[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6229361,"mediaKeyId","3464025-99282f4a6f19fab174545fa829ab9e2c","parentId",3464025,"title","Mansfield honors Officer Christopher Sorge and neighbor James Spencer for response to Willow Street fire","audioSeconds",522,"startMs",2608000,"endMs",3130000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464025-99282f4a6f19fab174545fa829ab9e2c&start=2608&end=3130","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464025-99282f4a6f19fab174545fa829ab9e2c/thumbnail_2608000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6229361/Massachusetts/Mansfield-honors-Officer-Christopher-Sorge-and-neighbor-James-Spencer-for-response-to-Willow-Street-fire","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229361-6bf27312c3960823f9546bbf0be6142b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952779&Signature=MyfMnAbfkv97wNFQ4ONNviXvCHIVPPLsOl4~DgwNWmPE7oFJmg8PeFjkFRtNJY55s8u2BZp8kxnMeIY1QtRluaO-7MdQ10yaquvyc3mZp3VvLV5uUY9TjHTaJ0zBBbhhVT-evuplwiRo1~CuVrsYxFsrCA~KG0aiRmvjmyB7J1PI13lzXXnULmmlcbRJQZqS4g6brUvlOYnXBbgyx6Sdw33lFauiImgVyRRVMg4qknQq~k2IQy5JdKmHYhf3PjhofUaoX4hoI44VI1BFMXFItJ1DDUTqPIyeIuuW11b-7bSM4Ft~jaNonPJXvQljapMKsOXjcjTJTv4cI0gNweGdqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Mansfield, MA","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Mansfield Select Board and public-safety leaders presented citations and proclamations Wednesday recognizing Police Officer Christopher Sorge and neighbor James Spencer for their responses to a wind‑driven structure fire on Willow Street on April 20, 2025.

Officer Christopher Sorge was commended for arriving first on scene, providing an on‑scene size‑up and radio report that recommended a second alarm, and for helping firefighters by deploying and hand‑dragging a four‑inch supply line and assisting with water‑supply operations under dangerous, wind‑driven conditions. Town fire investigators and chiefs told the board those actions materially aided early fire‑ground operations and limited extension of the blaze to a neighboring historic property.

James Spencer was recognized after public-safety staff said he entered the home under heavy smoke, located a female resident and assisted her to safety. The town presented Spencer with a citation for heroism noting he entered approximately three feet into a smoke-filled environment and guided the resident out. The chiefs and the board thanked both men and also highlighted the coordinated efforts of police and multiple fire units on scene.

Select Board members and department chiefs praised the “humility and professionalism” of first responders and residents who assisted during the incident. The board read proclamations and presented formal citations; the town said it would deliver one proclamation to Spencer at his home per his preference.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Mansfield: Select Board 5/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Select Board and public-safety chiefs presented commendations Wednesday to Mansfield Police Officer Christopher Sorge and neighbor James Spencer for actions at an April 20, 2025 structure fire on Willow Street that aided firefighters and helped rescue a resident.","taxTitle","Town of Mansfield, Bristol County, Massachusetts","taxId",68738,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6229366,"Select Board approves flat-fee town-counsel contract: $13,000 monthly starting July 1",315,4560000,4875000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464025-99282f4a6f19fab174545fa829ab9e2c&start=4560&end=4875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464025-99282f4a6f19fab174545fa829ab9e2c/thumbnail_4560000.jpg","/articles/6229366/Massachusetts/Select-Board-approves-flat-fee-town-counsel-contract-13000-monthly-starting-July-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229366-09197a48b13cdb10f49ee74157dd5dbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952779&Signature=SuXvwzq4MgsqFbzE62~2Q6BXk95FxIGUMkHNuRTbHkZMnmgQjUGbhyFaDAWViXui2QS2Ac4TnERUSxVaPaqe0IdEFELdvhZPkFzfodQwHTKGKrco85Mlzb3xSIrjkxVCUIfCykKCXRnc0SJm99VtfbavX~Pi4v87mSso5feyzYuw~wTzS5T2oMDpr0-EZrZuj0x3S0fi~rWOCq6VrQhp7BY14jW2fHprn8sn28QrnVyqCj5dIppGPyppVarPuMftkpnTgAfMOs2zNLa9Pg-bl80ty4FaLgA0PP9XFFSCp~M42Ns1HlA93FEhXp1rZSQTjvEtjytsk3W1Be5zQ0Ha9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mansfield Select Board voted Wednesday to authorize a flat monthly fee of $13,000 with Harrington & Heap LLP for town-counsel legal services, effective July 1, 2025 (fiscal year 2026). The measure replaces the current hourly arrangement.

A Harrington & Heap representative told the board the firm developed the flat-fee proposal after reviewing past invoices and average annual legal hours. Town finance staff said historical payments to town counsel averaged roughly $200,000 per year, and the proposed flat fee — $13,000 per month, or about $156,000 per year — aligns with those figures while giving the town budget predictability. The proposal excludes extraordinary matters such as special litigation, arbitration or mediation, which would be billed separately and identified in the agreement.

Finance director Matt Violette reviewed recent legal spend and confirmed the firm’s analysis of prior payments. Board members asked whether the flat fee should start at the beginning of the next fiscal year; the firm and staff recommended July 1, 2025 as the effective date, and the board amended the motion to make it effective at the start of fiscal 2026.

The board approved the amended motion by voice vote. The amended agreement will be a public document and will be presented to the town for the standard contracting process.","The Select Board voted to adopt a flat-fee arrangement with Harrington & Heap LLP for town legal services at $13,000 per month, effective July 1, 2025 (FY26), replacing the prior hourly arrangement.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6229371,"Select Board approves 6% water and 4% sewer rate increases to safeguard reserves and fund PFAS work",2490,5340000,7830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464025-99282f4a6f19fab174545fa829ab9e2c&start=5340&end=7830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464025-99282f4a6f19fab174545fa829ab9e2c/thumbnail_5340000.jpg","/articles/6229371/Massachusetts/Select-Board-approves-6-water-and-4-sewer-rate-increases-to-safeguard-reserves-and-fund-PFAS-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229371-bab841c23e9b458dc0edefe431344324/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952779&Signature=XP5wR6M575ZSvdYJRfKKb2J0keTRgQYDq05qoxLWXri60wlY3pafZk~9lTboONxvY2Od19SAprmrMqTZCzeB3oyUVIeyQMpvioFpgxRiHd~3JFsIREBvFG~A3U34-xji74quUFJHXW9hILS9WUMrETMahWtv0FKaE7~JzGvgxlyV~LT6Cqk6lxBAH7wSwqDOr3mp~Z9K6CszYCbeK7qQJ063X3BCaImWRGHYYVQMfyRWVUCoPF~3fzDghcfMbVuTyA1NEF6OC9FB2guPF~WhlQPs-qto4wCEZ9fj9EAg~tk89CLltyYcB0vROMZRfp3Qc4znHZkcAEV~V2L99yDxeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mansfield Select Board approved a 6% increase in water rates and a 4% increase in sewer rates Wednesday, citing a five‑year financial forecast that shows new debt-service obligations tied to capital projects, including the town’s PFAS treatment program.

Dave Fox, a vice president with Raftelis (the town's water‑sewer financial consultant), presented a multi‑year forecast that incorporated historical operating costs, planned capital improvements, and projected debt-service payments. Fox and town staff said the recommended increases are intended to fully fund operating expenses, new debt service and reserve targets while avoiding larger, sudden rate spikes in future years.

The presentation showed that without any rate changes the water and sewer enterprise funds would run deficits and draw down reserve balances. With the recommended increases, reserves dip modestly but remain on track to recover within the five‑year forecast because the town plans to continue annual rate updates. Fox noted Mansfield is ahead of many peer communities in addressing PFAS and other infrastructure needs and said the planned increases keep the town on a sustainable path for reinvestment.

After discussion the board voted to adopt a 6% water increase and a 4% sewer increase, both effective May 21, 2025. Board members also noted that the town will revisit rates annually and adjust if consumption trends or costs change.","The Mansfield Select Board voted to raise water rates 6% and sewer rates 4% effective May 21, 2025, following a financial forecast presented by consultant Raftelis showing new debt service and capital needs tied in part to the town's PFAS treatment program.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6229376,"Select Board clears Albertini well PFAS upgrades to move forward",320,5220000,5540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464025-99282f4a6f19fab174545fa829ab9e2c&start=5220&end=5540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464025-99282f4a6f19fab174545fa829ab9e2c/thumbnail_5220000.jpg","/articles/6229376/Massachusetts/Select-Board-clears-Albertini-well-PFAS-upgrades-to-move-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229376-fa972222f429117c55631b47a4421a70/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952779&Signature=ACfjyYx-vh7mg~LnoRWVWE4ifsXJ4OyJ-mumzpRwXcW8Zk1r89---t7vrO1XWET~kKq8H5j887ojvoZc9QM91V2L-Dr54XJZagk28WuA8BwUoR-24nHvSIpgvr-hiStYhCmY7hHORp4vKEkTXbDc359OJ-5paSFKif1dRKITZlxqi5FeUO5SmYwUhXJrxItJsX3XFKejLGZp-7JWEEnMGiW1VJ3H2mKbRhSX6iSGq~EPVIxCZyHFgL65rvA~hnaaOGROKntXiXpsOJDMa4pPaBFZGBwBs~tMjXKFf25LxAjoWmIbwxeiVexwRl6zoEglai~JzckFq6kSciwqsTWrnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mansfield Select Board voted Wednesday to approve the municipal clearinghouse submission for upgrades to the Albertini treatment plant, a project that will add PFAS treatment to the town's final water-treatment site and is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2026.

Town project manager Michael Herron told the Select Board the plan covers construction of a new roughly 3,500‑square‑foot PFAS treatment building at the Albertini site (1675 West Street), replacement of Well No. 4, electrical and generator upgrades, green sand replacement, well and pump improvements and chemical-system upgrades. Work at the town’s satellite well at 311 Plain Street includes demolition of an old outbuilding, well and pump upgrades, and new underground utilities for power and fiber optics to support the town SCADA network.

Herron said the project has received conservation and site-plan approvals and a positive recommendation from the planning board. He also told the board the project was budgeted and approved at town meeting, and that the overall water-program schedule anticipates the Albertini site coming online in late 2026. The work is the final step in the town’s multi‑plant PFAS program; town staff said installation of fiber to all well sites is a collateral benefit.

After discussion the board voted to approve the Albertini well PFAS program as presented. Board members noted the town’s multi‑year effort to address PFAS and described Mansfield as “ahead of the curve” compared with many neighboring communities for installing PFAS treatment on municipal wells.

Project proponents said the work will be phased to avoid summer peak-season outages and that the Dustin Prescott treatment plant (already under construction) will be integrated into the overall plan. The board’s positive vote clears the municipal-review step; contract awards and construction schedules will be set in later public meetings.","The Mansfield Select Board voted to approve the municipal clearinghouse submission and advance the Albertini treatment-plant PFAS upgrade project, which the town says will bring its final PFAS treatment facility online by the end of 2026.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6229380,"Mansfield Select Board declares dog \"Veda\" a nuisance; orders training, leash and front-door fixes",990,3600000,4590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464025-99282f4a6f19fab174545fa829ab9e2c&start=3600&end=4590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464025-99282f4a6f19fab174545fa829ab9e2c/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6229380/Massachusetts/Mansfield-Select-Board-declares-dog-Veda-a-nuisance-orders-training-leash-and-front-door-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229380-ef453424428a8845bfacfbf301a236af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952779&Signature=Hr1bI8xp8DX5BNtPPoLcMIwkTnnBgFL1VifOD2eD47RRIZINUYuGwMbq8x8jjVF6rpxdTRq9ShacPwArW7750CNY8smko05UUfvw8Np53PDBjZZWiBQ-4SDdc~37IXVi7sze9UCQSbpggVARzK4ERAaBsmrbh913Q-6ey4onGjsOsraYi8k1TBauNbIV1W~oqoyDYlDFqVyKx~2YjgUbq~uiAc7prsuV~FcgOXitf9EW9Dw4eZ7lnW2qK9sUDh4bCBAV5W6TH0p~GlWdre-3oAi3FPyfRXmMjhw6~sCO2GSFm34GY99Jl8Ww2dKL95TmNuCYs7WObZDC1R5roOHbDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mansfield Select Board declared a dog named Veda a nuisance animal Wednesday and ordered its owners to enroll the dog in an approved obedience program, keep the dog on a six-foot leash outside a securely fenced area, and take corrective steps to ensure the home's front door remains closed.

The action follows testimony from Francesca Machayco, the town's animal control officer, who described two reported attacks: one on Feb. 13, 2025, when Veda allegedly attacked a dog named Oakley and caused puncture wounds that required a wound drain, and one on April 13, 2025, when Veda allegedly charged and injured another dog while on a walk near 8 Pine Needle Lane. Machayco told the board she placed Veda under two 10‑day quarantines after those incidents and that other residents have reported aggressive behavior that they did not formalize out of concern for retaliation.

The board held the hearing under the public process required for dog complaints and heard from the animal control officer, residents and the animal owner’s statements to the officer. Machayco told the board she had met with the owners and was recommending: that Veda be declared a nuisance (not a dangerous dog); that the dog be enrolled in an appropriate canine obedience program with documentation of enrollment and completion provided to animal control; that the dog be kept on a six‑foot leash at all times when outside of a securely fenced area and under the control of a person capable of restraining her; and that the owners take corrective actions to ensure the front door is secured when entering and exiting so Veda cannot gain access to the front yard.

A resident who said she lives on Dobby Drive described seeing Veda walk by regularly without incident and urged reasonable measures; the animal control officer told the board the owners reported prior escapes were caused by front doors left open and that Mr. Medeiros had said he secured the backyard after discussion with animal control. Board members pressed for specifics about past reports and whether more severe legal steps were warranted; Machayco said the evidence supported a nuisance designation rather than a dangerous-dog finding.

After public comment the board voted to close the hearing, then voted to declare Veda a nuisance and to order the recommended measures. Each motion passed on an affirmative voice vote.

The board asked staff to prepare a written decision documenting its findings and the ordered remedies. The animal control officer said she would provide the documentation showing quarantines and will accept training completion forms from a trainer to confirm compliance.","After hearing reports of two attacks and multiple complaints, the Mansfield Select Board on May 21, 2025, declared a dog named Veda a nuisance animal and ordered the owners to enroll the dog in obedience training, keep it on a six-foot leash outside a secured yard, and take corrective steps to ensure the home's front door remains closed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mansfield honors Officer Christopher Sorge and neighbor James Spencer for response to Willow Street fire

Select Board approves flat-fee town-counsel contract: $13,000 monthly starting July 1

Select Board approves 6% water and 4% sewer rate increases to safeguard reserves and fund PFAS work

Select Board clears Albertini well PFAS upgrades to move forward

Mansfield Select Board declares dog "Veda" a nuisance; orders training, leash and front-door fixes