Board of Selectman Receptive on New Proposal For Mansfield Mural

The Mansfield Mural Committee and selectmen reached an agreement on how to move forward with the proposed mural on Route 106 concerning the appearance of large donor names and murals at Wednesday night’s slectmen meeting.

An earlier proposal for the wall would have had corporate logos, from eight sponsors donating $5,000 each, taking up to 48-square-feet of space on the 400-square-foot mural, an idea the Board of Selectmen shot down on a July 10 meeting.

“I’m very concerned and upset on the amount of advertising on the mural. To me, Mansfield isn’t for sale,” selectman Doug Annino said at that meeting. “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."

Now, the proposal would have the names of the donors appear it two panels on the North Common, instead of the wall itself, an idea the selectmen supported.

“I’m really appreciative of the design with this panel. I tend to agree that the original design was over the top,” said Selectman Olivier Kozlowski.

The panels will also include historical descriptions of Mansfield to explain what’s painted on the wall.

“I really like this correction,” said selectman Kevin Moran. “It give [the mural] more gravitas and allows teachers to take their classes to the mural to learn about the history of the town.

Selectman Jess Apowitz agreed, saying it “becomes a learning tool for everybody. It makes the wall a whole lot different. It makes it a history lesson. The point that education is getting on there is key.”

The Mural Committee has lost one sponsor over the change in proposals, but has raised over $30,000 out of its goal of $50,000.

“I think it’s classy,” said Selectman Doug Annino. “[It will] give visitors something to walk away with.”

What do you think of the new proposal for the Mansfield Mural? Let us know in the comments below.