Mansfield Selectmen Roundup: Comcast License, Water and Sewer Increases and Taunton State Hospital

The Mansfield Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 to approve a six-percent rate increase for town water and sewage service rates respectively after a presentation from Mansfield Department of Public Works director Lee Azinheira. Azinheira said that the increases was discussed and approved at previous town meetings.

The board also discussed on ways they could improve the underage and illegal drinking problems at the Comcast Center. Many residents, concert goers and former Comcast Center/Tweeter Center/Great Woods staff spoke to the credit of the police forces and Comcast security.  Mansfield Police Chief Arthur O’Neil told selectmen about the security arrangements and efforts of personnel at the venue. Selectman George Dentino discussed ways he felt that the problem could be improved.

The board voted 5-0 to send a letter to the statehouse for a comprehensive report that would disclose the exact effects on the community the closing of the Taunton State Hospital would have on the surrounding communities. State Rep. Jay Barrows and Taunton State Hospital nurse Karen Coughlin talked to the boards about the potential problems the closure would have and stated that there would little to no benefit from the closing.

Town Manager William Ross gave an update on what had been done in 2011 concerning street repair and what is up ahead for this season.

The board voted 5-0 to table a measure that would change the record of management at Qdoba Mexican Grill until next meeting.