The Traveling Wheelchair

Methuen City Hall
Searles Building
Room 308
41 Pleasant Street
Methuen, MA 01844
Phone: 978-983-8510
http://www.cityofmethuen.net/

Since December of 2008, Kenny & co have been closely following the story of the Methuen City Council planning to pass a new law that would require all newly constructed buildings that serve the public to install automatic door openers. On Monday, December 15, 2008, we traveled to Methuen City Hall and met with J.J. Huggins, staff writer for The Eagle Tribune for he has been following the story as well.

J.J. Huggins has very kindly kept us updated on this story. On Monday evening, J.J. informed us that The Methuen City Council passed the law by a vote of 7-1. This new law mandates at a minimum a “push button door opener” for all newly constructed buildings in Methuen.

J.J. Huggin’s full story, ‘Methuen passes automatic doors law’ published in The Eagle Tribune today; March 05, 2009 is at http://www.eagletribune.com/punews/local_story_063190525.html .

Sid Harris, chairman of the Methuen Disability Commission and members of the Methuen City Council are all quoted. Myra Berloff, director of the state Office on Disability is quoted; “Hooray for Methuen for really being proactive and taking the lead in this,” she said during an interview. “It will make such a difference in the lives of people with disabilities who want to use those businesses.”

My mom, a member of Kenny & co spoke with Sid Harris, chairman of the Methuen Disability Commission, about the importance of this new law. Sid told my mom that he was very happy that this law passed and hopes that it will inspire other communities and possibly our State of Massachusetts as well as our Federal Government to pass a similar legislation!!

Hopefully, all other cities and towns throughout our State and Country will follow Methuen’s fine example and establish a similar law! If you want to contact your town/city Council members and ask them to consider doing the same as Methuen, you can simply click on http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cistel/telidx.htm   to find their contact information.

I give the Methuen City Council FIVE STARS for their compassion and sensitivity to the needs of the disabled and FIVE STARS PLUS STARS for being the first community in the state of Massachusetts to pass a law which will allow easier access for all physically disabled.

I also give J.J. Huggins FIVE STARS for sensitivity and keeping us informed of this important legislation that will help to make the world more accessible to all. Thank-You J.J.