2 Greenwich Residents Demand Action On ADA Compliance

GREENWICH, CT — Two Greenwich residents are hoping the town can take action and bring intersections on Greenwich Avenue up to ADA code in a timely manner.

An ADA grievance was filed by Stephanie Cowie and Alan Gunzburg, who are both members of the First Selectman's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities, following the Representative Town Meeting's December vote to halt the intersection improvement project at Arch and Grigg Streets.

With the RTM's vote, Greenwich also turned away $2.7 million in state grant money that would've paid for construction costs. The town will likely now have to pay out of its own pockets for a future improvement project.

Cowie and Gunzburg appeared before the Board of Selectmen on Feb. 23 to discuss the grievance and ask for action. Assistant town attorney Aamina Ahmad said the selectmen had 15 days from that date to issue a written decision, which would've coincided with March 9, the next scheduled Board of Selectmen meeting.

However, the timeframe to make a decision was extended by a few days, Gunzburg told Patch.

Cowie told the selectmen on Feb. 23 the project would have included safety upgrades and modifications to the sidewalks, curb cuts and accessible parking stalls to bring them up to ADA code.

"We requested that the ADA upgrades be designed and implemented as quickly as possible at Arch and Grigg Streets," Cowie said.

In response to the grievance in January, Human Services Commissioner Demetria Nelson recommended that a new improvement plan should be developed to address the ADA compliance issues.

The Greenwich Department of Public Works said it may take 12-24 months to execute a new plan.

"Unfortunately, waiting two more years is far too long for the necessary and federal legal obligations by the town of Greenwich to be met," Cowie told the selectmen. "We ask for what is reasonable for mediation in less than 12 months."

Gunzburg, a longtime advocate for people with disabilities, spoke briefly.

"ADA rights are civil rights, and my civil rights have been obliterated by a [RTM] vote," he said.

Gunzburg said ADA compliance issues are seen across Greenwich, which sends a message that "we just don't care."

Cowie and Gunzburg also called for DPW's ADA transition plan to be posted on the town website, and for a commission to be established for people with disabilities, rather than an ad hoc committee.

"We would like to see more money set aside each and every year for ADA compliance. This should be a line item specific to every department," Cowie added. "We would like people to think of our streets, our parks, our town facilities, are open to all and that they are inclusive."

Camillo, a major champion of the intersection improvement projects, said he'd speak with DPW about accelerating the timeframe for any future project.

He noted that while the town has made progress in addressing ADA issues, Greenwich is playing "catch up" from years of noncompliance.

He thanked Cowie and Gunzburg for their advocacy.