HUGHESTOWN — Mayor Wayne Quick wants to ensure everyone can attend council meetings, which prompted him and council to work on changes to the borough building to make it more accessible for elderly and disabled residents.
This past August, the parking lot between the borough building and fire company was repaved and had two new handicap parking spots added, while the sidewalk leading up to the building from the parking lot was redone to make it a ramp.
A railing was also added in the center of the steps leading up to the building’s front entrance.
An elevator will be added, probably around the spring time, said Quick.
“That’s in the dry phases right now with the engineers,” he said. “It’s undergoing a process and (engineers) were here and took all of the measurements and we’re dealing with a lift company. Now, it’s just to put it on paper and make sure all the numbers can come together.”
The upgrades were made possible from the $100,000 Community Block Grant that council received as well as an extra $40,000 that was left over from sewer work.
“The county gave us permission to use (the extra sewer money),” said Quick. “I guess it’s also accessible for the (American Disability Act), so we decided to use the balance we had for this project.”
According to adata.org, the American Disability Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.
The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
“We’re trying to think ahead,” he said. “Like any of the other towns around here, we have a high influx of retired and elderly people. We’re just trying to think ahead a little bit, just in case.”