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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 07/02/2020Town of Man field 6 Park Bow, Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048 I) Downtown Committee 03 Meetine Minutes 7.2.2020 Present: Kevin Dumas; Chair, Martha O'Connell, Neil Rhein, Beth Ashman Collins, Eileen Cusack, and Jack Cooney. Guests: Lee Azinheira (DPW) and Nancy Wall Call to Order: The Downtown Committee was called to order at 4:33pm by Chair Kevin Dumas. Acceptance of Minutes Motion to accept the minutes from June 11, 2020 made by Ms. Ashman Collins, 2nd by Ms. Cusack. Roll Call Vote: Beth Ashman Collins — Yes, Eileen Cusack — Yes, Jack Cooney — Yes, Neil Rhein — Yes, Martha O'Connell - Yes, and Kevin Dumas — Yes. Vote 6-0 PASSED Banners and Trash Receptacle Update: Mr. Azinheria told the Committee about a dozen trash cans were installed today on the light posts. He also reviewed the proposed locations of the dog waste receptacles. One would be along the path from Mansfield Bank to Fulton's Pond, another would be close to the new park on Old Colony, and a third on N. Main Street by Barrow's Insurance. Mr. Azinheira continued, a contractor has been hired to install containers to contain dumpsters on Old Colonly will be doing the work as planned. The contractor had some quality control issues previously, but they will be doing the work because the previous owner is once again involved with the company and he will maintain the quality control needed by the Town. These walls, similar to the ones at Fulton's Pond, will be keyed in to existing pads. Mark Cook is waiting for confirmation of when they can come out to start the work. Mr. Azinheira told the committee that the Town has been having trouble with the lids for the trash drums betting stolen, but DPW is going to try to put them out again. According to Mr. Azinheira, the path is now complete behind the Fairfield condos and the Housing Authority. We will be adding a couple of benches by the Housing Authority. They may be donated by a member of the Rotary Club; they will be going up within a week or two. Mr. Azinheira gave an update on construction at the Municipal Lot near Mansfield Bank on N. Main Street. They have been putting in the drainage and moving to underground electric. They are also going to put in new lights in the lot and extending the lighting down the new path that leads to Rumford Avenue. Mr. Rhein stated that he had walked the Fairfield Park area, and he said It looks beautiful and that they did a great job. The lighting really pulls it all together to make it feel like a cohesive downtown. Mr. Rhein wanted to reiterate his previous request that they consider in plating of trees in this new section near the Cat Man Cafe as it would beautify this area and if it is feasible we should look into it. Mr. Azinheira stated that he did not think it was part of the plan. Mr. Dumas then summarized, the workers moved from the Fairfield Park area to working at the Municipal Lot on the drainage, and the lighting that will extend out on the path to Fulton Pond. He added, after this work is complete they will move over to Old Colony. He added, we still need to do is the signage and stenciling of the multi -use path, when project is complete from East Street to 214 Rumford. Dr. Dumas directly Mr. Azinheira to mark and delineate the whole length of the new multi -use path with appropriate signs and stenciling for bikes and walkers to be together. Mr. Rhein stated that based on his experience with using local bike paths, there is an official protocol and we should research to make sure we are in compliance. Mr. Azinheira stated that he will follow the State protocols for it. Martha O'Connell asked if the train parking on Old Colony would be taken away when the bike bath comes in. Lee said there will be a net gain of parking spaces upon completion of the project. He added that there will still be parking on both sides near the Cat Man Cafe' as the road is wide enough to accommodate parking. Mr. Rhein asked Mr. Dumas for clarification on if those spaces would no longer be dedicated to train station parking. Mr. Dumas stated, the recommendation in the Parking Study was to relocate those train station spaces, as there was to be additional spaces in a lot to be purchased nearby, but the agreement of the negotiation of the purchase of the new additional lot has not been successful. Mr. Dumas then summarized the status of the finalization of the Parking Study for the Committee. Ms. O'Connell follow-up up with, there are a couple of small businesses that are utilizing the parking spaces and she would not want them loose their spots, especially given the anticipated reduction in commuter activity due to the Covid pandemic. She added, when the new building goes up (corner of N. Main & Thomas Streets) there will be visitors looking for parking as well. Mr. Dumas gave the Committee an update on the official language to be used for the solicitation of donations for the play -set, park improvements, and the like in the to be named "Tokey Barnes space." The language is "to receive funds as intended by the donor for improvements to public property in the downtown area." Mr. Rhein asked if this account could be set up for special events fundraising as well, such as the Fall Festival. Mr. Dumas replied that he already has an account for set up for special events. Mr. Dumas continued by stating, there was some feedback about the negative connotation with GoFundMe, and his recommendation is to just ask donors to write a check, with notation of the donors expressed wishes, and it would get deposited into the established account. Mr. Rhein asked if there is a way to make an electronic donation. Kevin said no, but if we had a large corporate sponsor wanting to make a one-time donation we could set up a one-time transfer. Mr. Cooney asked if the sponsors Ms. Cusack already had lined up would be willing to write a check, and Ms. Cusack stated, it would not be a problem. She said she would like to have a memo describing the effort, and Mr. Dumas said he would send a memo to everyone on the committee. Ms. Cusack asked to be notified once the goal was met so she will know when to move forward with placing the order. Kevin said once the goal is reached, we can issue a purchase order and set them up as a vendor. Mr. Rhein commented that we could do some Facebook postings about the campaign and incorporate a picture of the set in the postings. Mr. Rhein commented that he knows we have a target amount, but what would be done if there was a surplus of funds, and we need to be careful on how we word the solicitation memo so donors know how the money is going to be used in the event there is more donated than is needed for the purchase of the train. He added, perhaps it could say something like "for the train and other future downtown improvements and enhancements." Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Mr. Dumas told the group about a fast -turn around grant opportunity that Town has and he asked Mr. Azinheira to give the group an overview of what Mansfield is proposing if approved for grant funding. Mr. Azinheira stated, we are considering the purchase of platforms that would occupy one or two parking spaces (6'x32' with railings), which could be adjusted to be level with the sidewalk to provide outdoor on -street spaces to restaurants around the center of Town. Our goal is to try to get a request into the State next week. The State is looking for a concept and will get back to communities fairly quickly. We are thinking about possibility getting 10 of these interlocking platforms. They would be stored during the winter, and could be used over and over for years to come. Mr. Dumas added, the cost is not yet fully clear, but they could possibly be as much as $25,000 which would mean we would not be getting 10. Ms. Cusack thought it was a good idea, and Ms. Ashman -Collins stated that outdoor dining is always good for downtowns. Mr. Rhein asked if we are limiting the use of these platforms to restaurants. Mr. Dumas said he thought that it could be interesting to offer them to other types of businesses, but that we would likely offer them to restaurants first. Mr. Dumas noted, we could repurpose the platforms as they are expandable, so there are some other uses for them as well. Mr. Azinheira was asked to reach out to MassDOT to move things forward while Mr. Dumas is on vacation. (Mr. Cooney left the meeting at 5:15 pm.) Motion to support the Shared Streets and Spaces Grant initive was made by Ms. Ashman Collins, 2"d by Ms. Cusack. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Ashman -Collins — yes, Mr. Rhein — yes, Ms. Cusack — yes, Ms. O'Connell — yes, Mr. Dumas - yes, Vote 5-0 PASSED Painting of Mailboxes: Nancy Wall stated that it was a project being coordinated with the schools, so it is on hold because of the pandemic. The Committee had identified four drop -boxes, that are in Town and the post office said it is fine to take them. Neil suggested that it might be a good summer project since there are a lot of students at home. Nancy Wall said she would reach out to the art teacher. Wayside signs: Mr. Azinheira stated that he and Ms. Wall had spoken early today regarding the installation of the signs for Fulton Pond and the mural project at the train station. They discussed meeting to select the sites, install pads if needed, and to moving forward with getting the signs up this summer. Next Meeting: The Committee decided to hold the next meeting on Thursday, July 30th at 4:30 pm. Any items not known 48 hours prior Mr. Rhein said he heard from a Downtown resident who is interested in working with the committee. Mr. Dumas said he would like to interview him and would consider including him. Neil Rhein complimented the group on the good work done over the last year; he suggested that the group make a formal presentation with pictures to the Select Board about the successful projects that have been accomplished over the past two years and highlight the coming projects and work that is being done. Ms. Cusack and Mr. Rhein offered to work together on this together. Adjournment *Motion to adjourn at 5:24pm made by Ms. Ashman -Collins, 2"d by Mr. Rhein. Roil Call Vote:, Ms. Ashman Collins — Yes, Mr. Rhein — yes, Ms. Cusack - Yes, Ms. O'Connell - Yes, and Kevin Dumas — Yes. Vote 5-0 PASSED Kevin Dumas,bair—Date