Handicapped-accessible parking spaces installed at Stafford Town Hall

May 12—STAFFORD — Following criticism from some local residents who've organized on social media, officials have installed the first handicapped-accessible spaces in the Town Hall parking lot.

First Selectwoman Mary Mitta said she also plans to move board and commission meetings to Staffordville School, which is more accessible than Town Hall, when it comes under town ownership after a planned closure this year.

ACCESSIBILITY

CHANGES: Two handicap parking spots

PLANS: Meetings and some offices moved to Staffordville School

CRITICISM: More modifications needed, including accessible bathrooms

But Dianne Bilyak, who founded Accessible Stafford, a group that advocates for greater accessibility at Town Hall and has established a fund to raise money for such projects, said officials should be doing more.

In an interview with the Journal Inquirer, Mitta, Building Official Glenn Setzler, and Zoning Enforcement Officer David Perkins said the town has worked toward enhancing accessibility at municipal facilities, including Town Hall, but that budgetary and logistical constraints have prevented them from implementing larger changes including new bathrooms and an elevator. The town applied for, but was denied, a $1 million state grant last year to fund those changes.

Setzler further pointed to language in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act stating that municipalities must "operate each service, program, or activity so that service, program, or activity, when viewed in its entirety, is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities" but are not "necessarily required ... to make each of its existing facilities accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities." While the upper floors of Town Hall are not accessible to those who use wheelchairs or who have other mobility issues preventing them from climbing stairs, Mitta said the town is in compliance because there is a wheelchair-accessible first-floor entrance, and those who enter the first floor are able to request officials with upper-floor offices meet with them on the first floor.

Mitta also said the town is careful to hold meetings and other programs either on the first floor of Town Hall or at fully accessible facilities such as the Senior Center. She said she would like the Staffordville School to become a new meeting place for boards and commissions, as well as a home to some offices in Town Hall, if it comes under the ownership of the town. The Board of Education voted to include the closure of the school in its fiscal year 2021-22 budget. If the budget were approved without that portion being amended, the building would come under the town's province.

"We've always accommodated people for what they've needed," Mitta said.

Bilyak, however, said the town never should have applied for the state grant last year and should have instead invested the money used for the architectural design work on the grant application to make the necessary improvements. Invoices for the work show that it cost about $30,000.

Additionally, Bilyak said, the town should modify its first-floor bathrooms, making one fully accessible by lowering sinks, mirrors, and paper towel dispensers. The wheelchair-accessible door to Town Hall should also include a button that allows it to open automatically, she said, and the signage noting that upper-floor offices can be reached by phone should be more prominent.

"What's the harm in making things easier for people and allowing them to have the same equality as everyone else, law or not," she said, adding that she and others from Accessible Stafford have filed complaints with the federal government over what they see as a lack of appropriate accommodations at Town Hall.

Gene Julian, a Stafford resident, told the Journal Inquirer that he said he believes the changes, including the new handicapped-accessible parking spaces, are a result of Bilyak's advocacy. He said he is now satisfied with the town's approach and does not believe they should make more costly changes such as adding an elevator to the building.

"Having a door, signage, and parking area is all that's needed," he said, as long as officials on the upper floors come downstairs to meet with residents. He said spending $1 million in state money for other improvements "would've been a horrible, colossal waste," and he said he is glad the town did not receive the grant.

Accessible Stafford has established an online fundraiser to help pay for further changes to Town Hall, and Bilyak said she plans to continue raising money in hopes to eventually come to an agreement that would allow her to disperse the funds to the town. The fundraiser currently has about $1,200 and can be found here

www.gofundme.com/f/help-fund-ada-requirements-stafford-town-hall

For updates and coverage of Vernon and Stafford, follow Anthony Branciforte on Twitter: @ABranciforte_JI, Facebook: Reporter Anthony Branciforte, and Instagram: @JI_Anthony1.

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