Published in the September 29, 2016 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

NORTH READING — The school department has developed a plan to accommodate the needs of senior citizens and residents with disabilities when attending Town Meeting on Oct. 17 and in the future.

Superintendent of Schools Jon Bernard said the school department will be designating some temporary handicapped parking spaces, in addition to existing handicap parking spaces, near the front entrance to the high school.  From the high school’s front entrance, it’s a much shorter walk to the Performing Arts Center, (where town meeting is held), than from the gymnasium entrance in the rear of the building.

Bernard said a temporary fob system for the performing arts center’s elevator will be installed, which will allow disabled voters to use  the elevator.

Additionally, Bernard said students will be assisting voters with getting to and from their cars as well as their seats at Town Meeting.

School Committee member Mel Webster called Bernard’s plan “a great idea.” He said having local students assist older residents is a good way for students to fulfill their community service requirements.

Hit the lights

Bernard said a new timed lighting system has been installed at the high school’s tennis courts.

The superintendent said two electricians installed the lighting system recently. In a phone interview with the Transcript, Bernard said the old system forced people to request using the lights from the town. He said the new system includes a timer that residents can control.

“The system has a sensor that will allow someone to activate the lights for one hour around dusk,” said Bernard. “(Residents) can activate it by pushing a button.”

Bernard said the lights will flash with three to five minutes remaining in the hour. If they so desire, residents will then be able to activate the lights again for another hour. He said the lights will always turn off at 9:30 p.m. seven days per week.

“My hope is the system will work and people will be able to use the tennis courts up until 9:30 p.m.,” said Bernard.