Year in Review: The Top Mansfield Stories of 2014

As 2014 comes to a close, we look back at some of the top stories from the past 12 months.

It was certainly an interesting year for Mansfield. Major stories included the resignation of the superintendent of schools, the approval of a new plan for the Chocolate Factory, and a very tough night for safety officials during a Keith Urban show at the Xfinity Center.

And while we understand there are many news stories that hit Mansfield this year, we’re bringing you the headlines that had the most readership. Tell us in the comments section below what you think the year’s biggest Mansfield news story.

Here is Mansfield Patch’s top 10 stories of 2014:

10.More Liquor Licenses Approved For Mansfield

More liquor licenses are coming to Mansfield in the near future.

Town Manager Bill Ross announced during a selectmen meeting in December that State Rep. Jay Barrows recently informed him that Gov. Deval Patrick has signed legislation to give Mansfield nine more liquor licenses.

The liquor licenses will become available for restaurants and cannot be used for a liquor store.

Ross said he was unsure when the legislation goes into effect but when it does, a total of 11 liquor licenses will be available in town. This year, Willowdale Golf Court surrendered their license and Chipotle near Mansfield Crossing also gave up their license, choosing to no longer sell alcohol.

9. Mansfield Businessman Karl Clemmey Cleared of Assault Charges

Mansfield businessman Karl Clemmey was found not guilty of assaulting Mansfield Town Planner Shaun Burke in September.

Attleboro District Court Judge Daniel O’Shea found Clemmey innocent of felony assault by means of a dangerous weapon after a four-hour, jury-waived trial.

Clemmey was accused of driving a SUV at Burke and almost hitting him last year.

O’Shea said that while police had probable cause to charge Clemmey, the evidence presented made it clear that the prosecution could not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Members of Clemmey’s family said that Karl was with them in Wareham during the day, presenting a meal receipt and a cellphone record showing that a call was made by Clemmey’s cell phone from Wareham.

An accident reconstruction expert also said that the accident could not have happened as described by Burke because the type of SUV described by Burke could not turn the way Burke said it did.

8. Mansfield Commuter Rail Cafe Opens, and Closes Again

Only a couple of months after opening, the Firebox Cafe at the Mansfield MBTA Commuter Rail station is no more.

Commuters looking for a place to escape the cold before the morning train or to purchase a cup of coffee will now find a sign on the building that says, ”Sorry, closed until further notice.”

Selectman Olivier Kozlowski, who operated the cafe, said he simply couldn’t turn a profit operating the cafe.

“We couldn’t meet ends meet. We tried to renegotiate (with GATRA) and that didn’t go anywhere. I feel bad for our regulars but there were not enough of them,” Kozlowski said.

The unsuccessful attempt at running the cafe comes as a surprise. Over the summer, Town Hall received a high volume of calls upset over the building’s temporary closure after the previous operator retired earlier this year.

7. Voters Approve Chocolate Factory Apartment, Retail Plan

Voters have approved a renovation plan for the old Lowney chocolate factory building.

Citizens gave the green light for the project at the Annual Town Meeting.

The plans call for 130 apartments and room for a possible restaurant.

The factory opened in 1903 and closed in 2011.

6. FBI Unsure of Location of Former Mansfield Resident Turned Terrorism Suspect

A former Mansfield resident who grew up in Stoughton might be helping Muslim terrorist organization ISIS overseas but the FBI is unsure where he is or what he is doing.

Ahmad Abousamra, who is on the FBI’s most wanted terrorist list, is believed to be in Syria and could be using computer skills he learned in Massachusetts to help ISIS.

“They don’t have a warrant; they don’t have a right to do that,” Abousamra said on a wiretap recorded by the FBI.

Abousamra fled the county in 2006 and was indicted three years later in a Boston federal court. for allegedly attempting to obtain military training during trips to Pakistan and Yemen.

5. Mansfield Selectmen Vote to Buy Power from Proposed Solar Farm

The town of Mansfield will purchase power from a 1.25-megawatt solar farm from a proposed site located at the former Ispo and Campo Chemical sites on Branch Street.

In the face of opposition from abutters and residents, the selectmen, acting as the light commissioners, voted 3-2 to enter a power-purchase agreement and development agreement with IRG Mansfield.

Residents in attendance expressed concerns about the project, ranging from a perceived dismissal by the developers of their concerns that included health concerns, lighting, noise, and property values.

Representing IRG Mansfield, attorney Edward Valenzola defended the project, informing the selectmen that the inverters would be placed in the center of the project and comes with no traffic or lights.

Next up is to finalize the power-purchase and development agreement between the town and the developers. According to Town Manager Bill Ross, the agreements would attempt to migrate the concerns expressed by residents.

Selectman Olivier Kozlowski said he would do everything he can to make sure all the concerned expressed by residents are addressed in the agreements.

Valanzola said after the vote that the developer would be happy to work with residents during the next phase.

4. A Deadly Incident at Mansfield Fish and Game

In September, a 911 call was received from the Mansfield Fish and Game club reporting a gunshot victim. When police arrived at the club, they found a 65-year-old male subject deceased.

Police identified the victim as as Stephen Backstrom, 65, of Bicentennial Court in Mansfield.

Police said that Backstrom was handing a.30-30 Marlin hunting rifle during the incident.

On Facebook, police said that the local residents should not be worried and that this was an isolated incident.

3. Three Dead in Fatal Mansfield Train Crash

Three occupants of a vehicle were pronounced dead in June after their vehicle collided with an Amtrak train in Mansfield.

The Amtrak train was reportedly en route to Washington, D.C. when it struck the vehicle at Gilbert Street Crossing in Mansfield.

The train derailed after the crash.

Authorities said the train was traveling 125 mph when it struck the vehicle, which was traveling in the same direction as the train in a wooded area.

The Boston Herald reported the trio may have been joyriding.

The train driver was treated for a minor head injury. About 200 people were aboard the train; none were hurt.

2. Mansfield School Superintendent Brenda Hodges Resigns Amid Plagiarism Charges

Amid accusations of plagiarism in her speech during Mansfield High School’s graduation ceremony, Mansfield schools Superintendent Brenda Hodges, resign over the summer.

Hodges’ commencement address in June had many similarities to one delivered by U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven during his commencement address at the University of Texas at Austin in May.

Parts of Hodges’ speech appeared to be taken word-for-word from McRaven’s address.

Hodges denied any plagiarism.

“My graduation speech has been the source of much discussion and dissection,” she wrote in her resignation letter. “Moving forward, I do not believe the school system can continue to make the progress it has made if this issue remains a distraction.”

Hodges said she would work through Aug. 29. After that, she “will be receiving medical treatment for a longstanding injury.” She will then retire June 30, 2015. Hodges has worked for the school system in various leadership roles for 14 years.

In November, Interim Superintendent Superintendent Zeffro Gianetti was approved as the full-time superintendent.

1. Mass Arrests, Dozens Hospitalized At Keith Urban Concert at Xfinity Center

An evening of country music turned into a nightmare for many fans as public safety officials were forced to declare a mass casualty incident during a Keith Urban show at the Xfinity Center in July. By the end of the night, 50-concert goers were taken into custody, 46 were treated for alcohol related incident, and 22 were transported to local hospitals.

Rape charges also came out of the evening but were later dropped in Attleboro District Court.

By about 10:30 p.m., on the night of the show, at least eight ambulances were on the scene from five surrounding towns including Norton, Foxboro, North Attleboro, Plainville, and Easton.

The show highlighted the ongoing issues involving alcohol consumption at country shows currently taking place not only at the Xfinity Center, but at many venues across the country.