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Home My WebLink AboutDAC 06/13/2022Town of Mansfield 6 Pak Ron,, Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048 Downtown Committee Meetine Minutes 6.13.2022 Present: Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager, Chair, Mr. Neil Rhein, Ms. Eileen Cusack, Ms. Martha O'Connell, Mr. Jack Cooney, and Mr. George Pantos. Not present: Ms. Krista Hill Cummings, Ms. Beth Ashman Collins Guests: Mr. Josh Reinke and DPW Director, Mr. Chris McDermott, Economic Development Director. Minutes: Sharon Varricchione 1. Call to Order: The Downtown Committee was called to order at 6:06 pm by Chair, Mr. Kevin Dumas., P 2. Acceptance of Minutes from May 2.2022: d Motion: To adopt the meeting minutes of May 2th, 2022. rn _ Passes (Rhein/Pantos) 6:0 v r—rrt r r l h J :OM 3. Downtown Protects: Cm r- �C a. Fall Festival Update: tr CD 00 Mr. McDermott gave an update. The Town is working with Diane Falk again why war;r he previous consultant/primary planner for the last Fall Festival. v' Ul . n The event will be held on October 1st 2022 at Fulton's Pond which will include: food trucks, a crafts fair on South Common, an art project along the walk way, activities for the children (including cotton candy), a Ferris Wheel and possibly paddle boats. Mr. McDermott will be working on recruiting sponsors and volunteers for the event. Mr. Dumas stated that he promised the neighbors last time that they would clean up well and it will look like they were never there and he would like to hold up to that again. Mr. Dumas mentioned the close neighbors really liked the Fall Festival but the further away neighbors did not like it, theyjust did not want it in their neighborhood. The committee discussed if the event should be two days and the timing. They agreed to keep it to one day and would like to extend the hours to include water fire if possible. Mr. Dumas is also looking into sponsoring an Army Band for the venue and will look into that. Ms. Cusack inquired about fireworks and Mr. Dumas worried about where they fall and about possible fires. Kevin said they will be meeting with Diane weekly and were looking at the budget $25,000 Town dollars $35,000 Community Gardens $60,000 Total to spend Mr. Dumas noted that they need to start working early with the Police regarding parking and parking passes and to see how can we make it better. Ms. O'Connell mentioned 20-30 volunteers will be needed a couple of hours here and there and that they used High School children during the last Fall Festival. Mr. Rhein mentioned Police overtime charges and can we tap into MEMA. Mr. Kevin said yes but NEMA is more first aid. He also mentioned that they would need people to keep things moving. Mr. Rhein offered to invite town Non -Profits so they could recruit members to their board or committees. Mr. McDermott said the Rotary could come in to sponsor different food items like popcorn etc. Mr. Pantos said asked local resident Ken Butler regarding a D1 with music in between so we don't have a lull. b. Harry Chase Place Update: Mr. Dumas discussed the Wheaton Professor Kelly Goff thoughts regarding Downtown Art. Ms. Varricchione discussed the images and links she found from other places that have public art. Mr. Dumas talked about 214 Rumford Ave through to the Down Town Train Station and having interpretive art or themed art along the way. You want to be able to set up a program well thought out and could have different artists. Mr. Pantos offered that there are Cats in the Catskills, in themed colors red white blue and Italian colored ones and we could do the same with Geese and have them decorated. Ms. Cusack mentioned the electrical light boxes. Mr. McDermott mentioned shrink wrapping a design around them and to have the School and/or local Artists design and then put on boxes. He is currently looking into this with Attleboro who is already doing that. Ms. O'Connell talked about barrels to be picked up and to get to memorial park before school ends. Mr. Dumas recapped the discussion and asked the Committee; do we want to have a formal program and take a section and do it as a themed project? He then stated that the best programs use someone to manage it. Mr. Rhein said this committee might shift towards events because most of the projects are complete and this could become the new focus. He also mentioned this project could be done on the bike path and that Professor Kelly Goff had recommendations for those who would could manage this type of project. Ms. O'Connell suggested to see if there was grant money to get this kick off. c. Update on DePillo Square, Thomas Street pine tree removal, planting and crab grass treatment Mr! Reinke stated the trees were removed and the planting was completed on June 25ih. Ms. O'Connell said it looked wonderful. Mr. Reinke offered that Guerrini did the landscaping. do Update on Fulton Pond Pedestrian signage: Mr. Rhein informed the group that the signs are in, look good and guide you to Fulton's Pond. Round cement barriers were also installed for the path so cars can't go on the bath. e. Update on Proposed tree locations for the grass swale adjacent to Shawmut Avenue: Mr. Reinke stated that trees have been ordered will be planted in the fall. Martha said dead trees, dew removing, then will put in the new ones. a. Update on Cigarette receptacle containers: Mr. Reinke will work with Mr. Rhein regarding where to put them. Ms. O'Connell said the vape shop is now sweeping them up. Savanah nails is still awful and feels they need to have some receptacles there. Additional ideas/efforts a. Otis Street sign area Wild Flowers test: Mr. Reinke said they are preparing the area for the stone wall this week and a little area for the wild flower test. b. July meeting date: July 11`h at 6pm due to the Fourth of July Holiday. c. Main Street Fire Station empty lot: Mr. Rhein stated the woman who owns the property said the Town could remove the polls which are on her property. DPW will look into this Mr. Dumas said. d. New Business Recognition: Ms. O'Connell mentioned new businesses and how can they help to advertise them. She mentioned someone purchased a barrel to put in front of one to help them get business and that Beans and Seeds had their own sandwich board. Ms. O'Connell will work with Mr. McDermott on this. e. Food Trucks: Mr. Pantos does not approve of food trucks as they pay little to be here and reap all the benefits. They take awayfrom Town restaurants and don't have to pay. He mentioned the food truckfrom Maine that parks in front of Fresh Market. Mr. Dumas explained frequency was low and we needed food trucks for the Fall Festival. They drive in set up and we are done. f. Mr. Rhein's additional ideas: Pet Parade, Road Races and Ninja Worriers g. Family Fun Night: was a smashing success. Town got involved, staff worked the event and provided porter potties and helped clean up. h. Four Seasonal Events: Ms. O'Connell suggested an event for each of the seasons, Mr. Rhein agreed. i. Road Closure for Town Event: Mr. Dumas talked about shutting down part of the road, Mr. Pantos said to do it on a night that will help local businesses like a Monday, don't do Thursday -Sunday. j. Trash Barrel Wraps: Ms. O'Connell would like wraps for her trash barrels, especially nearthe Happy Hollow Frame Shop. If it's windy they need a cover as the trash barrels as the wind blows the trash away when it gets full. 4. New Business: No new business Next Meeting Date: July 11t1 at 6pm Any items not known 48 hours prior: None Adiournment Motion: To adjourn the meeting at 6:17 pm. Passes 6:0 (Pantos/ Dumas)