Statement of Support for Masonicare Project Approved
The Mansfield Town Council has made clear their “committment to working collaboratively” with the Board of Directors of Masonicare to provide water and wastewater services for a planned senior living project in the town.
At their Monday night meeting, the council members gave Mayor Elizabeth Paterson the authority to write a letter of support to the Board of Directors of Masonicare and its offer to construct the facility on Maple Road. Even though the letter is a declaration of their support for Masonicare, it doesn’t mean it is considered to be a binding commitment.
The activity was approved collectively, with a council member Paul Shapiro refraining from the vote. Shapiro is one of the board of directors for Mansfield Retirement Community, Inc.
Masonicare is a non-profit corporation found at Wallingford, it is the self-proclaimed “leading provider of healthcare and retirement living communities for seniors,” in the state.
A delegate from Masonicare said that the spot of the planned 45-acre property on Maple Road will permit the company to construct a “successful” independent/assisted living center for seniors.
Masonicare considers that the amount of land, besides to the property’s propinquity to Mansfield’s Senior Center, Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, University of Connecticut and the center of town, will let the company draw perspective residents.
The business is still waiting for the town’s water supply connection, which is really essential for the project to be developed.
In a letter addressed to Masonicare President Stephen B. McPherson last Feb. 22, Town Manager Matthew Hart wrote that UConn was not at present in a position to allow any additional connections to the existing water supply that are not listed as a dedicated use under the university’s water and wastewater master plan.
Because of this, the municipality is looking for extra water supplies. Hart said that taxpayers have authorized $330,000, but the building of supplementary utilities would have to be approved by state and local officials, over and above a vote of approval from people for added bond funding.