Experts Say Town Buildings in Disrepair

Two of Mansfield's seven municipal buildings are so decrepit that spending money on bringing them up to date could be a total waste of resources. A third, an architectural treasure on the coveted National Register of Historic Places, needs structural repairs, updated fire protection, and more current electrical wiring.

A consulting firm has gone over the buildings with a fine toothed comb with the help of Mark Cook, special projects coordinator for the public works department. He and the consulting firm worked to put together a forecast for the town on just how much it will cost to bring the buildings to a condition that reflects current health and safety standards.

Representatives of Facility Engineering Associates reported back to selectmen last week that to accomplish the recommended repairs and updates will cost the town a little over $400,000 over the next 10 years.

Mansfield Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Bill Ross agreed that the money needs to be spent, but the town is also facing of millions of dollars in road repairs. They said turning around some outgoing debt might be the only way to pay for them.

Overall, the buildings with the least amount of work needed are the newest or have had major renovations - the Plymouth Street Fire Station, built in 1996; the library and Council on Aging, built in 1988; the police department, built in 1974 and refurbished in the early 1990's and the town hall; originally built in 1920 as a school and later refurbished as the town hall in the early 1990's.

The buildings in the worst condition are the North Main fire station, built in 1930; the highway garage, built in 1957; and Memorial Hall, previously the old library next to town hall, that houses the school administration offices.

Memorial Hall, on the National Register, is a notable feature in the downtown, presiding over the South Common with its Gothic stone and wood exterior. Architect and selectman Doug Annino called it "one of the most beautiful buildings in Mansfield," and said, "I would hate to see it degraded."

Board member Jess Aptowitz added trying to bring either the highway garage or the North Main Street station up to snuff would be futile, and said complete replacement might be the only way to guarantee taxpayers' money is well spent.

"We need to take the plunge," he said. "Both the North Main and highway garage are in such disrepair."

Member George Dentino agreed, saying, "It's futile to attempt repair (of the two buildings) - there is no way of salvaging the highway department."

"The highway garage should be leveled and we've known that for 15 years," Annino said. "Everyone here has a responsibility to protect our assets. Some may not be replaceable. It's important that we are proactive - it also affects how we are viewed. We want to market ourselves to first rate companies.

"We would be sadly remiss if we ignored this report," he added. "We can make some informed decisions with the report behind us."

Tentative plans surfaced more than 10 years ago for a combined highway garage and fire station, but were never acted on because of financial constraints. Fire personnel have struggled with the old station for years, backing fire engines into bays that are so tight mirrors on the sides of the engines had to be folded up.

Staff at the highway garage have put up with cramped and poorly heated quarters, as well as inadequate space for vehicles and repairs.

"There are debt exclusions coming off," Ross told the board. "We could go back to town meeting and ask if the voters would continue the debt exclusion for roads and buildings. We also have some (debt coming off) within (Proposition) 2 1/2 -- we should look at that and utilize that resource. If you put it into general operations, that money will disappear."

Ross has mentioned several times that he is not in favor of watching as town roads and buildings crumble. "I can't state too strongly my dedication to preserving what the taxpayers have paid for," he said.

He said there is some money set aside in the capital fund for begin a design and build proposal for a new highway facility, and added, "We would also find that with a better facility we would see better productivity. I'm not talking about marble palaces, but we should have a decent working environment."