Albion St and Foster St (in front of the Daily Item building). Members and Committees working
together for the benefit of the Town, the disabled community, and business district have made this possible. Our next phase is to
integrate all spaces in the DPW computer mapping system. The final phase is to produce an updated listing of all municipal spaces and
add to our brochure and a future press release.
We are adding resources and information to our web site at www.wakefieldcdi.com . For instance, we are aware of a gentleman from
Winthrop, who is also on the Winthrop Commission on Disabilities Issues. Jonathan Rodis specializes in helping people get approved for
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income. The service is provided free of charge! By the way, our web site is handling a
tremendous amount of inquiries, as well as people searching for resources, etc, that we offer on the site.
Did you know that it is illegal, in Massachusetts, to park in the striped spaces in between handicapped spaces? They are there to
assist people getting in and out of vehicles. Were you also aware that there is no parking in a handicapped space during the winter
parking ban? Also, if you have a legal handicapped placard, or license plate, you are allowed to park free, at a parking meter. Be aware,
this does not apply to parking spots with timed restrictions, just meters.
We have worked with disabled residents and DPW personnel, to add crosswalks and curb cuts to Franklin St (after the school and
bend as you head toward Main St.). Beside the four families that can use the crosswalks for safety purposes, Superintendent of Schools
Joan Landers has been involved, due to the large number of students who walk to and from high school and Middle school. Construction
work is starting soon.
We have asked the Town Administrator to respond to the need for handicapped parking during town events (Italian Festival, etc.).
Mr. Maio quickly told us that in future events, the Town Event Committee, would plan for, and publicize, where the disabled community
can park when streets are closed for parking. This will help the disabled to partake in the festivities. We will also be approaching the BOS
to insure there are adequate spaces when they approve Lake events. Many people are unaware there are 7 handicapped spaces in the
Town hall parking lot that can be utilized for weekend and holiday events.
We are scheduled for another meeting on October 4, 2010. The meeting will be at 7 PM, in the first floor conference room, at Town
Hall. The public is always invited.
WAKEFIELD COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES ISSUES
PRESS RELEASE MAY 2010
The Wakefield Commission on Disabilities Issues (CDI) met recently and is diligently working on issues
to assist the disabled community. The recent water problems, where residents were instructed to boil water,
created several problems. The reverse 911 calls alerted most residents of the situation. If you were not
alerted, you should contact Fire Chief Mike Sullivan at 781-246-6435 to have your number enrolled. Over
200 people who did not get the call have signed up since the water problem. Disabled community members
should also get enrolled in the Emergency Preparedness Program. This will get you registered, and if there
is a town wide emergency, the Fire Dept will know that you are disabled and can contact you for assistance.
Chief Sullivan can assist you with the registration. It is private and in your best interest. The water
emergency created many problems for the disabled. Most towns and cities did not offer water. Deaf citizens
were unaware, The State officials held press conferences but did not offer sign language. Most citizens with
sight problems could not boil the water on their own, or get the water from distribution points. The Disability
Policy Consortium, an advocate for the disabled, has filed a complaint against the State for its performance
in the handling of the water problem and its inability to have a plan in place to assist the disabled in an
emergency.
Our chairman, Marc Luca, attended a regional meeting, in Arlington, of several Commissions.
Several speakers from State agencies spoke regarding potential legislative bills that can help and also hurt
the disabled community, and steps taken to improve awareness in the communities. Luca stated” many
ideas and situations were discussed, and I feel very confident that Wakefield is very well served, and CDI
does a great job of reaching the disabled citizens. Other towns do not have a website as we do (www.
wakefieldcdi.com ) and have a tough time dealing with their local government to get cooperation. That is not
the case in Wakefield. Schools, Town Hall administrators, Fire and Police, DPW are all friends of the CDI
and work with us, without animosity.”
CDI is also in the final stages of a plan to add more handicapped parking spaces within the business
districts. We will be meeting with the Traffic Advisory Committee, and then make recommendations to the
Board of Selectman. While we are aware of the tight parking conditions, we believe we have a plan that will
satisfy all aspects of the Town.
July 26th is the twentieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This act has been most
helpful to the disabled citizens of our country.
CDI next meets on June 7,at Town Hall’s first floor conference room. The meeting starts at 7 PM and the
public is always welcome.
PRESS RELEASE MAY 2010
The Wakefield Commission on Disabilities Issues (CDI) met recently and is diligently working on issues
to assist the disabled community. The recent water problems, where residents were instructed to boil water,
created several problems. The reverse 911 calls alerted most residents of the situation. If you were not
alerted, you should contact Fire Chief Mike Sullivan at 781-246-6435 to have your number enrolled. Over
200 people who did not get the call have signed up since the water problem. Disabled community members
should also get enrolled in the Emergency Preparedness Program. This will get you registered, and if there
is a town wide emergency, the Fire Dept will know that you are disabled and can contact you for assistance.
Chief Sullivan can assist you with the registration. It is private and in your best interest. The water
emergency created many problems for the disabled. Most towns and cities did not offer water. Deaf citizens
were unaware, The State officials held press conferences but did not offer sign language. Most citizens with
sight problems could not boil the water on their own, or get the water from distribution points. The Disability
Policy Consortium, an advocate for the disabled, has filed a complaint against the State for its performance
in the handling of the water problem and its inability to have a plan in place to assist the disabled in an
emergency.
Our chairman, Marc Luca, attended a regional meeting, in Arlington, of several Commissions.
Several speakers from State agencies spoke regarding potential legislative bills that can help and also hurt
the disabled community, and steps taken to improve awareness in the communities. Luca stated” many
ideas and situations were discussed, and I feel very confident that Wakefield is very well served, and CDI
does a great job of reaching the disabled citizens. Other towns do not have a website as we do (www.
wakefieldcdi.com ) and have a tough time dealing with their local government to get cooperation. That is not
the case in Wakefield. Schools, Town Hall administrators, Fire and Police, DPW are all friends of the CDI
and work with us, without animosity.”
CDI is also in the final stages of a plan to add more handicapped parking spaces within the business
districts. We will be meeting with the Traffic Advisory Committee, and then make recommendations to the
Board of Selectman. While we are aware of the tight parking conditions, we believe we have a plan that will
satisfy all aspects of the Town.
July 26th is the twentieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This act has been most
helpful to the disabled citizens of our country.
CDI next meets on June 7,at Town Hall’s first floor conference room. The meeting starts at 7 PM and the
public is always welcome.