Disability Access Advisory Committee Becomes a Commission
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Report on the Meeting of the Amherst Town Council, May 20, 2024, Part 2
This was a hybrid meeting that was recorded. It can be viewed here.
Present
Lynn Griesemer (President, District 2), Mandi Jo Hanneke, Andy Steinberg, Ellisha Walker (at large), Freke Ette and Cathy Schoen (District 1), Pat DeAngelis (District 2), George Ryan (District 3), Pam Rooney and Jennifer Taub (District 4), Ana Devlin Gauthier and Bob Hegner (District 5). Hala Lord (District 3) was absent
Staff: Paul Bockelman (Town Manager) and Athena O’Keeffe (Clerk of the Council)
The council passed several proclamations as part of the consent agenda. Councilors also voted unanimously to make the Disability Access Advisory Committee (DAAC) a commission.
Disability Access Advisory Committee (DAAC) Becomes a Commission
DAAC member Myra Ross and Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Director Pamela Nolan Young came before the council to request that the status of the committee be changed to a commission, as it is in more than half the municipalities in the state. The DAAC voted 6-0 in January to pursue this option.
In arguing for the change, Ross stated, “The primary reason for this request is that a ‘committee’ is a temporary body charged with a particular task. A commission, on the other hand, is a permanent, standing board of the town, charged with many tasks. The DAAC has been an important entity, impacting the quality of life for people with disabilities in Amherst in multiple ways for more than 30 years, essentially a commission, without the name. Commissions on Disability are permitted to accept private donations, and also appropriations from municipalities toward projects that benefit people with disabilities. If the council were also to adopt MGLC 40 Section 22G, the new Amherst Commission on Disability would also be entitled to the funds raised from handicap parking violations.”
Councilor Mandi Jo Hanneke (at large) noted that most of the funds raised from handicap parking violations would go to capital improvements for those with disabilities, but she questioned why the proposal omitted part of the state statute. Young said she would review the charge for the commission.
The council voted unanimously to dissolve the DAAC and create the Amherst Commission on Disabilities.
June Is Pride Month
June was proclaimed to be LGBTQ+ month, according to a proclamation sponsored by Pat DeAngelis, Ana Devlin Gauthier, and Mandi Jo Hanneke. The Pride flag will be raised on June 1 and will fly at Town Hall for the month. The full proclamation will be read on June 13 at 3 p.m. Devlin Gauthier read several portions of the proclamation:
WHEREAS, Amherst recognizes the important contributions of its LGBTQ+ residents to the Town’s history, culture, economy, and civic life; and
WHEREAS, we affirm our support for our LGBTQ+ residents, including our youth, and stand with them to protect their civil rights and ability to live openly without fear.
NOW, THEREFORE, we the Amherst Town Council do hereby proclaim June, 2024 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED, we, the Amherst Town Council encourage all residents to celebrate and affirm our proud and diverse LGBTQ+ community year-round.
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED, this proclamation will be recognized by raising the Progress Pride flag from June 1 to June 30, 2024 with a formal flag raising celebration and proclamation reading on June 13th at 3:00 pm to coincide with the Amherst Celebration of Queer Identity and Progress.
Race Amity Day Celebration on June 9
Griesemer, DeAngelis, and Freke Ette, along with Citizens for Race Amity Now!, sponsored the 2024 Race Amity Day Proclamation. Race Amity Day will be celebrated on Sunday, June 9 at Mill River Recreation Area with a basketball tournament, a picnic lunch, reading of the proclamation, and awarding of the Local Youth Hero awards. Information about the program is available here.
DeAngelis read the final paragraph of the proclamation:
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Amherst Town Council hereby proclaim Sunday, June 9th, 2024 to be Race Amity Day: A Celebration of the Oneness of the Human Family, and ask the community to join in a joint celebration with the Human Rights Commission at Mill River Recreation Area on June 9th, 2024, for a picnic at noon, followed by the program for Race Amity Day and Youth Hero Awards
Race Amity Day has been celebrated in Amherst since 2015.
Proclamation to Celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the South Amherst Congregational Church
The South Amherst Congregational Church, United Church of Christ is celebrating its 200th anniversary, and the Town Council’s proclamation celebrates the church and its contributions to South Amherst. The proclamation was sponsored by Griesemer, Ette, Devlin Gauthier, and Bob Hegner.
Griesemer read:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, we, the Amherst Town Council, do hereby commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the South Congregational Church, Amherst, and thank the members and friends of South Congregational Church, Amherst, for their many contributions to the Community; and urge other residents to celebrate this milestone in the history of South Congregational Church, Amherst, and our Town
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