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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 11/27/2023Town of Mansfield G Park Rov, Maurfield,, MassachusetEr 02048 RECEIVED TOWN CLERKS OFFICE Downtown Committee u JAN 23 P Z. 22 Meeting Minutes 11.27.2023 MANSFIELD Present: Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager, Chair, Mr. Neil Rhein, plist�i�jQifr,'Mr. Jack Cooney, Mr. Chris Jackson, Ms. Eileen Cusack, Mr. George Pantos, and Mr. Joe Cerretani who arrived at 5:42pm Guests: Mr. Chris McDermott, Economic Development Director and Mr. Josh Reinke, DPW Director Minutes: Sharon Varricchione 1. Call to Order: The Downtown Committee was called to order at 5:33PM by Chair, Mr. Kevin Dumas. 2. Acceptance of Minutes from August 14, 2023: Motion: To adopt the meeting minutes of August 14, 2023. Passes 7:0 (Pantos/Cooney) 3. 250th Traffic Box Discussion: box located at North/South Main St. @ West/East St.: Mr. Dumas asked Ms. Cusack to give the Downtown Committee an update regarding the 2501h Committee Traffic Box. Ms. Cusack shared a mockup of what the 250th Committee was thinking. The group reviewed the mock up with all the historical information and Mr. Dumas suggested to have the information in the mockup put into a panel verse having all this information directly on the Traffic Box as it would be too much information. The group discussed having some sort of 25011 image or image across time type of artwork. Mr. Dumas discussed how the Town has put money aside to pay for this Traffic Box but the historical informational panel would need to paid for by the 250" Committee. He also suggested that the panel could have pop outs near the text that could show what landmarks used to be there. Ms. Cusack referred to the Eagle Traffic Box in DePillo Square and asked if the bushes in front could be trimmed so you could see it better. Mr. Reinke said will work with his team to do this. She then discussed the big artwork organized in Attleboro and how great it came out. Ms. O'Connell agreed and bought up the big artwork of foxes that are nearby the Rotary in the Town of Foxboro and how great they looked. Mr. Pantos then suggested to have Mr. Dumas speak with the 2501h Committee regarding the; proposed artwork. Mr. Dumas stated he would attend the next 250th meeting on November 30th to discuss with the Committee. 4. Neil Rhein's Spreadsheet Review: Mr. Rhein talked about a few of the completed projects including the poles that were removed next to the old Fire House. He then mentioned how successful was and congratulated The Town Manager and his staff. He then discussed the new FY24 items: 1-Fall Fest 2024- Mr. Rhein asked Mr. Dumas if there was anything he learned about the 2023 event. Mr. Dumas stated that they are at a good place with this event and everyone seemed to enjoy it. He said there needs to be a good balance between the neighborhood and the event. This year they had more children's activities in the grass area so there weren't just big lines near the other events. The Committee then spoke about the Summer Night At Fulton's Pond event that took place this past August and the possibility of having it in July this year. Mr. Dumas then mentioned that this event was a smaller event and it was not meant to be a larger Fall Festival. This event worked out well with our other Town movie event that happened directly after on the Town Common. Mr. Rhein liked the band at the Fall Festival, he said it had a variety of songs for all to enjoy. He then suggested adding non -profits groups to the event and Mr. Dumas mentioned it would be too much as it's already a challenge to get vendors in and out of the Festival before and after the event. Mr. Rhein then commented on how wonderful the food vendors were and the Committee agreed. Mr. Dumas mentioned there were porter potty issues to address. Mr. Pantos suggested more seating for the seniors and ATMs for next year. Mr. Joe Cerretani said it was too bad that the many people left due to the Patriots game. Mr. Jackson suggested having the games available to watch while you are at the Fall Festival. Mr. Pantos disagreed and questioned, is this a Fall Festival or a sports thing. 2- Upgrade Harry Chase Place —Mr. Rhein mentioned the installations will happen in the late Spring. Mr. Dumas mentioned that two trees have already been planted and that the area will need landscaping. Mr. Pantos then spoke about that the fence by Geno's is bad and needs to be updated. 3- Traffic Control Box Art — Mr. Rhein explained that this was already discussed earlier and that the Eagle Traffic box located in DePillo Square was already done. Ms. O'Connell said that the Keep Mansfield Beautiful (KMB) would like to wrap one of the traffic boxes. Ms. Cusack said she had an idea to discuss with Ms. O'Connell. She then stated that the Cultural Council had already put in their application to request their own traffic box and that they are waiting to hear back from the Select Board. 4- Desian and install new wavfaring signs to direct visitors to downtown Mansfield —Mr. Rhein said some signs did go up. Mr. Reinke stated that some of them were the wrong size and that hey are going to test larger signs out now. Mr. Dumas requested to have this added to the January 2024 meeting. Ms. Cusack said to check out the signs in the Town of Easton which were done well. Mr. Rhein said that the purpose of the signs are to let people know what's Downtown so when you come here you will know. 5- Covers for DT trash barrels —Mr. Reinke stated that this has been completed. 6- Cigarette Litter Receptacles —Mr. Rhein stated that this has been completed. 7- Pending Projects Remainder— to be discussed during the January 22, 2024 meeting. Mr. Cooney asked the Committee if they should add more events. Mr. Rhein mentioned that more events cost more money. He then mentioned some of the items on the Events and Marketing tab including art projects and a pet parade and said we need to decide what to tackle. Mr. Dumas liked the idea of the art project. The Committee discussed the bike path in Newbury, Ms. Cusack mentioned how nice the Foxboro foxes artwork located near by the Foxboro Rotary and Mr. Pantos spoke about the cat artwork located in the Catskills. Mr. Rhein suggested a goose theme for Mansfield and Mr. Pantos suggested a hornet. Mr. Rhein mentioned murals and Mr. Cerretani mentioned they have TOD zoning for artwork so it would be a nice incentive. Ms. O'Connell said the KMB (Keep Mansfield Beautiful) has been discussing the Route 106 Mural and that it needs to be restored as it has not been toiuched in 10 years. She continued to tell the Committee that it's difficult to find someone to do the work and that they have money put aside for the task. Mr. Dumas asked Ms. Varricchione to set up a meeting to discuss this project on how to procure the mural with him, Ms. O'Connell, Mr. Ahern, the Town Public Buildings Operation Manager, Mr. Reinke, and Ms. Brooks from KMB. He then said they would discuss this further during the January meeting. S. 2024 Meeting Date Schedule at 5:30pm in Room 2 A/B Mr. Dumas noted the meeting dates scheduled for 2024. Mr. Jackson noted that May 27t^ was Memorial Day. Mr. Dumas asked that Ms. Varricchione reschedule that date. 0 1/22/24 0 2/12/24 0 3/25/24 0 4/22/24 0 5/27/24 0 6/24/24 0 7/22/24 0 8/12/24 0 9/23/24 0 10/14/24 0 11/25/24 6. Any items not known 48 hours prior: None 7. Adjournment: Motion: To adjourn the meeting at 6:28 PM. Passes 8:0 (Pantos/Cerretani) 1 Kevin umas, Chair Date