Governor Re-Establishes Special Advisory Commission on Disability Policy

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BOSTON — During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Governor Healey signed an Executive Order re-establishing the Governor's Special Advisory Commission on Disability Policy to improve opportunities for people with disabilities, their families and advocates to provide input on policy and program development that will reduce barriers to state services. 
 
"It is very important to me that people with disabilities and their families have a direct line to me and my office," said Governor Maura Healey. "By establishing this Commission, we are getting the input and perspective to make sure that our policies and programs are working for everyone." 
 
The Commission will be Chaired by the Massachusetts Office on Disability's Executive Director Allan Motenko and will consist of at least 24 people appointed by Governor Healey based on recommendations from organizations that support people with disabilities.
 
Membership will include a diverse group of people who have lived experience, family members of people with disabilities, advocates, a representative from the Statewide Independent Living Council, and executive branch staff who have oversight of state programs supporting these populations.  
 
The first priority of the Commission will be to assess where the concerns are for people with disabilities and their families when interacting with state government, as well as ways that the state can promote inclusion in the programs and services the state offers.   
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Pittsfield Audit Committee Sees 2 'Advantageous' Proposals

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city received two strong proposals for an independent audit and will evaluate their cost as the last determining factor. 

On Monday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee decided to advance proposals from CliftonLarsonAllen and from Scanlon and Associates, the firm that has audited Pittsfield for years. 

The city received two bid responses that members generally saw as equally strong. Some pushed for a new set of eyes, and some were comfortable with the knowledge Scanlon has built about Pittsfield over the years. 

They agreed that prices are an important factor and voted to advance both proposals to purchasing agent Colleen Hunter-Mullett so she can come back with financial information. 

"I think one was longer, but when I looked at it, I thought they both had in-depth information for us, and I really didn't have any issues with any of them, and I think they're both highly advantageous in that," said Kathy Amuso, who was designated to review the proposals. 

"… I contacted municipalities for both CliftonLarsonAllen and Scanlon, and no matter which one I contacted, all the CliftonLarsonAllen customers and clients highly recommended them, and the Scanlon clients highly recommended them."

She has worked with Scanlon through government since 2003 and, because both proposals were highly rated, doesn't see a reason to change.

"I think it's been pretty consistent. I think they've been good to work with; I think they found some issues that they worked with the City of Pittsfield on," Amuso explained. 

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