HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 01/22/2024Town of Man field
6 Park Ram, Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048 RECEIVED
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Downtown Committytq eeb 10 23
Meeting Minutes 1.22.2024 E D
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Present: Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager, Chair, Mr. Neil,;Rhein,6m,$."Mb'rtfiiTb'Connell, Mr. Jack
Cooney, Mr. Chris Jackson, Ms. Eileen Cusack, Mr. George Pantos, and
Not Present: Mr. Joe Cerretani
Guests: Mr. Chris McDermott, Economic Development Director
Minutes: Sharon Varricchione
1. Call to Order: The Downtown Committee was called to order at 5:34PM by Chair, Mr. Kevin Dumas.
2. Acceptance of Minutes from November 27, 2023:
Motion: To adopt the meeting minutes of November 27, 2023.
Passes 6:0 (Dumas/Pantos)
3. 250th Traffic Box Discussion: box located at North/South Main St. Co) West/East St.:
Ms. Cusack and Mr. Dumas reminded the Committee about the panel they discussed at the last meeting
that would correspond with and sit near the traffic box. The panel was suggested as they recognized that
there was too much info in the traffic box art and thought the traffic box should have just one image and
the remaining information could be put on this panel. Mr. Rhein agreed and stated that people are flying
through that area and you need something quick to grab their attention to review. Mr. Dumas also added
that it was too close to the rail so it can be challenging to see. Mr. Dumas stated that the panel would be
supplemented. Ms. Cusack asked the Committee to see if they would like to see the new 250t logo on the
the traffic box. Mr. Dumas said that they need to keep the traffic art box process going and that ultimately,
it's the decision of the Select Board and Mr. Rhein stated that the Downtown Committee should give a
recommendation. Mr. Dumas said to give all the 250th cost requests to him and he would discuss them.
He then asked Ms. Cusack to give the Downtown recommendation to simplify the traffic box artwork and
to have a supportive panel since Mr. Dumas would not be able to attend the meeting. Ms. Cusack said she
would discuss this with the 250th Committee.
Motion: To reconsider the traffic box art work
Passes 6:0 (Pantos/Neil)
Motion: To have a supportive panel on South Common for the 250th
Passes 6:0 (O'Connell/Pantos)
4. Neil Rhein's Spreadsheet Review:
Mr. Rhein discussed the following FY24 pending projects:
Yarn Bombs: the request came from Ms. Gail Gilman. Mr. Dumas thought this was a cool idea
and asked that we bring Ms. Gilman in to discuss this project.
Create a cultural district: Ms. Cusack stated that people need to move into the downtown. Mr.
Pantos said we need cultural things to be cultural. Mr. Rhein stated that they lost the theatre
and that this item was non -active for now on the project list.
North Common Sign— The Committee discussed the North Common sign and noted that the
South Common sign looked nice. Mr. Rhein suggested that Keep Mansfield Beautiful pay for it
and Ms. O'Connell stated that they were already paying for the mural. Mr. Dumas said to put
the costs for this sign and the 25011 panel together and to provide the costs to Mr. Dumas.
Main Street: Mr. Pantos said he would like to have a Main Street and that they currently have a
North Main Street and a South Main Street. Mr. Dumas said he would look into it but that it
would be a challenge regarding deeds that would need to be changed and more.
Main Street Holiday Lights: Mr. Rhein asked if the Main Street Holiday Lights were down and Mr.
Dumas and Mr. Pantos confirmed that they were. Ms. O'Connell stated that it would be great to
keep up the month of January as it will help with the foot traffic from the train station. Mr.
Pantos did not like the idea as they were holiday lights and that the holidays were over.
Bike Repair Station: Mr. Rhein suggested to have a bike repair station along the bike path, he
said there is one at Borderland. This is a handy way for people to repair their bike. Mr. Dumas
agreed. Mr. Rhein suggested to use the Town spot behind Jimmy's pub.
Harry Chase Place: Mr. Rhein stated that the work would start in the Spring
Mural: Ms. O'Connell stated to have the mural cleaned and varnished and that they would need
to do private funding again. They will also apply for grants through the Massachusetts Cultural
Counsel and place an application in for the Non -Profit Gift Fund. They would like to start this in
July. The original artist gave Ms. Brooks a three tier estimate to do the cleaning. Mr. Pantos
asked how long and Ms. O'Connell said about a month. Mr. Rhein asked who paid for it and Ms.
O'Connell said that Mr. Ahern would know. She then mentioned that the price of the paint
would go up too but that paint, supplies and a lift rental were all included in the cost estimates.
She noted that in the Keep Mansfield Beautiful (KMB) account they have $1,700 right now and
should keep that in case something else comes up. The artist said if they put $15,000 into it right
now that they could get another 10 years out of the mural. KMB voted on to do a fundraiser to
raise the money. Mr. Dumas talked about doing that together and suggest to speak with the
original donors and then go hit the banks. Mr. Rhein said the donors are noted on the mural so
they could see who donated. Mr. Dumas said there may be an opportunity for a grant and for
Mr. McDermott to look into that.
Ms. O'Connell is looking to see if there are other muralists to be willing to come and do this. Mr.
Dumas said we don't know the materials that were used and we need to know this so it does
not get messed up. Mr. Rhein suggested to have a contract to list everything so this would avoid
any issues that they had with the artist last time. Mr. Rhein suggested Mr. Dumas to give an
update to the Select Board when he is ready. Ms. Brooks and Ms. O'Connell will work with the
artist to get updates on the progression of his work. Mr. Rhein mentioned that diversity was not
included and we should weigh in on that. He then mentioned that he never got an answer to
whether or not we were a part of the underground railroad. Mr. Rhein there is a Mansfield
Mural Face Book page where you could see old pictures of the mural. Ms. Cusack said there are
around 700 followers.
Mr. Pantos stated that Mansfield has the potential to be like a mini Nantuckety quaint type of
place like Towns in New Hampshire and that the Bike Path is nice.
Design and install new wayfaring signs to direct visitors to downtown Mansfield Update —
Mr. Dumas said the design of the signs were too small so they went larger and that the larger
ones worked better. You can not read and see the text on the signs. These signs will be carried
out throughout Downtown. Mr. Rhein wants to see a draft which shows proposed locations to
review.
S. 2024 Meeting Date Schedule at 5:30pm in Room 2 A/B
Mr. Dumas noted that May 27`h was rescheduled to May 201h, 2024
o1/22/24
o 7/22/24
0 2/12/24
o 8/12/24
0 3/25/24
o 9/23/24
0 4/22/24
o 10/14/24
0 5/20/24
o 11/25/24
o 6/24/24
6. Any items not known 48 hours prior:
Mr. Dumas congratulated Ms. Varricchione on her new job in the Conservation Department, he thanked
her for he time in the Town Managers office and on the Downtown Committee and said that he will miss
her.
Mr. McDermott spoke about the Sign of FaSade $25,000 program for improving store fronts. He noted
that they have started to get applications to be a part of the program. They can provide up to $10,000 to
the Downtown area for improvements. He said if the Committee knows of any other businesses that
would be interested to please let him know. Mr. Rhein has a couple of recommendations to give to him.
7. Adiournment:
Motion: To adjourn the meeting at 6:28 PM.
Kevin Dumas, Hair
Passes 6:0 (Eileen/Pantos)
3 J
Date