The purpose of this chapter is to establish the Brookline Commission on Disability (the "Commission") under the Town of Brookline's General By-laws, and to establish principles and procedures for the governance of the Commission. The purpose of the Commission is to bring about the integration and participation of people with disabilities in the Town of Brookline in coordination with programs of the Massachusetts Office on Disability. The Commission shall work in conjunction with the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations for purposes of resource allocation and administrative support. The Town's ADA Coordinator, a staff position located within the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations, shall be an ex officio member of the Commission, shall attend Commission meetings and shall serve as the primary conduit of communication with the Town of Brookline's Chief Diversity Officer.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
For the purpose of this by-law mean the plural of "person with a disability."
Any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment.
[Amended 11-18-2025 STM by Art. 4]
The Commission on Disability as established under MGL c. 40, § 8J, shall perform and discharge all of the powers and duties set forth in said § 8J. These powers and duties include:
A.
Research local problems of people with disabilities;
B.
Advise and assist municipal officials and employees in ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations that affect people with disabilities;
C.
Coordinate or carry out programs designed to meet the problems of people with disabilities in coordination with programs of the Massachusetts Office on Disability;
D.
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;
E.
Provide information, referrals, guidance and technical assistance to individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations in all matters pertaining to disability;
F.
Coordinate activities of other local groups organized for similar purposes;
G.
Work in cooperation with the departments and agencies of the Town of Brookline to bring about maximum participation of people with disabilities;
H.
Initiate, monitor, and promote legislation at the city, state and federal level which advances the equal status of people with disabilities and ensure that appropriate regulations are adopted and enforced pursuant to such legislation;
I.
Encourage public awareness of disability issues;
J.
Compose a mission statement for the Commission. Review the statement every five years, and revise it as needed. Post the statement on the Commission's website;
K.
Prepare written long-term goals that are specific, measurable and relevant to the Commission's mission. Review these goals every five years and revise as needed. Prepare written short-term goals annually;
L.
File an annual report which shall be made available in the Town's Annual Report, listing current members and summarizing Commission accomplishments;
M.
When needed, and as an aid to the Select Board, the Commission may recommend prospective Commission members for appointment by the Select Board. The Commission shall endeavor especially to solicit nominations that reflect diversity in type of disability to the greatest extent possible. Members of the public are welcome to apply directly to the Select Board for appointment. A recommendation for appointment from the Commission shall only be advisory and not necessary to receive appointment to the Commission on Disability;
N.
Take such action as the Commission considers appropriate to ensure the purposes of this by-law are met.
The Commission shall consist of seven or nine volunteer members appointed by the Select Board. The majority of members shall consist of people with disabilities. One member shall be a member of the immediate family of a person with a disability. One member shall be a member of the Select Board or a department head. All members shall serve three-year terms. Terms shall be staggered to preserve continuity. Resignations shall be made by notifying the Select Board and Town Clerk, in writing. If any member is absent from three or more regularly scheduled meetings in any one calendar year, a recommendation shall be made by the Chair to the Select Board that such member be removed from the Commission, unless any or all absences are excused for good cause by the Chair. Good cause shall include, but not be limited to, illness, a death in the family, severe weather, and professional responsibilities. The Select Board shall fill any vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment. Any members of said Commission may, after a public hearing if so requested, be removed for cause by the Select Board. No member shall undertake to speak or act on behalf of the Commission without the approval of the Commission. All members, with the exception of the Town's ADA Coordinator, shall have full voting rights.
Officers of the Commission shall include a Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers shall be elected annually by a majority vote of the Commission. One member may hold more than one office. The Chair shall develop meeting agendas in coordination with the other officers and staff, preside over all meetings, appoint subcommittees as needed, and authorize expenditures as needed. The Deputy Chair shall perform all the functions of the Chair in the Chair's absence. The Secretary shall create and maintain minutes of all meetings, maintain copies of correspondence, and make sure all meetings are posted. In absence of a Secretary, other Commission members or the ADA Coordinator shall undertake these duties. The Treasurer shall regularly inform the Commission of the status of any funds from gifts received by the Commission (and approved by the Select Board), as well as the status of any other funding to which the Commission may have access, and prepare a financial report for inclusion in the annual report, as needed.
Regular meetings of the Commission shall be held at least 10 times a year. A quorum for a nine-member Commission shall consist of five members; a seven-member Commission quorum shall consist of four members. Meeting minutes shall be reviewed, approved, and posted in a timely manner. Special meetings may be called by the Chair or by any three members. Votes on all matters concerning the Commission shall be made by a majority of those members present.