Mansfield School Building Project Takes Another Step Forward

With a vote of 5-3 Monday, the Mansfield Planning & Zoning Commission ruled that the Town Council's proposal for the school building project was in compliance with the .

"I think it is important to point out that an affirmative vote on this referral does not in any way serve as an endorsement of the idea that we need new schools," P&Z Chair JoAnn Goodwin said. "That needs to be clear. ...What we're voting on is simply a land-use decision," she said.

The :

• Renovations to the ;

• Construction of two new elementary schools on the and sites, including demolition of the existing buildings and the acquisition of adjacent property if necessary; and

• Closure of , the future use of which is undetermined at this time, according to town records.

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With the commission's decision, the project remains on track for a November referendum.

"It really is up to the voters of the town," commission member Katherine Holt said. "It's not up to us to decide whether we have these [schools]," she said.

Binu Chandy, Bonnie Ryan, Holt, Gregory Lewis and Kenneth Rawn ultimately voted in favor of the council's referral.

Peter Plante, Goodwin and Vera Stearns Ward were opposed.

The Town of Mansfield will hold its next informational meeting on the project on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the