Mural Sponsorships Plans Draw Concerns From Selectmen

Work on the Mansfield Community Mural may be underway but a plan to put sponsorships on the wall has drawn concern from the selectmen.

Speaking at the July 10 meeting mural committee members Scott Briganti and Ken Butler explained that the mural was to feature eight sponsors that donate $5,000 to the project on the end of the wall in a gray, faux engraving style.

“It’s much less intrusive, it’s less splashy, there are no corporate colors,” Briganti said.

The logos were expected to take up 48 square feet of space on the 400-foot mural but objections from the selectmen appear to have killed the idea.

“I’m very concern and upset on the amount of advertising on the mural. To me, Mansfield isn’t for sale,” selectman Doug Annino said. “We go at long lengths to scrutinize banners to make sure corporate logos are not on them. I don’t think it’s fair to the townspeople."

Among the issues discussed was the fact that it was not clearly stated during the town meeting presentation for the mural that the logos and names of sponsors were going to be painted on the wall, something Briganti admitted they could have done better at.

“If we could spin back time and do it again we would be much more specific about corporate sponsors,” Briganti said.

Butler defended the sponsors, arguing that it was no different that banners on an outfield wall of a baseball field.

“As a fundraiser for many art projects, we’ve always done something to recognize donors. Any of our sports fields have names and logos on them,” Butler said.

Annino however, argued that a banner is different than a permanent space.

George Dentino was worried that more sponsors could be added down the road. 

“I think space is a premium out there. You start with eight, you’ll end up with 88 down the line. I don’t see that as being a positive thing on that wall,” Dentino said.

Selectman Kevin Moran had no issues with the wall itself but did not feel comfortable with the logos being apart of the final product.

“I have no problem with you starting and I understand the need of sponsorship. In some respects you want something that is iconic. I’m just afraid with the sponsors we’re going to be more NASCAR,” Moran said.

Other fundraising options for the mural include $2,500 for a smaller spot on the wall, $500 to have your likeness placed in the grandstands of a racing track meant to represent the horse track that once stood where the Mansfield Municipal Airport is, and $100 to get your name in very small print on the wall.

Suggestions to recognize the sponsors included a temporary banner to be hung on the wall or a program similar to the one distributed for the Corey Shea Memorial Flagpole.

There were also concerns that the project was started too early before all the money needed was raised. Briganti responded that work needed to start to show people who wanted to donate that the project was going forward. Briganti added that there is money set aside in the event that the mural cannot be completed and the wall has to be restored to it’s previous state.

$31,156 has been raised for the mural with a goal of $50,000. $14,000-$15,000 needed for a key explaining the mural in the North Common was included in the goal.

Briganti said that the mural is on track for 90% completion in August and 100% completion in September weather pending. 

The selectmen hope to revisit the issue at their next meet. after Briganti and Butler discuss alternative ways for giving their sponsors recognition.