Mansfield Selectmen Roundup: Gazebo, FinCom Appointment and Community Garden Update

The Mansfield Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to accept Mansfield resident Lis Christo’s bid for a position on the Finance Committee. The appointment came after extended interviews from each selectmen. The main point of issue was Christo’s ability to be impartial.

The selectmen heard a proposal from Bill Clemmey concerning a piece of property on Gilbert Street near the power substation. Clemmey offered to sell the property to the town, and selectmen decided not to make a move in purchasing the property.

The community garden license has been signed by the selectmen, and will continue in process to put in place the garden which will have plots available for residents to buy to grow their own vegetables.

Selectman Jess Aptowitz said that he wants the town to look at the current tax evaluation system. He said he believes there are many residences that are currently undervalued.

Town Manager William Ross said that the first Joint Town/School meeting went well and is scheduling another in the future. He added that this meeting was more of a meet and greet, but a detailed agenda had been formed to work on for the next.

Ross said that the telephone system for the town and schools is in desperate need of replacing, as he can only find replacement equipment on Ebay. He said this will happen in parts over the next few years.

Aptowitz said he attended a meeting on Tuesday in Easton concerning the regional veterans district.

Ross said that the new North Commons Gazebo is now up. He added that the Mansfield Music and Arts Society is already attempting to schedule an afternoon concert.

Ross said that Rep. Jay Barrows will be meeting with the Foxborough Board of Selectmen next week concerning the tri town sewer system legislation and the recent amendment to allow each town to set its own rate for utility costs within the tri town district.

Ross said that the town council has approved the recent toxic waste superfund issue. The approval came with a release that would exempt from any further costs of cleaning up the site, which was deemed safe in the 1980s for the waste that Mansfield sent to it (which is now being cleaned up). The cost of Mansfield’s waste removal for the site is $2,000.

The board of selectmen voted 5-0 to accept the submitted sign for the Mansfield Gish and Game Association.