Rochester’s Facilities Director Andrew Daniel has accomplished what he set out to do nearly a year ago – to make Rochester facilities accessible to all; and there isn’t much else left to do in order for the municipal buildings of Rochester to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Aside from a couple narrow secondary doorways at Town Hall, Daniel told the Rochester Board of Selectmen on July 16, Rochester is now ADA compliant.
Daniel last year secured two ADA grants: one for $75,000 for the Town Hall and one for $25,000 for the Council on Aging Senior Center, and with much of the labor done in-house, Daniel was able to add in additional projects and still come in under budget.
In addition to the automatic door openers at both entrances at Town Hall and the COA, with leftover money Daniel was able to install one for the handicap ramp side door at the Plumb Library and inside the COA for the restrooms, as well.
“[The restroom door openers] were the most beneficial,” said Daniel “I see them being used every day.”
Daniel was also able to add in some ramp work at the library, and purchase a beach wheelchair for residents to borrow to make the beach accessible to all.
All the other planned projects have been completed, including the new accessible restroom at Town Hall, now placed next to the meeting room in space that was underutilized for some time, the audiovisual room that was installed in that same space near the new bathroom, and the widened doorways with automatic openers. Furthermore, all doorknobs have been replaced with levers for those with dexterity challenges, and handicap van parking spaces were added.
At the COA, the concrete walkway linking the rear exit to the parking lot is finished, and all doorways are now ADA compliant.
“It came out real nice,” said Daniel. “I’m very pleased with it.”
“You did a great job,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman Greenwood “Woody” Hartley. “We’re lucky you were able to do all that.” He continued, “I think the town needs to appreciate the fact that we’re closer [to total ADA compliance].”
Reimbursement for all the projects should be delivered to the Town in about six weeks, Daniel said.
Daniel said he’s now moved on to the next project: the installation of the Town Meeting-approved generator at the Town Hall, which should be completed by the middle of next week.
Daniel is also working with Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar on acquiring another grant for up to $100,000 for one substantial capital improvement project only open to Community Compact Agreement municipalities, of which Rochester is one, with a population of 7,000 or fewer.
The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for August 6 at 6:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.
Rochester Board of Selectmen
By Jean Perry