Jim Baron May 23, 2000 PAWTUCKET --- Several times last week -- a couple of times a day, according to Public Works Director John Carney, a mischievous elevator at City Hall would open its doors to pick up passengers, then the door would close and the elevator would promptly stop itself between floors. No one was stranded for an extended period of time. Carney said the elevator would either reset itself immediately, or would reset just by someone pushing the up or down buttons on any floor.

But, a rescue was called when one person became upset after being stuck in the elevator, convincing officials to to do something about the problem.

That was not as easy as expected. Carney said three different companies were called to find the trouble, Atlantic Elevator South Co., Otis Elevator Co. and Accurate Elevator and Lift Co., but they were all lookingat it and scratching their heads.

Ultimately, Carney said, it was determined that the controller - the mechanism that regulates the car going up and down -- needed to be replaced. Bids are being sought for the work on an expedited basis, the director said. Carney gave no estimate of the cost of the work.

In the meantime, City Hall has a Scalamobil ready, if necessary, to help disabled citizens to upper floors.The Scalamobil is a modified wheelchair designed to climb stairs without any exertion on the part of the person in the chair or the person steering it. Carney said the city bought it last year when wheelchair-bound Secretary of State James Langevin attended graduation ceremonies at the non-handicapped accessible Shea High School.

"We've trained City Hall maintenance people to use it to walk people up the stairs," Carney said. "It's tremendous. It makes every building in the city handicapped-accessible.

Under state law, a building must be accessible to the handicapped for public meetings -- such as next Wednesday's City Council meeting.

and Thursday's public hearing on the budget, both scheduled for City Hall -- to be held there.

Carney did not say when the work would be completed. http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=461164&BRD=1713&PAG=461&dept_id=24491

-- Doris (number9@mindspring.com), May 26, 2000