East Lyme looks to borrow $550K to make Town Hall ADA compliant
East Lyme — The town will borrow $550,000 to redesign Town Hall in response to a complaint that the building does not comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
First Selectman Dan Cunningham said the work has to be done by November.
The renovations call for adding an elevator and redoing the wheelchair ramp outside the building, which Cunningham said is currently too steep. Plans also call for changing the height of water fountains and tables and renovating some bathrooms. Cunningham said the work will have a minimal effect on Town Hall operations.
I think it just hadn't occurred to anyone that the building has these shortcomings," Cunningham said Thursday as to why the upgrades took until now, 35 years after the ADA became law.
The Board of Finance unanimously voted Wednesday to let the town ask voters to bond the needed money.
"It's essential we get this accomplished," Cunningham told the board. "A lot of the public needs to get in there."
The complaint was made before Cunningham came into office. He said when he became first selectman, he made the renovation a priority.
Director of Public Works Joe Bragaw told the board other town buildings have less expensive upgrades to make, but these the town can handle with its normal operating budget.
"Town Hall is the only major one, Bragaw said.
A Town Meeting has been scheduled for April 2 for residents to vote on the bonding.
In a February 2023 letter, Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, said ensuring people with disabilities can have access to public services is one of the most important protections the ADA provides.
Complaints alleging that a public entity or place of public accommodation in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities can be filed by contacting the U.S. Attorney's Office at 203-821-3700.
j.lakowsky@theday.com
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