Mansfield Selectmen Feb. 15 Roundup

Representatives from the Comcast Center and its owning company New England Sportservice came to ask the Selectmen for an alteration of premises for lots 10 and 11 at the Comcast Center to allow usage of about 144,000 square feet for alcohol sale. The board approved the measure 3-1 with George Dentino against and Kevin Moran absent.

The board approved 4-0 the change of managerial responsibilities from an ex employee to Emily Carr.

The board shared their evaluation of town manager William Ross. In seven catagories, he scored above 9 from most of the selectmen. He had an overall average of 9.82 out of 10.

The board voted 4-0 to keep working with the Attleboro Taunton Home Consortium for another three years starting on July 1, 2012.

Town manager Ross said that the new flagpole is up at the East Common.

Ross also said that the 2010 Mansfield audit report had been submitted to the Audit Committee and work onthe 2011 audit report will start very soon.

The newest vehicle for the town's parking officer has been recieved, and it is a hybrid, which, Ross said, cuts costs for the position.

Ross said the planning subcommittees, led by Dr. Mullins, have completed their discussions this week, the results of which will be available soon.

Selectmen agreed to put a temporary placeholder on the Town Meeting agenda to see how the public feels about turning street lights on that were shut down three years ago for budget reasons.

Selectman Olivier Kozlowski brought forth an idea to Ross to put up at least a summary of the town budget on teh town's Web site. Ross said he would start on the process in the coming week.

Kozlowski also informed the board of a gardening project he and a few other Mansfield citizens want to push through on land on Essex Street. There will be a meeting to determine interest and funding opportunities for the project on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall.

Selectman Jess Aptowitz said that the Crossroads Four Town Veteran's District had their first meeting recently. The second meeting will be in Mansfield on Feb. 21.

Aptowitz also addressed concerns he said residents were bringing to him regarding the South Common Flag. He said the old large flag was taken down after wind had torn it to shreds, and was replaced with a much smaller flag. A new flag, not as big as the old one, but not as small as the current one will be put up going into the spring.

Selectman George Dentino gave a moving performance of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" in memory of the famed singer. Video of it will probably be up on Youtube soon, selectmen agreed.