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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 05/22/2022Town of Mansfield 6 Park Row, Man field, Massacbusetts 02048 l 1,( C E (v E D =l?KS OFFICE Downtown Commi} RL -6 P 4: 23 Meeting Minutes 5.2.2022 f ` jNS C L 0 i�{ Present: Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager, Chair, Mr. Neil Rhein, Ms. Eileen Cusack, Ms. Martha O'Connell, Mr. Jack Cooney, Ms. Krista Hill Cummings and Mr. George Pantos. Not present: Ms. Beth Ashman Collins Guests: Mr. Josh Reinke, DPW Director, Mr. Chris McDermott, Economic Development Director. Mr. Kevin McNatt, Mansfield Historical Society Minutes: Sharon Varricchione Left Early: Ms. Cusack left the meeting at 7:27pm 1. Call to Order: The Downtown Committee was called to order at 6:06 pm by Chair, Mr. Kevin Dumas. 2. Acceptance of Minutes from April 4.2022: Motion: To adopt the meeting minutes of April 4th, 2022. Passes (Pantos/O'Connell) 7:0 3. Downtown Projects: a. Fall Festival Update: Mr. McDermott gave a Fall Festival project update. He and Ms. Griffin sat down with the project manager from the previous Fall Festival, Ms. Dianne Falk to review her bid which came just under $10,000. He also stated they will be looking into getting business sponsorships. During the last Fall Festival, they received a sponsorship as high as $20,000 and this year they are looking for businesses to sponsor anywhere from $5,000-$25,000 range. All of this is still in the preliminary stages and they will be working on organization, working with volunteers, and working with the Downtown Businesses. He will give an update at the next meeting, next month on June, 61h, 2022. b. Harry Chase Place Update: Mr. Miller gave an update on the proposed design for Harry Chase Place which could include a Train Canopy Shelter. The cost would roughly be for $110,000 depending on inflation, this cost would not include Geese sculptures, Mr. Rhein mentioned the cost for the sign seemed high. Mr. Miller explained that it also included granite posts and installation. Mr. Dumas said the sign would follow what the current municipal signs looked like in Town. Mr. Dumas then explained that Mansfield would not move forward with the project unless we received 52%-74% grant reimbursement project cost. Mr. Miller then discussed the geese sculpture part of the project and then said that it's a bit disappointing because the custom nature of what we are trying to do drives the cost up to where we don't feel its reasonable. Mr. Dumas added that during their last meeting they talked about this part of the project being treated separately and that they could fund raise for the geese sculpture costs. Mr. Rhein offered that laterdown the road for public artproject this could be one of the locations. Mr. McDermott is working on a Downtown Recovery Grant, which could possible help fund the items along the downtown corridor through the bike path. The due date for this Grant Reimbursement project is July 14t1 and we wouldn't find out if we were awarded the funds until the October -November, 2022 timeframe. Mr. Dumas also offered that studies for Memorial Park will begin as a separate project. Mr. Pantos said $100,000 for this Harry Chase Place project is a lot of money and maybe just do picnic tables for $10,000 and history pictures. Mr. Dumas then stated that we named this project "Harry B. Chase" and we should do something that lives up to the railroad history that we have been talking about the last two plus years. We embarked on this journey to do something and if not, we have spent the money working with the consultant all this time. Even if you remove the canopy, it's still important to have explanations of what the place is. He also felt that just having a panel did not seem like enough for that area. Ms. O'Connell stated that as a person who lives downtown, we have Fulton's Pond but there is really nothing on the other side and it gives people a place to go. Also, that this can tie into the bike path and that she would support it. Mr. Miller said everyone would be surprised how much things cost now compared to Pre -Coved. Mr. Dumas thinks we should still proceed with the project and go through with it if they get the grant, wrap this up and make it look great and highlight a piece of Mansfield's history. Ms. Cusack asked if we were paying Mr. Miller by the month and Mr. Dumas stated he's paid forthe hours that he's worked. She then asked what was the process for public art was, and related it to wraps. Mr. Dumas stated he has put a request in front of the Select Board for consideration of a policy for wrapping traffic control boxes and noted that it will be discussed the meeting of May 20th. Ms. Cusack then asked about the 2501h Anniversary that is coming up and Mr. Dumas stated that we haven't started this yet. Mr. Rhein offered that they first need to get applications. Ms. Cusack then asked about park maintenance going forward. Mr. Dumas stated that DPW has a budget which they use to maintain all the parks. Ms. Hill Cummings bought up the idea regarding pop up art where for example the town once a year would put pop up images of geese. Something that is special to the town and to have children add geese to that area and be involved. Mr. Dumas then mentioned their exchange with Professor Kelly Goff from Wheaton and that they would review the email again and share the Professors thoughts with the group regarding Town art. Mr. Dumas then stated that he is looking for support of the Harry Chase Project and moving forward with it, if we get the grant. If we don't get the grant, hopefully the grant that Mr. McDermott is looking into could help fund this and a few other projects. Motion: To approve the project as outlined by Mr. Miller for improvements to Harry B. Chase Jr. Place up to $110,000 and subject to a successful grant application. Passes: (Rhein/Cummings) 7:0 c. Thomas Street pine tree removal, planting and crab grass treatment: Mr. Reinke stated there were delays due to the weather but the DPW would be starting tomorrow May Yd. The DPW will be resetting the concrete and curbing and in the next week working on the grass and planting. d. Dumpster enclosures on Old Colony Way: Mr. Rhein stated these are beautifully stained and officially done. The Committee then discussed taking pictures of finished projects and posting successful projects like this on social media when they are finished. e. Fulton Pond Pedestrian signage: Mr. Reinke showed the Fulton Pond sign pictures that are the same size as the current parking signs. He then stated what the signs say, the location of where they will be and that they will get you to where you need to go. Mr. Rhein then stated that Mr. Kevin McNatt, the President from the Historical Society was present and confirmed that "Fulton's Pond" is the correct name and The due date for this Grant Reimbursement project is July 14" and we wouldn't find out if we were awarded the funds until the October -November, 2022 timeframe. Mr. Dumas also offered that studies for Memorial Park will begin as a separate project. Mr. Pantos said $100,000 for this Harry Chase Place project is a lot of money and maybe just do picnic tables for $10,000 and history pictures. Mr. Dumas then stated that we named this project "Harry B. Chase" and we should do something that lives up to the railroad history that we have been talking about the last two plus years. We embarked on this journey to do something and if not, we have spent the money working with the consultant all this time. Even if you remove the canopy, it's still important to have explanations of what the place is. He also felt that just having a panel did not seem like enough for that area. Ms. O'Connell stated that as a person who lives downtown, we have Fulton's Pond but there is really nothing on the other side and it gives people a place to go. Also, that this can tie into the bike path and that she would support it. Mr. Miller said everyone would be surprised how much things cost now compared to Pre -Coved. Mr. Dumas thinks we should still proceed with the project and go through with it if they get the grant, wrap this up and make it look great and highlight a piece of Mansfield's history. Ms. Cusack asked if we were paying Mr. Miller by the month and Mr. Dumas stated he's paid forthe hours that he's worked. She then asked what was the process for public art was, and related it to wraps. Mr. Dumas stated he has put a request in front of the Select Board for consideration of a policy for wrapping traffic control boxes and noted that it will be discussed the meeting of May 201h. Ms. Cusack then asked about the 2501h Anniversary that is coming up and Mr. Dumas stated that we haven't started this yet. Mr. Rhein offered that they first need to get applications. Ms. Cusack then asked about park maintenance going forward. Mr. Dumas stated that DPW has a budget which they use to maintain all the parks. Ms. Hill Cummings bought up the idea regarding pop up art where for example the town once a year would put pop up images of geese. Something that is special to the town and to have children add geese to that area and be involved. Mr. Dumas then mentioned their exchange with Professor Kelly Goff from Wheaton and that they would review the email again and share the Professors thoughts with the group regarding Town art. Mr. Dumas then stated that he is looking for support of the Harry Chase Project and moving forward with it, if we get the grant. If we don't get the grant, hopefully the grant that Mr. McDermott is looking into could help fund this and a few other projects. Motion: To approve the project as outlined by Mr. Miller for improvements to Harry B. Chase Jr. Place up to $110,000 and subject to a successful grant application. Passes: (Rhein/Cummings) 7:0 c. Thomas Street pine tree removal, planting and crab grass treatment: Mr. Reinke stated there were delays due to the weather but the DPW would be starting tomorrow May 31d. The DPW will be resetting the concrete and curbing and in the next week working on the grass and planting. d. Dumpster enclosures on Old Colony Way: Mr. Rhein stated these are beautifully stained and officially done. The Committee then discussed taking pictures of finished projects and posting successful projects like this on social media when they are finished. e. Fulton Pond Pedestrian signage: Mr. Reinke showed the Fulton Pond sign pictures that are the same size as the current parking signs. He then stated what the signs.say, the location of where they will be and that they will get you to where you need to go. Mr. Rhein then stated that Mr. Kevin McNatt, the President from the Historical Society was present and confirmed that "Fulton's Pond" is the correct name and