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Mansfield Fair Rent Commission reviews attorney guidance, outreach plans and CRCOG pilot
Summary
At its April 27 meeting the Mansfield Fair Rent Commission reviewed attorney guidance saying audio recordings of hearings remain acceptable, advanced plans for a Fair Rent pamphlet and website, and discussed a CRCOG regionalization pilot while expressing a preference for keeping services local.
The Mansfield Fair Rent Commission met April 27, 2026, in Town Hall Conference Room B and reviewed attorney guidance on recording hearings, discussed outreach materials and a possible regionalization pilot with the Capitol Region Council of Governments, and scheduled its next meeting for July 28.
Commission member Jessica St. Louis updated the commission that a Fair Rent pamphlet and a companion website are being developed for Mansfield; she said the materials will be shared with the commission for approval before any printing or town distribution. The commission noted outreach materials aim to provide tenants and landlords with clear local resources.
The minutes record that the commission reviewed updates from a conversation with town counsel about procedure. The reported guidance indicated that recording of all hearings and deliberations is required and that audio recording remains acceptable; there was no indication that audio-visual recording is mandatory. The commission also discussed the town has considered adding an additional attorney (not assigned to the Fair Rent Commission) to improve response times, and commissioners reviewed the option of proceeding with hearings when a landlord does not appear.
Members also reviewed preliminary work by the Capitol Region Council of Governments on possible regionalization of fair rent commissions, including pilot programs and potential costs to join. Commission member Wilfred "Will" Bigl said he would prefer to keep services local to Mansfield; no formal action was taken on regionalization at the meeting.
A representative from the Town of Ashford attended to learn how Mansfield's commission operates; no complaints or hearings were reported at this meeting. Commissioner Irene Sheehan moved to adjourn; Martina Wharton seconded. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.
The commission set its next regular meeting for July 28, 2026, 9:30a.m. to 10:30a.m., in person at Town Hall Conference Room B. The minutes noted there are currently no pending complaints that have progressed to hearings.
