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DPW outlines pipeline of projects; Select Board refers four zoning articles to Planning Board and approves warrants
Summary
DPW managers reported on roadway, water, sewer, PFAS remediation and solid-waste work; the board voted 3–0 to refer four zoning articles (ADUs, R‑2→R‑3 map changes, dimensional regulation tweaks, and possible sewer waivers for certain elder‑housing) to the Planning Board and approved routine consent and payroll warrants.
Department of Public Works division managers briefed the Select Board on maintenance and capital projects across water, sewer, highway and public buildings. Highlights included the Route 106 corridor (Phase 1 scheduled to start construction next summer), Balcom Street bridge work progressing toward binder this winter, a bike-trail extension nearing substantial completion, and ongoing inflow/infiltration lining work to reduce sewer flows.
Water division staff said Mansfield operates nine wells with multiple PFAS treatment plants now online (Kate Springs plant online June 2022, Walsh plant online September 2023) and that the Dustin–Prescott PFAS project has secured $8.6 million in financing; the ABOTINI well PFAS remediation and upgrades were described as a $24 million enterprise project expected to come before Town Meeting. The water division described a service‑line inventory program driven by recent EPA lead-and-copper rule revisions and said Mansfield received a $300,000 MassDEP grant to assist with that work.
On solid-waste and recycling, administrators reported contamination rates fell from 11.2% in 2023 to 4.5% in a 2024 audit, household hazardous waste pickups removed about 22,000 pounds of latex paint, and the town’s contract with Wheelabrator runs through December 2027 and will be renegotiated.
The Select Board voted to refer four zoning articles to the Planning Board so that public hearings can be conducted prior to the special town meeting (week of Jan. 6): accessory dwelling unit compliance with state law, targeted R‑2 to R‑3 map amendments, dimensional regulation adjustments to reduce nonconforming lots, and a potential sewer-waiver pathway for age‑restricted/assisted living projects. The motion passed 3–0.
The board also approved the consent agenda and several payroll/vendor warrants recorded in the meeting (town payroll $1,119,076.68; town deductions vendor payroll $349,334.27; and school payroll and vendor warrants with amounts read into the record). One school-payroll vote included an abstention as recorded on the floor. The town manager said staff will provide further documentation about which projects will be funded from free cash and which will be bonded ahead of Town Meeting.
