2016 17 annual report by Town of Mansfield CT

Town of Mansfield Annual Report 2016-2017 Mansfield Downtown Partnership/K. Paterson Photo

Town Manager’s Message Town Council and Mansfield Residents: I am pleased to submit our 2016/17 Annual Report regarding municipal operations, as required by the Town Charter. I would like to dedicate this Annual Report to former Mansfield Town Manager Matthew (Matt) Hart. Matt was Mansfield’s Town Manager from October 2006 to July 2017. Before becoming Town Manager, Matt started his career with the Town as Assistant to the Town Manager in January 2000. Shortly after he was promoted to Assistant Town Manager. In recognition of Matt’s dedicated and invaluable service to the Town, below are some notable accomplishments from his 17 years of service to the community:  Built award-winning downtown in Storrs Center  Developed Town’s first strategic plan (Mansfield 2020) and its successor strategic plan (Mansfield Tomorrow) which included a community vision for land use, housing, and economic development  Worked with private landowners and the state of Connecticut to protect farmland and open space  Expanded services at the Mansfield Senior Center and the Mansfield Public Library, including the establishment of the library’s branch location at the Town’s Nash Zimmer Transportation Center  Built the Jeffrey P. Ossen Community Playground, accessible to children of all abilities  Established a positive bond rating (Aa2) and more than doubled the Town’s fund balance  Created a pay-as-you go capital improvement program  Strengthened the working relationship with UCONN, completing several successful joint initiatives  Assembled a truly outstanding team of talented, dedicated professionals that provide Mansfield with quality and innovative municipal services In closing, I would like to thank our graduate student intern Thomas Fitzgerald for his good work in preparing this Annual Report. As I prepare to depart Mansfield for a new opportunity in January 2018, I will wish you all the very best and continued success in your future endeavors. Regards,

Maria E. Capriola Interim Town Manager

Table of Contents General Government……………………………………………………………………………... 4 Community Development……….…………..……………..………………………..……….. 5 Community Services……...…….……………..……………..…………………………..……...6 Public Safety...………………….……………..……………..…………………………………..... .8 Public Works...………………..……………..……………..………………………………………. .9 Mansfield Public Schools……...……………..………………………………...…………….. 10 Affiliated Agencies………….....……………..……………..……………………………….….. 11 References & Contact Information………...……….……..…………………………….. 12

Pictures courtesy of Kathleen Paterson, Mansfield Downtown Partnership, Sarah Taylor, Katie Bell, and the Public Works Department. Thank you!

Mansfield at a Glance Median Household Income: $66,216 Median Home Value: $248,383

16 miles from I-84 35 miles from Bradley International Airport 8 miles from Windham Regional Airport Windham Regional Transit Bus Service Total Population: 26,890 Family Households: 3,314 Non-Family Households: 2,586 Median Age: 21

Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building 4 South Eagleville Road HOURS M/T/W...........8:15 am to 4:30pm Thursday.........8:15am to 6:30pm Friday..............8:00am to 12:00pm

General Government Departments in the General Government service unit provide those activities that are required by law or policy to support day-to-day government administration and operations. These departments work together to achieve the most efficient and effective use of Town resources to benefit our citizens. Town Manager/Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, Town Clerk, Registrar

Town Wide Expenditures, 7,242,440, 14%

General Government, 1,728,130, 3%

Budget for FY 2017: $1,728,130

Public Safety, 3,827,740, 8%

Public Works, 3,095,010, 6%

Community Development, 615,600, 1%

24.42 Full Time Equivalent Employees Achievements: 

IT collaborated closely with staff from the Building and Housing Department to launch an online permitting portal website for citizens and contractors. The website is available at http:// mansfield.onlinegovt.com.

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Education, 33,473,980, 65%

Successfully migrated two hundred and fifty staff electronic communication accounts to redundant cloudbased hosting to reduce operating costs and increase reliability for communication with citizens and staff. Implemented cloud-based recruitment software in conjunction with the Mansfield Board of Education, greatly improving the recruitment process for both applicants and hiring managers. Awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA), for the Town’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Town also received the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the FY 2016/17 Budget.

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Implemented organization-wide fraud risk prevention procedures based on the Fraud Risk Assessment completed in FY 2015/16. Implemented the Uniform Chart of Accounts reporting to the State of Connecticut. Utilized Historic Documents Preservation Grant funds for the following projects:

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Community Services, 1,641,010, 3%

Microfilmed and created a user copy of the first Town Meeting Book (1710-1803);  Restored, deacidified, and rebound Land Record Volume 41. This was the only early land record volume left to be preserved in this manner.  Unbound all marriage, birth and death records from 1943 to 1969 and placed them in loose leaf binders to improve our ability to provide legible copies to citizens. Created an electronic index in our public records search program for land records dating from 1973 – 1984.

Community Development Community Development aims to provide residents with a community that promotes and protects public safety, health and welfare, environmental quality, encourages economic activity and full employment, rewards creative enterprise, and fosters full citizen engagement. These departments play a crucial role in the present and future direction of Mansfield and the overall quality of life of our residents. Achievements: 

Began implementation of the updated state Building Code. This included the deletion of municipal ability to fine individuals for starting work without a permit. Council adopted a change to the Town code to be consistent with this update in the regulations.

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The Building and Housing Department began over occupancy inspections based on a change to the Housing Code that references zoning regulations.

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An additional 462 acres of Mansfield’s largest and longrunning farm, Mountain Dairy, was preserved. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture purchased the development rights on 414 acres and the Town of Mansfield, in conjunction with the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Agriculture Conservation Easement Program, purchased development rights on 48 acres. This project represents the second and third phases of a project to preserve 740 acres of this farm. When the purchase of the remaining development rights has been finalized, Mansfield will have over 1,000 contiguous acres of farmland preserved for future generations.

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Published the Mansfield Permitting Guide to assist residents, business owners, developers, contractors and consultants. This comprehensive manual includes contact information, an overview of the permitting process and guidance for each permit type.

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Adopted new regulations for stormwater management to reduce impacts of stormwater runoff on natural resources and respond to a changing climate.

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Established a moratorium on multi-unit housing developments to allow the Commission time to update zoning regulations for these uses. The Commission’s Regulatory Review Committee presented a conceptual approach in January for community input. The feedback received through this process is helping to shape new regulations, which will be presented for public hearing in Winter 2017-2018.

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Partnered with CME Associates, UConn, the towns of Windham, Putnam, Killingly, and Tolland, and various individuals, organizations and businesses to establish Northeast Connecticut as an Innovation Place. This partnership resulted in a $50,000 grant to develop an Innovation Place master plan. The implementation team assembled as part of this process continues to meet and pursue funding and initiatives to strengthen the innovation economy in Northeast Connecticut.

Building and Housing, Planning and Development Budget for FY 2017: $615,600 8.52 Full Time Equivalent Employees 5

Community Services Mansfield Community Services provide health services, human services, library, and recreation services to our residents. Their programs aim to enrich the lives of our citizens through activities, programs and facilities designed to foster creativity, help resolve and prevent problems, and provide health and recreational activities. Community Services plans and assists in the development and maintenance of harmonious personal relationships between residents and groups. Achievements: ď&#x201A;ˇ

The Library was presented with the John E. Ryan Award as a Distinguished Friend of Adult Education by the Vernon Regional Adult Education for our support of their ESL classes. The library hosts ESL classes three days per week, and collaborates with ESL staff to provide cultural programs for the community.

Parks and Recreation, Library, Human Services

Budget for FY 2017: $1,641,010

61.27 Full Time Equivalent Employees

Achievements: 

Digital history archive is now live! The Library and the Town Clerk’s office worked together to create an online catalog of our local history holdings. We continue to scan new items as time permits. Explore your local history at mansfieldpubliclibraryct.org/history.

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Awarded grant funding from the NECASA program to support prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and from the State Department of Education to promote positive youth development programs.

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Awarded grant funds for school readiness and early childhood initiatives by the state Office of Early Childhood Services.

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Accomplished a number of critical Senior Center facility improvements, including the installation of a new dining room floor, replacement of broken dining room tables, and repair work to the outside walkway.

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Increased Senior Center program participation by 32%, in the following specific areas: Fitness Classes 29%, Intergenerational Activities 108%, Nutrition Program 24%.

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Community Center visitations for FY 16/17, totaled 208,219 an average of 17,351 visits per month.

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FY 16/17 included a total of 3,310 programs with 13,914 participants.

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Received a $16,000 grant from the Gawlicki Family Foundation to replace the pool inflatable slide with a new interactive pool inflatable, which will also be used in the summer at Bicentennial Pond.

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Began construction of a universal access trail around the Bicentennial Pond facility.

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Continued before and after school programs at Southeast and Vinton Elementary Schools and an after school program at the Community Center.

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Held 13th Anniversary Celebration of the Community Center on November 1, 2016.

Public Safety The Public Safety service unit serves to preserve peace and good order, to protect persons and property, and to ensure the safety of the Town’s citizens. The unit’s goal is to create an environment in which people can move about safely and feel confident that they and their property are protected from harm through programs that reduce crime and fire, provide emergency medical services, and minimize the impact of disaster. Achievements: 

Conducted and completed hiring process for the Fire Chief and the Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal/Emergency Management Director.

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The Fire Department took delivery of a 3,000 gallon Tanker apparatus. After extensive training for staff & volunteers, the Tanker was placed in service on November 1, 2016.

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Improved Fire Department response times to certain types of emergencies by targeting response district border areas that would benefit from automatic mutual aid with the UCONN Fire Department (both given and received). The department continues to identify and prioritize water sources for firefighting using GIS (Geographic Information System).

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The Town’s Emergency Operations Plan and Hazard Mitigation Plan were audited by DEMHS to ensure that it was current with state and federal plans.

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Received a Life Safety Achievement Award from the National Association of State Fire Marshals Fire Research & Education Foundation (NASFM Foundation) for excellence in fire prevention efforts that have contributed to reducing the number of lives lost in residential fires.

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Received grant award from FM Global for equipment to be used to assist fire investigators to more efficiently investigate and determine the cause of a fire during fire investigations.

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Animal Control responded to approximately 1,692 complaints, and issued 338 warnings, 31 notices to license, and 12 animal control infractions. Quarantined 13 dogs and 2 cats. Impounded 165 animals of which 80 were reclaimed, 71 were adopted out to new owners, 9 were struck by vehicles, and 7 were too injured or aggressive to place .

Fire and Emergency Services, Emergency Management, Resident State Trooper, Animal Control Budget for FY 2017: $3,827,740 31.74 Full Time Equivalent Employees

Public Works The Department of Public Works provides services for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the Town’s infrastructure including roads, bridges, solid waste facilities, park and recreation areas, school athletic fields, sewers and sewer pump stations, and vehicles and equipment. Additionally, the Department supports and assures the balanced development, improvement, and protection of the Town’s physical resources.

Public Works, Facilities Management Budget FY 2017: $3,095,010 36.16 Full Time Equivalent Employees

Achievements: 

Resurfaced portions of Mansfield City Road, Candide Lane, and Charles Smith Way and the entire Lynwood Road neighborhood including the replacement of all drainage structures and guiderails.

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Sealed cracks on over 50 Town roads which will prevent future damages from water infiltration and the freeze/thaw cycle.

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Completed construction of the highway garage vehicle fueling station.

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Developed and Submitted an Emergency Action Plan for Bicentennial Pond Dam.

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Replaced and converted the steam boilers at Vinton School to high efficiency condensing hot water boilers.

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Replaced brick sidewalks at the Town Hall main entrance with concrete sidewalks.

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Painted the exterior of two schools and extensive interior painting.

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The Facilities Management Department has instituted an extensive Preventive Maintenance (PM) Program to help eliminate emergency repairs.

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Replaced lighting and converted lights from fluorescent to LED at the Middle School.

Mansfield Public Schools The Mansfield Public Schools educate children from preschool through grade 8 in four schools including Mansfield Middle School, Goodwin Elementary School, Southeast Elementary School, and Vinton Elementary School. Our schools are enriched by our culturally and socio-economically diverse student population, and engaged and involved families. Students are encouraged to reach beyond the classroom to learn from a variety of academic and extracurricular experiences. Achievements: 

Developed the Portrait of a Graduate, a vison for the Mansfield learner, with a focus on such life skills as communication, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and global citizenship.

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Implemented student-centered instructional practices in literacy providing students with personalized learning experiences using text chosen by the student.

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Created curriculum evaluation and development teams across the district in mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts.

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Engaged community in facility planning study to identify learning spaces that meet educational and community needs.

Future Projects and Initiatives: 

Develop project-based learning experiences that cut across content areas and provide students with relevant, sustained, self-directed learning opportunities.

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Share findings of facility study with community and determine next steps in a possible building/ renovation project.

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Create authentic assessment practices that evaluate development of academic and learning skills aligned to Mansfield’s Portrait of the Graduate. Mission

It is the mission of the Mansfield Board of Education, in partnership with the Mansfield community, to ensure that all children acquire the knowledge, skills, and attributes essential for personal excellence in learning, life, and work within our global community.

Mansfield Middle School, Goodwin Elementary, Southeast Elementary, Vinton Elementary Budget for FY 2017: $22,980,500 244.53 Full Time Equivalent Employees

Affiliated Agencies

Construction of Storrs Center was completed in the past year, including the Main Street Homes area that provides 42 townhomes and condominiums. Storrs Center is now home to 50 businesses. In the past year Amazon, Grille 86, CME Engineering and more have opened. The Oaks on the Square apartments are 100% leased, commercial spaces are 99% leased, and 99% of Main Street Homes are sold. The Mansfield Downtown Partnership hosted over 20 events this past year, including ones like Moonlight Movies and the Celebrate Mansfield Festival.

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The Mansfield Housing Authority worked with the Mansfield Nonprofit Housing Development Corporation to secure a $300,000 pre-development loan from the Connecticut Department of Housing to explore the development of 113-121 South Eagleville Road for affordable housing.

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The 2016 average vouchers leased per month for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program was 126. The year to date average is 128.

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The Eastern Highlands Health District was honored to receive the Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association Annual Award of our work with the Plan4Health Initiative. Working with our CHART coalition, the health district created an online toolkit that supports local planning and zoning commissions, encouraging them to make land use decisions that promote healthy behaviors.

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The Substance Abuse in Our Communities workgroup coordinated and hosted the public forum: The Opioid Epidemic: Our Communities, Our Concern. The forum was well received by the community with over 400 persons in attendance, and 20 program and service providers participating in the resource fair.

Reference Information

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Upcoming Events Storrs Farmers Market: Open every Saturday from May through November on the front lawn of the Mansfield Town Hall and two Saturdays a month from December through April in the Buchanan Auditorium at the Mansfield Public Library. www.storrsfarmersmarket.org Annual Town Meeting: May 8, 2018; Mansfield Middle School Auditorium Memorial Day Parade: May 28, 2018; Bassetts Bridge Road/Rt. 195 to Mansfield Center Cemetery (rain location: Mansfield Middle School gymnasium) 13th Annual John E. Jackman Tour de Mansfield: June 2018; Join local cycle teams in a race through the historic villages of Mansfield. All abilities are welcome!

15th Annual Celebrate Mansfield Festival: September 16, 2017; Mansfield Town Square; The festival features a wide variety of activity booths hosted by Mansfield-located businesses, community organizations, sports teams, and clubsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something fun for everyone! 6th Annual Winter Welcome: December 1, 2017; Mansfield Town Square; Welcome Winter with holiday treats, sales, and specials...even a visit from Santa Claus!