Mansfield Conservation Land Dispute Causes Debate

The Mansfield Board of Selectmen discussed the possibility of changing the use of land on Essex Street (parcel 97) designated at the 2012 town meeting for article 97 conservation protection.

Selectmen chair Olivier Kozlowski said that, while the town meeting vote gave the land to the board, it specifically gave them permission to have the ability to put the land in conservation and did not dictate that they have to.

“One of the proposed plans was to create a lot A and a lot B that would split,” he said. “This plan puts [the back half] under article 97 and leaves the front portion of to be determined.”

Kozlowski said that the parcel could be sold for homes and real estate, which town manager William Ross said could sell for an estimated $155,000 per lot.

“That could be money in the town coffers that we could use,” Kozlowski said.

President of the Mansfield Natural Resources Trust Lou Andrews said he disagreed.

“It was clear people voted to transfer this land to the conservation commission,” he said. “People had the opportunity to decide to split the land at the town meeting. I believe the article was written so you could transfer it all, not just part of it. I wish you would follow the direction of the town meting and vote to sign the document to transfer the property.”

Selectman Kevin Moran agreed with Andrews, saying that the issue was resolved at the town meeting.

“We should’ve made that determination before we went to town meeting,” he said. “I just don’t like splitting hairs like that.”