How Much Will A New Garbage Bag Vending Machine Cost Us?

There's plenty to dislike about the city's garbage bag vending machine that showed up in front of 520 Warren over 7 years ago.  Well, here's another issue with that eyesore that doesn't get discussed much, if at all, which could and should have been taken care of long ago.  You probably won't be surprised to know that this involves our DPW Superintendent Robert Perry.

The US Department of Justice required 3 changes at Hudson City Hall as part of their 2019 settlement agreement with the city regarding our serious lack of regard for the Americans With Disabilities Act.  Two of those changes at 520 Warren were taken care of recently: the building (though, oddly, not the second floor) is now ADA-accessible; and the parking space out front is now handicap van accessible (removing half the width of the sidewalk in the process and making it much more dangerous).  The sole unresolved required change -- probably the simplest and least expensive of the three - has to do with, of all things, that ugly garbage bag vending machine.  

It turns out that all vending machines offered by public entities must be accessible by all, including those in wheelchairs, with "no operating controls more than 48 inches off the ground."  While the buttons to push to receive bags inside our machine are between 3 and 4 feet off the ground, the credit card swiper is about a foot and a half beyond 4 feet.  A disabled person confined to a wheelchair cannot possibly use that machine in front of City Hall on their own.  One wonders if Robert Perry cares.

Our DPW clerk (and sometimes Mr. Perry himself) maintains the garbage bag machine, and Mr. Perry was likely made aware of the problem with his machine nearly 5 years ago.  Well, at least he should have been made aware that his beloved machine has got to be reconfigured, replaced or it must go away all together so that all human beings are able to purchase city garbage bags, also known as an essential service.  Or maybe he never bothered to read the DOJ's settlement agreement.

Attachment C of the DOJ's settlement agreement with Hudson

Here's why I think our dear DPW Superintendent has done nothing to make his sidewalk garbage bag vending machine ADA compliant.  The issue with his vending machine was likely brought to Perry's attention soon after the DOJ settlement agreement was brought to Mayor Rick Rector's attention in late 2019 (Rector signed the agreement and the agreement requires that all "agency heads" read it).  Two months later, a new mayor was in City Hall, as was a new mayor's aide who also played the role of newly created ADA Coordinator.  But Michael Chameides quickly tired of Kamal Johnson's bullshit and soon quit.  Michael Hoffman replaced him, lasted a few years and now Kamal is on his 3rd aide/ADA coordinator in the past 5 years.  With all that change and turmoil (and Johnson in charge!), combined with the city's inability to pay attention to much of anything, I'd bet that no one has reminded Robert Perry that his machine is not acceptable in the modern world.  And he probably thinks that the ADA requirements for his machine are ridiculous and an annoyance not worth bothering with, so he's kept his mouth shut and done nothing about what the DOJ required of him while Kamal Johnson and his rotating cast of ADA coordinators just can't keep up with all the turmoil and bullshit.  And so, the one required change at City Hall demanded by the Department of Justice that only Robert Perry can take care of continues to be ignored.  By, of course, Robert Perry, the guy making over $117,000 who seems to prefer not to be around people.

"They're going to make me do what for the disabled?  For someone in a wheelchair?  No f'n way!"  I imagine that is how Mr. Perry reacted years ago when he was informed of the unviability of his garbage bag vending machine in front of City Hall.  And no one has reminded him since that his approach and lack of effort are unacceptable.  Hell, Kamal Johnson and his latest aide, Justin Weaver, don't even know for sure where Mr. Perry's office is located, and Johnson doesn't seem to care.  Maybe someday the Department of Justice ADA people will track down Mr. Perry and remind him about his problematic vending machine.  Then what will he say?  "I've been really busy for the past few years taking pictures for my monthly reports to the Common Council and it skipped my mind.  So sorry.  Don't worry, I'll get on it soon!"?

Robert Perry, the guy who really cares about others, particularly the disabled!