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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKMB 04/07/2026RECEIVED TOWN 01-ERKS OFFICE 2026 JUN 1 I P 2 4 5 I A NSF IELD W9 CI:U SI- TTS Empowering residents, businesses and government to make Mansfield a greener, cleaner place to live, work and play. KEEP MANSFIELD BEAUTIFUL COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes Meeting Date: 7 April 2026 @ 7:00 p.m. Location: Room 3A/B-Mansfield Town Hall Attendees: Jeff Ward (Chair), Ana Newell, Kelly Kemp, Mike Healey, Janice Wivagg, Pat Colbert, Martha O'Connell, Danielle Dupre, Kara DesRoche, Tobey Lovett Ludlow Welcome & Call to Order • Meeting called to order at 7:08 p.m. • Motions made to accept minutes from KMB meeting of 10 March 2026, Approved by committee members in attendance. Treasurer's Report Treasurers Report as of 7 April 2026 Total FY 2026: $14,200.70 Mural Account: 3$ ,000.36 Net Total: $17,201.06 Breakdown of Financials by KMB Program Program Name Town Hall ;Account PayPal , PayPal Fees Expenses FYT Cleanup,2026 $0 $0 $0 $591.92 ($591 92) Flower Barrel Program 2025 $240.00 $0 $0 $5,239.22 ($4,999.22) Flower Barrel Program 2026 , $180.00 $0 $0 $0 $180.00 Adopt.a.Spot , $18.00 $0 $0 $46.21 ($28.21) Nip Bottle Initiative Stipend 2025 $1,000.00 $0 $0 $0 $1,000.00 Nip Bottle Initiative Stipend 2026 $2,650.00 $0 $0 $0 $2,650.00 pg. 1 Program Name Town Hall Account PayPal PayPal Fees Expenses FXT KMB Administration $1,415.00 $136.48 $0 $1,415.00 $136.44. Family Fun Night $122.00 $40.00 $1.07 $169.39 ($8.46) Due from Keep MA Beautiful ', $518.40 $0 $0 $0 $518.40 Total FY 2026 $6,143.40 $176.48 $1.07 $7,461.78 ($1,142.97) Total Balances Prior Yrs. $15,343.67 Total FY 2026 $14,200.70 Mural Account $3,000.36 $3,000.36 Net Total $17,201.36 Notes from Treasurer: Ana Newell is following up with Dubbs and Bristol Liquors as nip donations from these two businesses are late. Bristol Liquors was recently sold to a new owner, Patel. Some expenses for the 2026 Spring Cleanup are reflected in the financials for April: new T-shirts ($1300.00), new gloves ($240.00), new banner for Route 106 ($575.). The price for new grabbers increased significantly and the committee members agree that we should not purchase new ones for this cleanup event. Recommendation was to ask the participants to bring their grabbers from years past. Messaging to participants who pick up supplies will be "if you don't need a grabber, don't take one due to our limited supply". Pat Colbert indicated that there are approximately 700 bags; if more are required, she can make requests to DPW. Fundraisine 2026 Kara Hanks will be working on fundraising after the Spring Cleanup and picnic. Committee members agree we should only solicit passive donations during the picnic event as it is a "thank you" event for the participants. Plans will be to put the QR Code on the donation jar and bring to the picnic. Ana Newell reminded us that the donations using the QR Code go through PayPal. She tried to request a VENMO account for KMB, but it needs to be tied to a cell phone. Danielle Dupre offered to investigate an opportunity for KMB to get a Google Voice # that can be tied to a VENMO account for future events. New Conversations/Initiatives Nancy Wall Memorial Bench and Plaque — Ana Newell met with and discussed the location of the site for the memorial bench placement with DPW and Nancy's husband. Since Nancy Wall spearheaded the original project for the creation of the town mural, it was decided that the memorial bench will be placed in North Common, to the left of the gazebo, facing the mural wall. A tree fiom the Community Roots Program will be planted near the bench. Ana is working with Andy Littig and Josh Reinke from DPW on details. DPW will install the cement pad required for bench placement. Wording for the plaque inscription, that will be attached to the memorial bench, will include Nancy's birth year and death year dates (1945- 2025) as requested by Nancy's husband, David Love. pg. 2 At a past meeting, the committee discussed placing a plaque in Nancy's memory on the mural wall. . There is 3K in remaining funds in the mural account that can be used towards payment for the pad installation, bench and plaque costs. Kelly Kemp reached out to artist Ian Gaudreau to inquire if he is interested in painting a plaque or other meaningful object such as a flower barrel on the mural. Ian agreed to investigate and bid on a price for the work. Kelly will follow up with Ian. Nip Bottle Recycling - Disposal of nips is still a concern. The dispensers to discard used nips at the town liquor stores are underutilized, Nips are the top items collected during KMB cleanups. The current Nip Bottle Stipend Program was the result of a compromise from liquor stores to continue nip sales. There was a past bill sponsored and proposed at the MA State level banning the sale of nips. Janice Wivagg communicated with Neil Rhein (Executive Director, Keep MA Beautiful), about an initiative campaign to modernize the current Bottle Bill. Janice forwarded email about Bottle Bill Update Campaign needing signatures. A message was included urging residents to sign a petition that would modernize the 43-year-old 5-cent deposit and include nips for the first time. Neil reported that he is cautiously optimistic about the new bill. Neil provided an email link for more info and to advocate for the bill; wwvL. kemassutifuhora/L_ Neil also relayed that Senator Feeney is sponsoring a bill that would include education about moving vehicles and trash disposal. Recommendation was made to ask Neil or Senator Feeney to stop by the picnic to promote support for the bills. Ideas were also discussed about new possibilities that could be explored to help recycling efforts such as a Phish WaterWheel Day, Green Day and including a Black Earth Compost booth at a future picnic. Area Beautification Opportunities — Tobey Lovett Ludlow asked that this new item be added to the potential new conversations/initiatives list last meeting. She cited some areas in town that are unkept eyesores (i.e. the Grain Mill building and parking lot area and lot beside the old downtown fire station). Grain Mill building is near Harry Chase Park that is maintained by DPW. These areas should be considered for some cleanup efforts by groups during the April cleanup. Since they are in the downtown area (Precinct 5), Janice Wivagg will work with Pat Colbert to identify potential cleanup group assignments. Note that the lot beside the old fire station is privately owned. Tobey is also working with the Primrose School, The school would like a barrel that the children can paint and could possibly be used for Family Fun Night. More information on this at our next meeting. Open KMB Board Positions — KMB currently has two open board positions that can hopefully be filled by actively advertising them during the Spring Cleanup and Family Fun Night events. An item for the open positions was included in the latest KMB Newsletter. Kelly Kemp thinks we need an informational handout that can be given to interested applicants. She indicated how important it would be to obtain contact information and invite potential candidates to a KMB meeting. Ongoing Programs Traffic Box Wrap Project Revisited - Pat Colbert worked with designer Karen Reardon to create the Select Board approved design for a KMB funded traffic box wrap at the corner of Pratt Street and Rte. 106 across from Caanan Fuel. The box was prepped for the wrap installation in 2025 and the initial company who was slated to install the wrap could not deliver. The wrap must be installed in warm weather. Pat Colbert inquired at Bay State and they do not currently produce wraps but may be able to recommend a vendor. Ana Newell agreed to reach out to Shannon at Allegra to see if there is any company interest in producing the final product and installing a wrap at the site. Allegra also pg. 3 opened a new office in Franklin after closing the former Brockton location Home Depot Community Outreach — Kara DesRoche is working with Home Depot Community Liaison (Zachary) to discuss KMB/HD partnership ideas. Kara proposed that HD sponsor a corporate cleanup activity along Rte. 140. That activity was welcomed by Home Depot and would need to be scheduled. Home Depot may also want to sponsor the picnic after the cleanup. Discussion included asking HD to provide 2K towards cleanup supplies and/or providing coupons to guests and sending HD reps to the picnic to man a HD booth or perhaps do a small hands-on type of event as entertainment and education for the cleanup/picnic participating children. There is also opportunity for Home Depot to donate materials for the Pollinator and Science Gardens at the Jordan Jackson School. The former Science Garden needs a complete overhaul as it was neglected for several years. Fencing and other gardening materials need replacement. JJ Principal, Diane DeGrassa, organized a parents group with Kara to support the project and on -going garden maintenance. Watering plants over the summer months has been an obstacle in the past. Kara mentioned utilizing the Summer Champs Program may be an option to help solve the watering issue. Jeff Ward, Kara DesRoche and Danielle Dupre will meet to discuss best picnic options so Kara can follow up with HD. Flower Barrel Program — Pat Colbert is promoting and soliciting downtown businesses for the 2026 season so pansies can be ordered from Patrick Lyons Nursery. Mike Healey said inventory of existing flower barrels is needed. No barrels were replaced last year, and Pat does not want to exceed 118 sponsored barrels as she does not want to exceed the current level of maintenance activity needed during the spring/summer/fall seasons. Barrels are usually placed and planted before the Spring Cleanup Event (weather dependent). Pat and Mike will coordinate with DPW on getting the barrels placed and Pat will send email to the committee about barrel placement and planting dates so members who are available can assist with planting. Ana Newell reminded Pat that Fine Landscaping took over the retail space formerly used by Bay State Eye. May be an opportunity for a new barrel sponsor. Pat also mentioned that she would not solicit sponsorship from former sponsors who did not pay for their flower barrels last season. We Noticed Program — Jeff Ward mentioned that Dr. Lynch who owns Bay Sate Eye was responsible for the church renovation beside the old retail location on N Main Street. The church was a historical site and could be a future featured item for the program. Committee members discussed focusing on this site and similar sites downtown that have been renovated. Kelly Kemp, Kara DesRoches and Danielle Dupre try to keep photos updated on the website. Epix and Lawanda C66 recently updated their painted windows with springtime themes. Catman Caf6 has had a facelift and recently placed potted plants along their roofline. Adopt -a -Spot Program — The triangle site on Fruit Street is now formally accepted as an AaS site. There were Christmas type decorations still on the site that will likely be removed during a springtime site cleanup. There are two garden sites that still need adoption: the F►ammia Square Memorial on Rte. 106 near the Jeep Dealership that was formerly maintained by Mary Dalton's Girl Scout Troop and the small garden on West Street near the Fulton's Pond Bridge. Ana inquired at the Jeep Dealership; they have no interest in maintaining that Rte. 106 garden site. The site on West Street is becoming an eyesore. pg. 4 Recommend that we take AaS signage and remove the West Street site from the program as trucks have run into the garden area and it's becoming a site with local trash accumulation. Janice also mentioned DPW may have work plans in that area as the bridge needs maintenance. Both sites have perennial plants and require seasonal maintenance. Painted Barrels Program — Kelly Kemp requested that we contact DPW for 5 new primed barrels so they can be used at the Spring Cleanup picnic. They are needed for extra trash disposal during the event. We should plan to have 5 freshly primed barrels available each year going forward as barrels rust and need replacement, Kelly also mentioned using the white barrel across from the Catman Caf6 for signatures FFN. That barrel is always full and would need to be replaced by DPW with an alternative barrel for the interim. Community Roots Program_ The free trees from Patriot Subaru in No Attleboro are currently being held at Anna Newell's house and are growing well. The business is tied to the National Subaru/Arbor Day Foundation (ADF). Trees will be planted this Spring (i.e. Kid's Planting Day/Earth Day). A lottery program for the trees was announced on social media and in the Town Newsletter. Danielle Dupre placed a Google form on the KMB website for applicants to submit a summary of their proposed tree planting location, type of tree desired and why they would be the best recipient and tree steward. Danielle Dupre reported there were 54 entry requests, and 9 entries were selected as best candidates to receive a tree. The committee members voted on the best entries and Danielle will notify winners so they can pick up their tree during the picnic event on 25 April. Ana Newell will deliver the trees to the picnic. A planting guide needs to be developed and provided to the winners. A KMB watering will also be gifted to the winners. Litter Busters Program — Program used to be spearheaded by Neil Rhein and Mike Healey. Janice Wviagg will contact Mike Spath about possible Ionics ad -hoc cleanup. Xfinity expressed interest in doing a cleanup event. Suggestion was made that they use the website form if they want to do a cleanup on 25 April. 2026 Spring Cleanup — Saturday, April 25, 2026 Jeff Ward submitted the events application for permits in January and permits were approved. Picnic will be held on South Common. Mike Healey submitted the application for required permit to the Board of Health and permit was approved (Permit # CEF-26-001). Kelly Kemp has the updated project plan with tasks that need attention and will send out to committee members. - Banner was placed over Rte. 106 announcing Spring Cleanup and Registration for 2 weeks. Cleanup time 9:00-11:00 a.m. Registration for cleanup will close around 15 April so assignments can be provided by Precinct Leaders by 20 April. Danielle will monitor inbox and make sure message for late sign-ups will indicate that participants to go to South Common on cleanup morning to get an assignment. No T-shirts are available at the South Common that morning — gloves and bags only. Pat Colbert offered to help with the late sign-ups starting at 8:30. Trash drop-off at Town Hall begins 10:30-11:00. Pizza arrives from Cousins between 10:30-11:00. Jeff Ward speaks around noon. - MEMA and Community Sports Groups were contacted by Pat Colbert to announce Spring Cleanup date. - Mike Healey will contact Stop & Shop for some picnic volunteers. Mike will procure the waters needed for the picnic from Stop & Shop and Shaw's. pg. 5 SRI ® ® t a Mike Healey and Pat Colbert will take a supply inventory. Kelly will send list of supply needs to Mike. Some items needed: 3 tables, tent, keys to Town Hall, games from Park & Rec, Precinct map, traffic cones from DPW, extra trash cans and 1 recycle barrel for water bottles. -Ana Newell will bring a table, trees- nd lawn games. Kara DesRoches will also bring a table. Committee should consider purchasing at least 1 more table for future use so we don't rely on committee members to bring tables. -Danielle Dupre will reach out to Home Depot to see if they have interest in sponsoring T-shirts or grabbers. Suggestion was made to see if Home Depot might provide a gift card for picnic raffle. We want to recognize Home Depot if they contribute to picnic or cleanup activities/supplies. Still TBD. - Kelley Kemp contacted the photographer for Spring Cleanup and picnic activities. Kelley also will get picnic supplies fiom BJ's. - Jeff Ward ordered pizzas from Cousins Pizza. He will set up Zoom call before the Cleanup and post events. - Park & Rec needs to be contacted for games. Will Teresa & Neil Rhein bring games to picnic? Neil will bring PA, music and promotional materials. Suggestions were made to contact the Marching Band to see if they could play and see if we can get someone to do face painting at the picnic. TBD. U_pcomine Suggested KM B Meeting Dates for 2026 Tuesday, 7 April 12 May - TBD 16 June - TBD Motion made to adjourn meeting and approved by all members. Meeting Adiourned: 9:07 p.m. Next Meeting Date: 12 May 2026 @ 7:00 p.m. (cancelled) Deferred to 9 June 2026 Minutes approved on: Secretary signature: pg. 6