Mansfield Selectmen Roundup: Downtown Parking, Comcast Insurance and Trash Pickup Fee Increase

Mansfield Selectmen voted 4-0 (with Doug Annino absent) to approve a motion for a sign for the Animal Shelter and Friends adoption event in October, to be up from Sept. 7 to the event.

Town manager William Ross and selectmen discussed the downtown-parking situation. Currently, the biggest problem is that many residents who live on North Main, Crocker Street and the Western part of Pratt Street cannot finding adequate parking. Also discussed were the implications of the new condo building currently being built on Old Colony Road.

Michael Feck and Cheryl Collins interview for either a alternate position or the soon-to-be vacant planning board position to be left by Jim Ragazzo when he moves tot he Finance Committee.

Selectman Jess Aptowitz said that he met with members of the Mansfield Fire Department, Mansfield Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Room personnel at Sturdy Memorial Hospital concerning their duties and responsibilities concerning incidents at the Comcast Center.

Ross said that the new pay boxes for the MBTA lot on Winthrop Street are installed and will be operational next week. Representatives from the boxes’ company and leaflets will be provided to help people utilize the system.

Selectmen voted 3-1, with George Dentino voting against, to increase pickup charges for bulky trash items and white items (dishwashers, clothes washers, dryers, etc.) from $10 for bulky items to $15 and from $15 for white items to $20.

Ross said that the new insurance policy for the Comcast Center has been quoted and will be sent back for payment after more review.

Selectmen discussed the possibility of reallocating land for the parcel 97 on Essex Street into two sections, one immediately put under article 97 conservation protection and letting the other section(closer to the street) be put up for further discussion. Selectmen decided to wait until next meeting to make a final decision.

Ross said that the town and the school district are working together to update the phone systems for both departments.

Aptowitz said that Audit Committee has finalized the audit presentations for years 2011 and 2010. They will be presented at the next Board of Selectmen meeting.