HomeMy WebLinkAboutKMB 9/15/2026Y l llt
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"Empowering residents, businesses and government to make Mansfield a greener, cleaner
place to five, work and play."
KEEP MANSFIELD BEAUTIFUL COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date: 15 September 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.
Location: Room 3A/13-Mansfield Town Hall
Attendees: Jeff Ward (Chair), Ana Newell, Janice W ivagg, Pat Colbert, Martha O'Connell, Tobey Lovett
Ludlow, Lisa Chaffee, Kelly Kemp, Danielle Dupre, Kara DesRoche
Welcome & Call to Order
• Meeting call to order at 7:03 p.m.
• Motions made to accept minutes from KMB meeting of 9 June 2026 and approved by committee
members in attendance.
Treasurer's Report
Treasurers Report as of 15 September 2026
Total FY 2026: $15,347.58
Mural Account: $1,297.30
Net Total: $16,644.88
Rrnnkilnwn of Finnncink by KMR Program
Program Name
Town Hall Account
PayPal
PayPal
Expenses
FYT
Fees
Cleanup 2026'
$100.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$100.00
Cleanup 2027
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Flower Barrel Program 2026
$780.00
$0.00
$0.00
$2520.00
$1,740.00
Flower Barrel Program 2027
$10.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$10.00
pg.1
Program Name
Town Hall Account
PayPal
PayPal
Fees
Expenses
FYT
Flower Barrel Program 2028
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Adopt -a -Spot
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Nip Bottle Initiative Stipend
2026
$100.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$100.00
Nip Bottle Initiative Stipend
2027
$600.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$600.00
KMB Administration
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$23.19
$23.19
Family Fun Night
$162.00
$10.00
$.78
$0
$171.22
Total FY 2027
$1,752.00
$10.00
$0.78
$2,543.19
($781.97)
Total KMB Balances Prior Yrs.
$16,129.55
Total FY 2026
$15,347.58
Mural Account
$3,000.36
$1,703.06
$1,297.30
Net Total
$16,644.88
Notes from Treasurer:
• Ana Newell reported spending $1,703.06 of mural account funds. Funds were used towards the
memorial bench and plaque at Fulton's Pond.
• Nip Stipend Funds of $600 were collected for 2027 -new town fiscal year started July 1, 2026.
• Ana Newell reported she has an additional $111 to deposit into the KMB account.
The IONICS /Mitsubishi check for $390.00 was raised for discussion. IONICS /Mitsubishi
performed a great cleanup and there is a question regarding the outstanding donation check meant
for KMB that was sent to Keep MA Beautiful. KMB does not have an agreement with Keep
Massachusetts Beautiful to accept funds on our behalf. Can these funds be applied towards our
KMB fees or shared storage costs with Keep MA Beautiful? We have done something similar
with these funds in the past. Ana will follow up with Neil Rhein.
• Jeff Ward will follow up with Neil Rhein on question about KMB's need to pay fee to be a
member of Keep America Beautiful. We are already members of Keep MA Beautiful.
Welcome Lisa Chaffe
We welcomed Lisa Chaffee as an official member of the KMB Board. Lisa is also a member of the
Mansfield Garden Club and helped out KMB at the Family Fun Night in July. Jeff Ward would like us to
have an updated group photo taken at the October meeting for the website.
pg. 2
Open KMB Board Position
KMB currently has an open board position. An item for the open position was included in the last KMB
Newsletter. Kelly Kemp previously suggested providing an informational handout that can be given to
interested applicants. She indicated how important it is to invite potential candidates to a KMB meeting.
Fundraising 2027
Kara DesRoche and Jeff Ward will resume their work on fundraising efforts and finalize letters.
Discussion ensued about the timing of letter distribution and personalization. Agreement that the
personalization was a nice touch and should continue. Suggestion was made to simplify the levels of the
donation amounts and include a mention that any small amount outside the specified levels would be
welcome. KMB used Allegra in the past for letter printing. Pat Colbert mentioned that Allegra moved
their location fi•om Mansfield to Franklin. Since Allegra provided KMB with excellent service for many
years, we agreed we should continue to use their services.
Jeff Ward mentioned that Bluestone Bank is taking applications for grant monies for non -profits through
their charitable foundation. Since KMB no longer has 5010 status, we may not be able to apply. Jeff
plans to contact Kim Thomas, who manages the grant process for Bluestone Bank, to inquire if a
grant recipient is required to be a 501 c3 organization or if there is opportunity to receive a donation
outside of this initiative.
Conversations/Initiatives/Miseellaneous
Nancy Wall Memorial Bench and Plaque
Ana Newell discussed the location of the site for the memorial bench placement with DPW and Nancy's
husband which was changed from North Common to Fulton's Pond. Both sites are near Nancy's former
residence on West Street. Wording for the plaque inscription attached to the memorial bench was to
include Nancy's birth year and death year dates (1945-2025) as requested by Nancy's husband, David
Love. Costs for the memorial bench and attached plaque were funded through the Mural Account.
We need to coordinate with Nancy's husband and get a bench dedication date on the calendar.
At a past meeting, the Board discussed placing a plaque in Nancy's memory on the mural wall. Nancy's
husband had also mentioned placing a plaque indicating Nancy's connection to the mural on a tree in
North Common. Since a plaque on the mural would require spec design and commissioning someone to
do the painting on the existing mural, we discussed alternatives. There is a dedication plaque at Harry
Chase Place that may be the best alternative. Kelly Kemp volunteered to explore the costs of a similar
picture plaque for Nancy Wall.
Town Manager Invitation
Jeff Ward will reach out to the new Town Manager, Mallory Aronstein, with an invitation to our next
KMB meeting. Mallory will be invited to attend our upcoming 10/13 meeting or the 11/17 meeting.
Nit) Bottle Recycling
Disposal of nips is still a concern. There was a past bill sponsored at the MA State level banning the sale
of nips. Janice Wivagg communicated with Neil Rhein (Executive Director, Keep MA Beautiful), about a
campaign to modernize the current Bottle Bill. Janice will continue to follow up with Neil to find out if
there is any update on that bill movement.
pg. 3
Neil Rhein previously reported that Senator Paul Feeney is sponsoring a bill that would include education
regarding moving vehicles and trash disposal. Senator Feeney stopped by the KMB Cleanup Picnic in
April to promote support for the bill. Janice Wivagg reported that a bill is making its way through The
Ways & Means Committee on Beacon Hill that may help fund monies for highway cleanup. Neil Rhein is
a member of that committee.
Ongoing Programs
Traffic Box Wrap Project Revisited - Pat Colbert originally 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 Ana Newell inquired at Allegra. Neither vendor currently
produces wraps. Follow up will occur to seek other potential vendors.
Home Depot Community Outreach Program — Kara DesRoche is working with Home Depot
Community Liaisons (Zachary & Doug) to discuss on all going KMB/HD partnership ideas. Kara has
been working with Home Depot and the JJ School to procure a water buffalo. Kara reported that HD is
providing new fencing for the updated Jordan Jackson School science garden. Kara has also been
working with the JJ Principal and 2 science teachers on the garden projects. The hope is to eventually
connect the science garden with the pollinator garden that was established by KMB. The pollinator garden
was pushed back by plowing last winter. We may want to consider placing plow sticks around the garden
before this winter sets in to prevent more damage. Kara plans to do a write up on the garden project in
the newsletter when the science garden is ready.
Home Depot did not want KMB to publish recognition for their fencing contribution and other work
although KMB might consider making mention on our website, so residents are aware.
Flower Barrel Program —Neil Rhein provided content in the town newsletter on this program as well as
a wrap-up on the Spring Cleanup.
KMB received some feedback on the watering cans that were purchased at a Tractor Supply for the
downtown program. A single sampling indicated some paint may have some lead content. If KMB
decides to re -order watering cans in the future, we will check paint contents with the vendor.
We Noticed Program — Pat Colbert mentioned considering Mansfield Meadows on Stearns Ave as a
potential candidate for the award recognition.
Painted Barrels Program — No new discussion.
Adopt -a- Street — Brownie Troop contacted KMB to adopt a street. May be a safety issue for children.
Community Roots Program_ The free trees from Patriot Subaru in No Attleboro were distributed
during the 2026 Spring Cleanup Picnic. Danielle Dupre will follow up with Neil Rhein about program
continuity. KMB will need to decide how to award new trees in the future. Do we want a raffle or signup7
TBD.
Adopt -a -Spot Program — There are two garden sites that still need permanent adoption: the Flammia
Square Memorial on Rte. 106 near the Jeep Dealership and the Mansfield Bike Path gardens. The sites
have perennial plants and require seasonal maintenance.
Site Location
Caretaker
Contact
Email
Garden at Entrance to Mansfield Public
Presentato Landscape
Library
Company
Peter Presentato
cetera rresentatolandwat) inng.com
Island at School Street and Old Elm in
West Mansfield
Mansfield Elks
Nikki Benencourt
NMR1771(alhotmail.com
Superintendent's Butterfly Garden at Town
Hall
The Garden Lady
Stephanie Hooper
steohaardenlady@yahoo com
East Mansfield Business Sign - Corner of
Riverview
East Street and Etc. 106
LandscapeslGuerrini
Chelsey Buckley
ebuckleyt?riverviewco.com
Flagpole Garden at East Common and East
Common Sign
The Garden Lady
Stephanie Hooper
steplrgardenladv a yahoo.com
Fulton's Duck Pond and Two Memorial
Family of Matthew C.
Linda Mercier -
Rocks
McCue
Janssen
IindamercierjansscncOverizon.act
Garden at Verizon Bldg. on North Main -
Samoset Ave
The Garden Lady
Stephanie Hooper
stenheardenladytrAyahoo.com
Willow Street Island
Ward Family
Jeff Ward
iward1010(aPmail.com
Island at Welcome to West Mansfield Sign
Todd Richardson
Todd Richardson
Iodd ir)carichardson.Coal
Small Garden on West Street near Fulton's
Bridge
Danielle Dupre
Danielle Dupre
danidupa ggmail.com
Corner of Main Street and Cottage Street -
next to Happy Hollow
Celia Herschlag
Celia Herschlag
celia.herschlag n gmaii.com
Carnevalli Square Veteran's Memorial -
Pratt Street by GMC dealership
Kristen Shannon
Country
Krisse614(ayahoo.com
Devine Square - Winthrop Street after
embankment
Stephen/Kerry Smith
Stephen Smith
Kssmilh2(a}verizon.net
Flammia Square - Rte. 106 after under pass
on right side near Jeep Dealer
TBD
Mike McCarthy Memorial Bench - Fulton's
Pond
Julie McCarthy
Julie McCarthy
juliemecarthy968 ggmail.com
Jessica
Small site at intersection of Fruit Street
Jessica Walsh/Cindy
Walsh/Cindy
.and Hall Street near Mansfield airport.
Buckley
Buckley
jbuckley2390 agmail.com
Butterfly { Pollinator Garden at Jordan
Friends of Jordan
Jackson School
Jackson
Kara Hanks
kart.lianks@gmail.com
Mansfield Bike Path- Fruit Street enhance
TBD Lisa Chaffee
and Rails for Trails Bridge
(interim)
Fall. Clean Up- Registration is OPEN on the KMB website. Event dates: Nov 1-Nov 15.
Participants can register now or contact into @DkeepmansfieldbeaLit ift Ixom. For more information
check the KMB Clean up page on the website. The Fall banner will be posted over Rte. 106 for the
last 2 weeks in October. There are plenty of supplies at our storage facility. Pat Colbert will place
supplies for participants to pick up on her front porch.
2027 Spring Cleanup Ideas — Since the 2027 Spring Cleanup will be the 20a' Anniversary event, the
group started a list of potential ideas to make the event more memorable and to help increase
participant numbers. Projected date: Saturday, 24 April 2027. This date is the last Saturday of school
vacation week. Further discussion at upcoming meetings.
Marketing Ideas for upcoming Spring Cleanup:
pg. 5
• Promo - Start promoting early (after the holidays) — Save the Date
• Social media- Post on various websites, FB, Instagram
• Venue selection—Fulton's Pond vs. South Common
• Recruit Volunteers - school groups to get more volunteers- Environmental Club, National Honor
Society, Sports Teams, Band
• Promote Nostalgia- Do you remember the Mansfield cleanup when growing up?
• Displays - Gather collection of former cleanup t-shirts for display
• Deploy litter signage to problem areas
• Signage - Digital signs posted around town announcing dates, signup opportunities
• Outreach - Advertise dates with local preschools
• Write up in the Town Manager's newsletter
• Write up in the school superintendent's newsletter and the school principals' newsletters
• Ask Paul Feeney to send a message to his followers
• Announcements - Large eye catching 2-sided signs/painted and placed at North Common and
South Common intersections
• Painted signs in the shape of the volunteer's T-shirt
• Colorful flyers posted around town with graphics vs. just words
... .......... I.........................
Activity Ideas for Spring Clean up After Party:
• A band, ice cream truck, food truck, face painting
• Photo booth
• Raffle
• Rent a Jumpy House or Inflatable Slide (maybe we could get one donated?)
• Lawn Games: Cornhole, Giant Jenga, etc,
• Meet and greet with Paul Feeney, Town Manager, and any other local "celebrities"
• Recruit volunteers to help on picnic day with activities.
Motion made to adjourn meeting and approved by all members.
Meeting Adiourned: 9:06 p.m.
Next Meeting Date: Tuesday,13 October 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.
Minutes approved on:
Secretary signature:
pg. 6