Tyngsborough Commission on Disability
The Town of Tyngsborough adopted Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40 Section 8J at Special Town Meeting on November 13, 2018. This allowed the Town to create a Commission on Disability. The Commission on Disability is a Select Board appointed Board whose members were first appointed in December of 2018.
The Commission on Disability is tasked with (1) researching local problems of people with disabilities; (2) advising and assisting municipal officials and employees in ensuring compliance with state and federal laws; (3) coordinating and carrying out programs designed to meet the problems of people with disabilities in coordination with programs of the Massachusetts Office on Disability; (4) reviewing and making recommendations about policies, procedures, services, activities, and facilities of departments, boards, and agencies of said city or town as they affect people with disabilities; (5) provide information, referrals, guidance and technical assistance to individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations in all matters pertaining to disability; and (6) coordinate activities of other local groups organized for similar purposes.
Below you can find a list of all current members and their terms.
| Board Member | Term |
| Paul Winchester, Chair | 2024 |
| Leanne Winchester, Vice Chair | 2025 |
| Rae Ann Jacek | 2024 |
| Richard Howe | 2026 |
| Karen Wolf, Clerk | 2026 |
| VACANT, Associate Member | 2024 |
To contact the Commission on Disability via phone, please call Katharine Foster in the Select Board’s Office at 978-743-5339.
Any member of the public wishing to attend any municipal meeting seeks special accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should contact Katharine Foster at 978-743-5339 or email [email protected]. While every attempt will be made to provide reasonable accommodations, requests should be made with as much advance notice as possible. Please note some requests, specifically for communication access support, may require 2 week notice beyond the control of the Town.
Meetings
The Commission on Disability generally meets on the second Monday of the month. Meetings take place at Town Hall, 25 Bryants Lane, Tyngsborough, MA 01879.
Resources
- Massachusetts Office on Disability
- Work Without Limits – Employment Resources
News & Updates
The Commission on Disability was awarded a $30,000 planning grant from the Massachusetts Office on Disability in 2020 to fund a comprehensive Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan. This document takes a comprehensive look at the accessibility of town programs, policies, and facilities. Formally adopting this review will open the Town up to further grant opportunities which can be used to fund projects that will improve accessibility issues identified in the report.
The Commission on Disability launched a 2 week public comment period beginning on February 22, 2021 and ending with a public hearing by the Commission on Monday. March 8, 2021. The Commission voted unanimously to recommend the adoption of the final report. Later that evening, the Select Board voted 5-0-0 to adopt the Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan. A copy of the final report can be found here.
Work will now begin to address the low cost barriers to accessibility and to plan for some of the more expensive barriers to be addressed through grant opportunities. Check back periodically for updates.
Important Documents
Commission on Disability Meeting Materials
Commission on Disability Meeting Minutes
Commission on Disability Committee Charge
Disability Commission Charge
As adopted by Town Meeting on November 13, 2018 and in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 8J
Charge (defined by MGL Chapter 40, Section 8J)
The Commission shall (1) research local problems of people with disabilities; (2) advise and assist municipal officials and employees in ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations that affect people with disabilities; (3) coordinate or carry out programs designed to meet the problems of people with disabilities in coordination with programs of the Massachusetts Office on Disability; (4) review and make recommendations about policies, procedures, services, activities and facilities of departments, boards and agencies of said city or town as they affect people with disabilities; (5) provide information, referrals, guidance and technical assistance to
individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations in all matters pertaining to disability; and (6) coordinate activities of other local groups organized for similar purposes.
Subject to Open Meeting Law
The Commission on Disability is, for all intents and purposes, a “public body” as defined by Open Meeting Law and as such is required to keep records of its meetings and actions and shall file an annual report which shall be printed in the annual report of the Town of Tyngsborough and shall have at least ten meetings annually. All meetings must be posted at least forty-eight hours in advance.
Membership
- 3 Members who are people with disabilities
- 1 Member who has a family member living with a disability
- 1 Appointed or Elected Official
*all members must be registered voters in the Town of Tyngsborough
Term of Membership
The term of the first members of said commission shall be for one, two or three years, and so arranged that the term of one third of the members expires each year, and their successor shall be appointed for terms of three years each.