HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 04/04/2022Town of Mansfield
6 Park Row,, Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048 RECEIVED
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Meeting Minutes 4.4.7n77 F4C�iSFIE� ,
Present Virtually: Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager, Chair, Mr. Neil Rhein, Ms. Eileen Cusack, Ms. Martha
O'Connell, Mr. Jack Cooney, Ms. Beth Ashman Collins and Mr. George Pantos.
Not present: Ms. Krista Hill Cummings
Guests: Mr. Josh Reinke, DPW Director, Mr. Chris McDermott, Economic Development Director
Left Early: Ms. Ashman Collins left the meeting at 6:28pm.
Minutes: Sharon Varricchione
1. Call to Order: The Downtown Committee was called to order at 6:03 pm by Chair, Mr. Kevin Dumas.
2. Acceptance of Minutes from March 7.2022:
Motion: To adopt the meeting minutes of March 7, 2022. Passes (Pantos/Cooney) 7:0
3. Harry Chase Place Update:
There was no update.
4. Downtown Update:
Mr. Dumas asked for downtown updates.
o Banners
Mr. Reinke gave the update. The banners started to arrive today at the Highway garage. The Highway
Department will likelystart Installing the hardware (brackets) laterthis week, and will continue into the following
week. The Spring banner can go up in April and remain until Memorial Day. Then it will be swapped for the
Patriotic banner.
o Ideas for other beautification efforts
I. Landscaping: Rt. 106/Thomas Street (DePillo Square):
Mr. Reinke stated that this will begin next week. As of now, the Guerrini Landscaping is
working to obtain the necessary plantings. No issues as of now are anticipated.
il. Trash Enclosures (Old Colony Way):
The posts have been installed and they will be finishing the wood in a week or two.
ill. Sidewalk Sweeper: (got+(itIYl:y,wtthJtash)
Sweeping will be conducted now through May 27".
iv. Fire Station abutting property Spring cleanup:
Mr. Reinke stated that Mr. Ahearn has spoken with the owner and the owner agreed to let the
Town help with cleaning up their property.
v. Connecting Downtown to Fulton's Pond Sign:
The sign vendor will be providing sign designed proofs. Ms. Varricchione will share them with
the group and they will be discussed at the next meeting. Mr. Rhein added that they took out
the butterfly bush in that area and that it looks nice.
vi. Possible ideas from beatification:
The committee discussed having the Town help the owners of the overgrown land across from
Cheng Du with Spring cleanup. Mr. Dumas asked Ms. O'Connell if she could please ask the
owners directly. Ms. O'Connell agreed and will email Mr. Dumas with the outcome.
Mr. Rhein talked about adding wild flowers downtown past the train station and that a mother
and an MHS student were interested in helping out. Ms. O'Connell mentioned that it was across
from Bead Cache. Ms. Beth Ashman Collins mentioned the bike path would be good for wild
flowers too. The committee also discussed that there are Wild Flower Bombs that you can plant
and grow over time and that Briggs will be selling them. Ms. O'Connell said in that area, the
memorial is on the left side of the hill. She also stated she will find out what kind of flowers are
in those flower bombs. Mr. Dumas said we will take a look at the property.
S. Fall Festival 2022
Mr. Dumas stated that he is looking forward to this year's Fall Festival, and we will reach out to Diane Falk and
invite her to our May 2"d meeting as she worked on the last Fall Festival and project budget.
Neil spreadsheet review:
Mr. Rhein reviewed his spreadsheet of projects that were not already discussed.
•
Harry Chase Place:
There was no updatefrom Craig Miller. Mr. Dumas mentioned that he needs to do some research to figure
out what is needed for the project. He also mentioned a possible grant that could be used towards Harry
Chase Place. Mr. Rhein mentioned that he would like to see trees added to the area.
Decorate and paint Postal Relay Boxes:
Ms. Cusack said the Cultural Council will be painting barrels instead of relay boxes. Mr. Reinke will identify
some electrical boxes that could be painted too. Ms. Cusack talked about MHS and giving the students a
project to paint as well. Ms. Cusack asked for permission for the artist to finish the one relay box she
started. Ms. O'Connell requested to add some painted barrels at Memorial Park due to the amount of
trash that accumulates there. The hope would be to have MHS students paint them before the end of the
school year, the sooner the better.
Thomas Street beautification project:
Although this project was previously discussed in the meeting, Mr. Dumas added that we should start
treating the crab grass now. If we don't do it now, it will be hard to keep up with it later. Include treating
all the planting beds on both sides of the tracks where all the plantings are.
• New Businesses Downtown Mansfield:
Mr. McDermott mentioned the following new businesses coming to Mansfield:
o New bakery coming to Mansfield called "Home Town Bakery"
o New gourmet coffee shop across the street from Town Hall coming after Easter.
o Nico and Vines Florist Shop relocating to Mansfield soon.
Mr. Rhein asked about the North Main Fire Station. Mr. Dumas said there is a meeting on that this week
as it has more issues but we are still moving forward. The new clean up dollar amount was substantial, it
needs to be discussed and the Town is responsible to pay for it. More on that to come.
Ms. O'Connell said the new sign near Otis street, should get designed and planted although it is not a
downtown item.
Ms. Cusack mentioned side walk issues at 962 East Street where she had fallen. Mr. Reinke asked if she
was ok and that he would look into it.
• Public Art: Mr. Dumas will be getting in touch with Professor Kelly Goff.
6. New Business:
Mr. Pantos mentioned a WWII veteran resident that lives on West Street is turning 100 years old. Mr. Dumas
asked Board Member Mr. Rhein if we could do something for him. Mr. Dumas also asked Mr. Pantos if the veteran
had any relatives and asked for Ms. Varricchione to see if Mr. Raymond, Director of Veterans Services could tell
us any more information about this resident.
Next Meeting Date: The Committee members agreed the next meeting date would be, Monday, May 2"d, at
6:00 pm
Any items not known 48 hours prior: None
Adiournment
Mr. Dumas asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion: To adjourn the meeting at 6:44 pm. Passes 6:0 (Pantos/Cusack)
Kevin Dumas, Chair Date