Week in Review: Trooper Hit on Rt. 495, Selectmen Mull Chocolate Factory's Future, and More

Mansfield Selectmen Discuss Ideas for Chocolate Factory 

Empty since 2011, the old chocolate factory on Oakland Street has become a symbol of what use to be in Mansfield.

With a recent attempt to zone the building for residential use failing at the annual town meeting and no prospects for use in the foreseeable future, the selectmen discussed ways to use the building at their May 29 meeting.

“I know that the proposed reuse failed at town meeting but I think most people in town don't want to see that building razed,” said selectman Olivier Kozlowski, who proposed the discussion on what should be done with the building.

Currently, the factory is still owned by Archer Daniels Midland and the town cannot tell the food processing company what to do with the building. Despite this, the board wished to be proactive if the company decides to sell the property.

Crash on Rt. 495 Sends State Trooper to RI Hospital 

At 7:45 p.m. Thursday evening, a state trooper cruiser was struck by a van near Exit 12 on Route 495 North according to the Massachusetts State Police.

While on Route 495 northbound near Route 140 assisting another officer investigating an earlier motor vehicle crash, a trooper was hit by a van while in his cruiser.

The trooper was transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment. The injuries from the accident are not believed to be serious.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the state police.

Qualters Middle School Drama Receives 14 Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild Nominations

On May 23, the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild announced their nominations for the upcoming MET Awards co-sponsored with Broadway in Boston. Among those nominated were 14 from Mansfield's Qualters Middle School for their performance of Bye Bye Birdie.

This award honors the work of high school and middle school musicals across the state of Massachusetts. 

An awards ceremony will be held on June 11 at the Paramount Theatre in Boston for all nominees. Out of 50 schools entering, Qualters Middle School’s production of Bye Bye Birdie took home more nominations than any other middle school production.

John Nieratko Named Robinson School Co-Principal

Current Robinson School principal Kate Kristenson announced recently that assistant principal John Nieratko will take over as the new co-principal.

Kristenson, who is retiring at the end of the school year, made the announcement in a letter to the school's families posted on the Robinson School website.

"Mr. Nieratko has done an outstanding job as assistant principal of the Robinson School for the past two years. His wide range of experiences in education and business along with his belief that all children can learn made him the number one choice of the committee," Kristenson said.

Nieratko came to Mansfield in 2011 to be the Robinson School's assistant principal after teaching second grade in Attleboro. 

PHOTOS: Mansfield Memorial Day Parade

Monday morning, Mansfield once again honored those who served in the military with the annual Memorial Day parade.

Starting at Memorial Park, the parade made its way towards Route 106 before turning down North Main Street towards the South Common and the Keach Memorial Wall on West Street.

Short speeches were given by Mansfield veterans service agent Heath Hobson and selectmen chairman Jess Apowitz at the wall. After the parade, the public was invited to the Mansfield VFW for refreshments,