Mansfield Town Clerk: Election a Great Example of Town's Ability to Manage

Mansfield town clerk Marianne Staples said election was a success despite record voter turnout and machine problems.

Recently appointed Mansfield town clerk Marianne Staples said this year’s national election in Mansfield was extremely successful, despite numerous obstacles. This year saw a total breakdown of one voting machine as well as glitches in two others. “It was a marathon,” she said. “But I wasn’t alone. There’s a lot of people in between. There was the school helping to set up, the DPW helping to set up and the police doing detail and traffic… and my support staff is second to none.” Staples said that there is a backup machine for just such occasions and the switch was made in time not to affect voter numbers. “We had a mild glitch in one of the other machines as well,” she said. “For the most part [voters] were very patient, even when the …

• Photos (4)

Mansfield Spared Worst of Tree and Debris Damage

According to Mansfield director of public works Lee Azinheira, the town was escaped Sandy with little damage.

  Mansfield, unlike many eastern-facing coastal towns in New England, was spared much of the damage other towns faced during Sandy. “There’s downed trees spread out around the town, but it wasn’t as bad as the storm we had last year at the end of the summer,” Director of the Mansfield Department of Public Works Lee Azinheira said. “I mean, there’s always old trees and every storm weakens them even more, so there were some downed trees in the streets and near people’s homes.” Azinheira said that the damage and cleanup was minimal compared to last year’s storm with Irene, which blocked roads, brought down power lines and sprayed debris everywhere. “There is some cleanup to do,” he said, “but it could have been far worse. I’m glad we didn’t …

• Photos (1)

Mansfield Selectmen Vote to Increase Pickup Fees for Bulky and White Items

White item pickup fees go up from $15 to $20, and bulky items go up from $10 to $15.

The Mansfield Board of Selectmen voted 3-1, with Annino  absent and Dentino 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. Mansfield’s director of the Department of Public Works Lee Azinheira said that this increase in the pick rates in not a way to create revenue, but to cut costs. “We’re not looking to make money,” he said. “We’re potentially bearing costs on this, which is not right. Azinheira said that it currently costs the town $33 to take away white goods and $26.40 for bulky items, from prices set by Waste Management.  “So what we’re doing is proposing a $13 loss,” selectman Jess Aptowitz said…

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Aug. 22 Mansfield Selectmen Roundup: Town Manager Contract, Fincom and Electric Department

The following is from the Mansfield Selectmen's meeting from Aug. 22, 2012.

Mansfield Selectmen appointed John Scott Freeley and Jim Rapozza to the Finance Committee. These were the final empty positions available on the board. Selectmen approved the new three-year contract for town manager William Ross. The contract increases Ross’ salary to $143,000, with an additional $10,000 stipend for the Mansfield Municipal Electric Company and $5,000 for gas mileage. Patrick Smith of General Code presented a plan for Mansfield to codify its bylaws in conjunction with state ordinances and reorder for current redundancies in the bylaws. The system would also make bylaws available online. Gary Babin discussed with the Mansfield Light Commission the current state of affairs with the MMED. He said the department was $2.6 …

• Photos (1)

Water Quality May be Affected by Tank Construction

The following is from the Town of Mansfield.

Notice of Potential Water Impact – August 20, 2012:   On Monday, August 20, 2012, a contractor hired by the Mansfield Water Division will be partially filling an underground water storage tank which may/or may not impact water services in the West Mansfield area.  This work is being done in conjunction with ongoing construction of a new Water Treatment Facility at the Walsh Well Field on Gilbert St. in Mansfield.   Mansfield water customers may experience water discoloration as a result of this activity.  Should this occur, run water (tub, faucet, outdoor spigot, etc.) until color appears clear.  Tip; Running water from multiple sources is known to flush discolored water faster than a single faucet.  As a precaution to protect laundry, …

• Photos (1)

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know in Mansfield for Aug. 13: Road Work, Zambia Tweets and Jamie Fund Sign Ups

Jamie Fund coming up.

1. Monday Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 5 to 8 mph. Monday Night Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. 2. The owners of Mansfield Bead Cache 3. Weather permitting, prep work for the final repaving of Walnut Street is scheduled to start today, according to the Mansfield Department of Public Works. 4. Sign up for the Koko FitClub of Easton 28 DayFitness Challenge. Sign up and get to use the latest Fitness Technology, Koko Smartraining and receive a program customized just for you. 5. Mansfield's Jamie Fund sign ups continue this week, and the deadline of Aug. 25 is fast approaching. Sign up and help …

• Photos (1)

Selectmen Approve Sewage and Water Rate Increases in Mansfield

Rate increases part of a scheduled projection to help pay for capital projects.

The Mansfield Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 on Wednesday, with chair Jess Aptowitz voted against, on two motions that increased water and sewer rates by six-percent respectively, to be implemented June 1 of 2012. Mansfield Department of Public Works Director Lee Azinheira presented the increase to the board and said that the rate increase was discussed in 2006 and in 2010. "We need to continue on the [rate increase] schedule to avoid larger issues in the future,” Azinheira said. Water rates have now increased to by six- percent in the 2013 fiscal year. The rate per household is based on water usage, but year-to-year increases only see a maximum increase of no more than $15 dollars. A 6 percent increase is scheduled until fiscal year 2015, …

• Photos (1)

Street Flushings for March 20 in Mansfield

The following is from the Mansfield Department of Public Works.

Below is the starting list of street areas scheduled for flushing Tuesday, March 20th, 2012. Balcom St. North White Pine Ln. Knight Way Hickory Terr. South White Pine Ln. Pleasant Hollow Dr. Otis St. Mayhew Farm Dr. Whitetail Ln. Janet Ln. Patricia Rd. Village Rd. Lantern Ln. Elm St. Elm Terr. Surry Dr. Lantern Ln.

• Photos (1)

Maple Street Construction to Start Thursday

Railroad replacement at the intersection of Maple and Francis.

The following is from the Mansfield DPW. Replacement of the railroad crossing on Maple Street by Francis Avenue is tentatively scheduled to start January 4, 2012. The existing railroad crossing has deteriorated and is becoming unsafe for both vehicles and train traffic. The road work will require a road closure for approximately three (3) days.  During the Maple Street road closure, traffic will be detoured through Francis Avenue. For a detour map, please refer to the Mansfield website (www.mansfieldma.com) under Notices. The schedule is tentative and is dependent on the weather and on the railroad contractor who is working for the local businesses that utilize the rail line. Questions and comments should be directed to Mark Cook, Highway …

• Photos (1)