DALTON, Mass. — Solutions are being sought for the lift in Town Hall that has been out of service since December because of safety concerns. 

 

Building Grounds Superintendent Jeff Burch told the Americans with Disabilities Act Committee meeting on Tuesday night that Hill Engineering has been contracted to come up with a potential option.

 

The lift is in the police station and the only other lift for the town hall is in the library, which is not accessible after library hours. 

 

Previous attempts by Garaventa Lift to repair it have been unsuccessful. 

 

Replacing it in the same location is not an option because the new weight limit requirement went from 400 pounds to 650 pounds. Determining whether the current railings can hold 650 pounds is outside the scope of Garaventa's services to the town. 

 

The first option Hill has proposed is to install a vertical lift in a storage closet to the left of the police entrance, which would go up into the town account's office. 

 

A member of the committee expressed concern that the current office location may not be suitable as it could hinder access to the police station during construction. 

 

Additionally, once installed, the office would not be usable by the police as it would not be located on the same floor level.

 

Due to the scope of work, this design is likely to be expensive. Since the Town Hall is an old building, asbestos abatement would likely be necessary because some walls would have to be reconfigured. 

 

Committee member David Wasielewski asked if Hill Engineering could consider installing an elevator on the outside of the Town Hall, similar to what Pittsfield did to one of its buildings. 

 

"Pittsfield had a building that needed an elevator and they kind of stuck it on the outside. They didn't put it in the building. They stuck on the outside because they could they could dig down and go all the way up," Wasielewski said.

 

The prospect of adding an elevator was included in one of the Town Hall renovation designs but was removed when the Select Board voted to minimize the project's scope to reduce spending.

 

The wireless doorbell to inform library staff when a wheelchair user needs assistance gaining access to the building has been installed, Burch said. 

 

During its previous meeting, the committee approved the purchase of the doorbell since there isn't an automatic door system on the inside door. The system cost approximately $40. 

 

Two were installed, one outside on the ramp at the building's entrance and another on the inner entrance. 

 

ADA coordinator Alyssa Maschino informed the board that the state Office of Disability said the accessible picnic tables would arrive on June 30 

 

However, this is too late because the Municipal ADA Improvement Grant, which covers the cost of the tables, requires that the project be completed by June 30. 

 

The committee was approved for the grant in the amount of $6,414.31, which will cover the cost of seven accessible picnic tables, two at each of the three town parks and one at the library. 

 

Maschino is in the process of working with Massachusetts Correctional Industries to have them expedite the table's deliveries. 

 

She will work with Department of Public Works Superintendent Edward "Bud" Hall to decide the best locations to place the tables. 

 

ADA Committee member Lyn Clements recommended they consider installing the tables in a shaded area because wheelchairs get hotter in the sun.