‘Smart Growth for Mansfield’ supports Streetscape Project

Smart Growth for Mansfield (SGM), a group of local citizens invested in the smart development of Mansfield, fully supports the Mansfield Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements project.

We encourage all Mansfield residents to attend the town meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 8 at E.O. Smith High School.

Residents will have the opportunity to vote to authorize Mansfield to bond $302,000 [and]  to release nearly $1.2 million in federal funds for walkways and streetscaping from E.O. Smith to Storrs Heights.

The project supports a greener, safer, more attractive and more walkable town center for Mansfield. It also supports an extended town identity and connection to those who live in Storrs Heights, on Flaherty Road and on Hanks Hill Road.

It brings the walkability already enjoyed by South Eagleville Road to Storrs Road [Route 195] and brings nearly $1.2 million of federal money to Mansfield.

History

The Mansfield Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements project was submitted to the Windham Region Council of Government in 2003, and ranked behind a Coventry streetscape project.

In 2006, the Coventry Town Council declined to match [the grant] and the award was turned over to Mansfield.

In 2006, the Mansfield Town Council accepted the grant and approved the match. Because the council decided to authorize a bond, a town meeting is required.

Scope of Project

The Mansfield Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements project includes walkway and streetscape improvements on the west side of Route 195 – between Bolton Road and the Liberty Bank Plaza – and  along Flaherty Road between Route 195 and Storrs Heights Road.

The streetscape elements include sidewalks, street lighting, benches and street trees/plantings.

Two enhanced pedestrian crossings – across Route 195 at Hanks Hill Road and at the Liberty Bank Plaza – are also included.

This project is separate from Storrs Center, but is complementary to Storrs Center. More improvements to Storrs Road/Route 195 will come in conjunction with Storrs Center and will be paid for by two grants which have been already awarded.

Bond Authorization/Town Meeting

The town council passed two resolutions appropriating the federal share of the project for $1,173,000 and appropriating the local share of $302,000 via bonds/notes in the same amount to finance the appropriation.

A third resolution was adopted calling for the town meeting.

If voters at the town meeting approve the project, the final step will be for the council to authorize the expenditure.

Posted June 8, 2009

From the Editor: The adopted 2008/09 Capital Fund Budget includes the Mansfield Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements project. To account for anticipated issuance costs, the local share of the project was adjusted to $302,000.

Also, the resolution that adopts the Capital Fund Budget states that, “the portion proposed to be funded by bonds shall be introduced for action pursuant to Section C407 of the Town Charter [which] provides that the issuance of bonds and the appropriation of the proceeds thereof, in an amount not to exceed one percent of the annual budget, may be authorized by the consecutive action of the Council and a Town Meeting.

One percent of the FY2008/09 Budget totals approximately $437,000. Therefore, the $302,000 local share can be authorized by consecutive action of the Council and a Town Meeting.”

For a complete description of the proposal (in PDF format) click here.

For more information about “Smart Growth” groups and projects in Connecticut, click here

Or visit Smart Growth Online at http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/bystate.asp?state=CT&res=1024