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Select Board authorizes eminent-domain order for School Street reconstruction
Summary
The Select Board authorized an order of taking and eminent-domain acquisition of temporary and permanent easements tied to a planned School Street reconstruction project described as a $5,000,000 construction effort; board approved motion to acquire rights of way and to award damages as specified in the order of taking.
The Town of Mansfield Select Board authorized an order of taking and directed staff to execute documents needed to acquire rights of way and easements for reconstruction of School Street.
Attorney Timothy Crowley, representing proponents of the project, told the board the School Street reconstruction is a $5,000,000 project that was included on the town meeting warrant and will include temporary and permanent easements from the West Street intersection through the section that approaches Route 140. Crowley said design costs were paid and that the construction funding and project selection are part of the town’s annual project process; he described the work area as running “from the West Street intersection at School down to right before it changes to State Highway before you approach Route 140.”
The select board moved to acquire by eminent domain “for municipal purposes, more specifically for use as right of way easements for roadway improvements, including but not limited to construction, drainage, utility, access, and or related other purposes as authorized by articles 13 and 14 of the Town of Mansfield 2025 special town meeting held on 01/09/2025” and to authorize the select board to execute any documents necessary to effectuate the takings. The motion also authorized the select board to award damages to affected owners as specified in the order of taking and to record a plan of easements prepared by Russell J. Bousquet dated 10/25/2024.
A board member asked clarifying location questions; staff confirmed the work will encompass the Spring Street intersection area and run near existing local landmarks referenced on the record. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote on the record. The select board recorded that damages per owner are specified in the order of taking and that the plans and order will be recorded at the Bristol County Registry of Deeds.
The transcript records no contested objection on the record; staff said they will proceed with the necessary documentation and recording steps identified in the order of taking.
