HomeMy WebLinkAboutFales Site Committee - 08/25/2015Fales Oil Site Review Committee
August 25, 2015
;EI` ED
All committee members were present: Caitlin Barrows, Dana Hourigan, Gerry 1%&IQmf CE
Olivier Kozlowski, George Pantos, Neil Rhein, Charles Woods and Town Manager Willi
agi
Ross. Im "EP -- - a 0
E!^t G U
First order of business was to appoint a Chairperson of the Committee., 4 . ETiS
/H
Motion: To appoint Neil Rhein as Chairperson (Houriganuiskamp) P'ASSf -.0
Bill Ross, Town Manager provided an overview of the Fales Oil Site property, its current value,
and the mission of the committee, which is to provide the Board of Selectmen with a
recommended best use for the property.
The committee reviewed the property's zoning and the list of allowable uses.
After discussion, the committee agreed that the following possible uses would not be in the best
interests of the town of Mansfield, nor the residents of the abutting neighborhood:
• Conservation
• Forestry
• Residential
• Governmental, Institutional, and Public Service
• Business
• Industrial
The committee members are leaning toward a potential recommendation of agricultural and
recreational use for the property. Ideas that were discussed included a community garden, a farm
stand, a traditional park with benches, a dog park, an area for people to lock up bicycles, and
public restrooms.
The consensus appeared to be that this property could provide a useful gathering space for users
of the bike path and help draw visitors to downtown Mansfield.
In terms of parking, committee members discussed the possibility of using the site for commuter
parking, downtown Mansfield business parking, parking for the park itself, or some combination
of these. No formal consensus was reached, although committee members did discuss the pros
and cons of using the space for commuter parking.
The committee agreed to discuss additional ideas for how to design the site for use as a park in
more detail at the next meeting. That meeting is scheduled for September 8 at 7 pm. After the
next meeting, the plan is to invite members of the public to provide input at the following
meeting.
Motion: To adjourn meeting at 8:30 p.m. (Woods/Pantos) PASSES 7:0
ignature Date