[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6273479,"mediaKeyId","2999722-270bcdd6b05ccc0b2bda98e2350b3525","parentId",2999722,"title","Northampton Disability Commission backs ‘Trails for All’ bill and plans July disability‑pride film event","audioSeconds",505,"startMs",3708000,"endMs",4213000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2999722-270bcdd6b05ccc0b2bda98e2350b3525&start=3708&end=4213","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2999722-270bcdd6b05ccc0b2bda98e2350b3525/thumbnail_3708000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6273479/Massachusetts/Northampton-Disability-Commission-backs-Trails-for-All-bill-and-plans-July-disabilitypride-film-event","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273479-3552a1548c61e9675d9f8fd0b309ae71/orig.mp4?Expires=1770996777&Signature=iXYQoC2ZI-VtEFV-UXZ2zrqa~v4DN1Bve2IQdLw-6i7-KjLNf~lnMBGF5Iuqz1E9~b8Ik2OEtBhIW8xl6ojR~66VlI3hILMvL7up5SGj7HDafluOTpqiHxb7lXKGYsXq9E9spKSYsb5~t4tG6ud5LreOXdnKDfrRfwbEllHYzW74LsOGEK~8xG-SJbC8WG-h48gwdZxOzPW2Vs8fs7qJLhAALlzLxv~R7K4f-zVZuoJMP9kq3-KnifrVHcBxPbdMfostjJFLu82AFrRjr7cKUxUBpR7CIwXL2s71rOE-hgubnanJkl~8s4kDTn06XM718FWitaQfORqTfZooUn7u1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton City, MA","date","2025-04-16T02:53:08.71Z","article","The Northampton Disability Commission voted unanimously to send a letter of support for a Massachusetts bill known as Trails for All, which would codify a Trail Access Working Group, establish a permanent Trail Access Advisory Council and create a trail-access fund to make more unpaved trails accessible to people of all abilities.

“Most importantly, this legislation guarantees that those of us with lived experience of disability have an input and partnership role in making these necessary changes,” the draft letter reads. The Commission approved the prewritten letter and will sign on as the Northampton Disability Commission.

The bill’s aims, as summarized in the letter read to the Commission, include recognizing the existing Trail Access Working Group so the state must formally respond to its report; creating a permanent advisory council to provide a continuing public education and technical resource; and establishing a fund to pay for accessible-trail work and implementation. Meeting materials cited statewide figures presented by supporters: roughly 4,000 miles of soft-surface trails in state parks but only about 7.5 miles currently accessible; supporters also cited population cohorts (older adults, very young children and people with disabilities) who are underrepresented on accessible trails.

Kathy Murry moved to send the letter of support; Jenna Perna Elias seconded, and the Commission approved the motion by roll-call vote with all present voting yes. Commissioners also noted a public forum on this issue scheduled for May 8 at 6 p.m., hosted by the Trail Access Working Group.

Separately, the Commission discussed plans for a small, regional disability‑pride film series in July coordinated with Amherst and East Hampton commissions. Commissioners agreed to aim for a mid‑afternoon/early‑evening showing (roughly 4–6 p.m.) to be accessible for people who rely on daylight and transit. The group discussed accessibility requirements for screenings: audio description, captions, and American Sign Language, and looked for free or low‑cost venues; the Commission agreed to pursue audio-description options and to have a backup film if required accessibility supports cannot be secured for the preferred title.

The meeting included routine housekeeping: approval of the March 18 minutes with a small amendment (recording that Emma Cornwell’s noted personal experience at Lamont House occurred while she was a student). That minutes vote passed with one abstention recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Northampton Disability Commission | April 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Commission voted unanimously to send a letter supporting the statewide Trails for All bill to establish a permanent Trail Access Advisory Council and a trail-access fund; members also discussed a multi-town disability‑pride film series in July and accessibility requirements for screenings.","taxTitle","Northampton City, Hampshire County, Massachusetts","taxId",68541,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6273483,"Disability Commission approves revised Complete Streets A11 policy language",602,1913000,2515000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2999722-270bcdd6b05ccc0b2bda98e2350b3525&start=1913&end=2515","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2999722-270bcdd6b05ccc0b2bda98e2350b3525/thumbnail_1913000.jpg","/articles/6273483/Massachusetts/Disability-Commission-approves-revised-Complete-Streets-A11-policy-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273483-4697c4faf1c0c54348a1389e91ad1e4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770996777&Signature=nE9IYM0UatzwBvZ79U3N-MsUUDqXggwKD04lJ5x1i2cIlTRMQvfxF0v1ef~JFhxcgTX7hKAVD89ddmcRLpYeVA5J7h59tNNBDOEw9sUw2Y4AD-ATIlJWQfMCiPquNZE1NS4WaidS--PESxq6ik56dmh0HZdU6W8~MkvPUv0YLisESUgLWTzscpzAh50EJSua9wihdRuWeut5q0Gj7JbCD9WpY2i-RoBIzxYJW6fZU1HSHU6i9ocU9vhIjDiDsIf61r6rjvNG-qr5BRtCzC--DF3tJY6w55CkucZWVzeklSY6bFsEUI0L8mA06uu26LKmZmrE4XDgzE94Tpf1K9F8Yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton Disability Commission approved revisions to the Complete Streets policy’s A11 provision clarifying when mill-and-overlay street projects must include sidewalks and how exemptions will be handled.

The approved language requires sidewalks in mill-and-overlay projects in priority areas when right of way is available, when topography allows installation without significant retaining walls, and when sidewalks can be installed without altering drainage infrastructure. The policy allows exemptions for lack of right of way, topography, drainage or financial infeasibility; exemptions for dead-end streets under 500 linear feet or serving 10 or fewer lots may consider shared-street designs or other pedestrian-safety measures. The policy now requires presenting sidewalk-exemption proposals to the Transportation and Parking Commission and the Disability Commission for comment.

Court (staff) read the revised paragraph during the meeting and commissioners discussed minor wording and a typographical correction. After a motion to approve from Councilor Debs and a second from Emma Cornwell, the Commission conducted a roll-call vote that recorded unanimous support.

Commissioners said the final sentence — requiring that the Disability Commission be presented with exemption requests for comment — was crucial to ensure the Commission’s input on projects that could affect accessibility. No amendments were proposed at the vote, and commissioners thanked staff and outside stakeholders for the many meetings and revisions that led to the updated policy language.","Northampton’s Disability Commission voted unanimously to approve an updated A11 clause to the Complete Streets policy that clarifies when sidewalks must be included in mill-and-overlay projects and requires commissions be asked for comment on exemptions.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6273488,"Northampton commissioners say snow-ordinance enforcement has been minimal; committee to review changes",1235,404000,1639000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2999722-270bcdd6b05ccc0b2bda98e2350b3525&start=404&end=1639","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2999722-270bcdd6b05ccc0b2bda98e2350b3525/thumbnail_404000.jpg","/articles/6273488/Massachusetts/Northampton-commissioners-say-snow-ordinance-enforcement-has-been-minimal-committee-to-review-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273488-34b0e18c4354bea57f39fa2d7415eea7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770996777&Signature=fLQzNF4xQmBkZOcDnsldywXL~QB201D2TK9mMA5Xcpxy5yc6i27Zpokdt10gDbcCjZldaDu2GaNmQ3sFZZd0cY-5ohf6YRcglg3J4NZMvHVDSkZBBTI6vkWi4DjksPPK0J9J9mr-aWNeBIpMGRw3nN9dO1R5THS2oJsxL721uyB8PpbNHrFWm3SnVu3TiE-x0WGyV~LDASS-im35eEUIuZZ-fj~VzkcDtNBbx0XdrT9iLIMThqw-p7uHyJwe~x4i7LnOdkJkZ0DzSfavH47HeRQNqXlgaH5a5a4HvjXhRBeywh41Uv9jN4hcFyoilhY-tz40RIEhr0eJLEBmUPdeRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilor Debs told the Northampton Disability Commission that a city review found no civil fines issued under the city’s snow-removal ordinance in the past five years and that the Department of Public Works lacks the equipment it would need to take over routine sidewalk clearing.

The disclosure came during a Commission meeting where Debs summarized a March 24 special City Services meeting that included Chief of Police John Cartledge, DPW Director Donald Wascalia and City Attorney Alan Sewall. “It felt like as a disabled person that we’ve been… lied to for the past 5 years,” Debs said, describing the sense of betrayal when she learned no fines had been issued despite prior assurances that the ordinance was being enforced.

The meeting was convened to gather facts about how the city is implementing its snow ordinance and whether current practice makes the city compliant with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires municipalities to keep sidewalks accessible. Debs said Cartledge reported that police have received roughly 78 calls about uncleared sidewalks in the last five years; those calls have resulted in verbal warnings and outreach cards but no monetary fines.

Director Wascalia told the council the city owns two sidewalk tractors, that one is currently inoperable and that each machine costs on the order of $250,000. He said that, to have the capacity to clear the city’s sidewalks without shifting the burden entirely to property owners, the DPW would need roughly 10 to 12 sidewalk tractors plus staff to operate them. The DPW has explored private contractors but has not found vendors available after recent storms.

Commissioners and attendees discussed two parallel strands of work: enforcing the ordinance as written, and considering language changes to make enforcement easier or to allow city-assisted programs for residents who cannot clear sidewalks themselves. Councilor Debs said Councilor Moulton suggested the matter be sent to the Ordinance Review Committee; Debs was later elected chair of that committee and expects the topic to go through public outreach, surveys and a multi-stakeholder process before any ordinance change is proposed.

Commissioners emphasized the difference between information-gathering and formal policy change. Debs and several commissioners urged continued public involvement and suggested forming a small working group that includes public commissioners and residents to draft options for both stronger enforcement and new models of shared responsibility between property owners and city services.

Next steps noted at the meeting included referral of the enforcement question to the Ordinance Review Committee, possible creation of a cross‑sector work group, and continued public discussion at future Commission meetings and City Council committees. The Commission did not adopt any ordinance language at the meeting.","At a Disability Commission meeting, Councilor Debs said the police reported no fines for uncleared sidewalks in the last five years and DPW staff said the city lacks sidewalk tractors; the issue will be referred to the Ordinance Review Committee and a work group is expected to develop options for enforcement and ordinance changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Northampton Disability Commission backs ‘Trails for All’ bill and plans July disability‑pride film event

Disability Commission approves revised Complete Streets A11 policy language

Northampton commissioners say snow-ordinance enforcement has been minimal; committee to review changes