Town Meeting Gives OK to New Public Safety/DPW Complex

Mansfield police, fire, and public works are one step closer to the construction of new combined public safety/DPW complex on East Street.

With the Mansfield High School auditorium nearly at capacity, town meeting gave their endorsement to the $35 million project 427-13.

Speaking at the meeting, town officials said the three buildings no longer meet the modern needs of the town due to their age.

The new project will move the police and fire departments to the DPW property on East Street. During construction, the DPW will temporarily move across the street. East Street will be widened and a new set of lights will be installed as part of the plan. The project is expected to take 12-24 months to complete.

If all goes as expected, the current police department on West Street will be converted into a regional dispatch center, to be funded and maintained by the state.

Next, the voters will be asked to pay for the new building through a debt exclusion on a ballot question in late September or early October.