5 Things To Know In Mansfield: Election Day, New Mayor And Interim Town Manager, Local Author Fair And More

MANSFIELD, CT — Mansfield votes in the state election Tuesday, the town settles in under a new mayor and interim town manager and Saturday brings a craft fair and the library's first local author book fair.

Here are five things to know about life around Mansfield this week:

1. Polls Open For The State Election
When: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Your district polling place; same-day registration in the Town Hall Council Chambers, 4 S. Eagleville Road
What to know: Polls are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the Registrar of Voters. Residents who aren't registered can register and vote on Election Day in the Council Chambers at the Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building; bring ID and proof of Mansfield residency. Polling places can be checked with the state's online lookup, and the town posts a voting district list and map, sample ballots and a list of candidates.
More information here.

2. New Mayor, Interim Town Manager Take Over
When: Effective Oct. 27
Where: Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building, 4 S. Eagleville Road
What to know: The Town Council elected Deputy Mayor Ben Shaiken as mayor on Oct. 26 after Mayor Antonia Moran resigned effective that meeting, according to the town. The council also chose not to extend its contract with MGT Company, which had supplied Stephen Daly as acting and then interim town manager since late July. Finance Director Amanda Backhaus became interim town manager Oct. 27 while the search for a permanent manager continues. Backhaus joined Mansfield in June 2023 and oversees finances for the town, Mansfield Public Schools and Regional School District 19.
More information here.

3. Sustainability Committee Votes On Plasmonic Reactor Proposal
When: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6 p.m.
Where: Conference Room C, Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building, 4 S. Eagleville Road
What to know: The Sustainability Committee holds a special meeting to discuss and vote on a "Plasmonic Reactor Systems Proposal," according to the agenda. Members will also discuss the Switch Together solar initiative, heat pump campaign updates and municipal campus updates.
More information here.

4. Library's First Local Author Book Fair, Book Donation Day
When: Saturday, Nov. 7; book donations 9 a.m. to noon, author fair 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: Buchanan Auditorium, Mansfield Public Library, 54 Warrenville Road, Mansfield Center
What to know: More than 20 local authors of fiction and nonfiction for all ages will sign and sell books at the Mansfield Public Library's first Local Author Book Fair, according to the town. The Friends of the Mansfield Library also hold a book donation drop-off that morning, with a limit of two bank-box-size boxes per household.
More information here.

5. Darlene Murphy Craft Fair
When: Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Mansfield Elementary School, 134 Warrenville Road, Mansfield Center
What to know: The annual Darlene Murphy Craft Fair is at Mansfield Elementary School Saturday, according to the town.
More information here.