Welcome to the Bristol Town Council meeting of August 19th. If you could all
rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
» Thank you everyone. Before
we go through the regular agenda, if I could ask the council for a motion to
add an agenda item to recognize um two Bristolians that uh passed away that
were connected with the town. >> So move second.
» Motion made by Tony, seconded by Aaron. All in favor?
» Any opposed? Thank you. So I will start with uh the passing of Andis Bisbana. Uh
Andis was the former uh superintendent of the Bristol school systems, not the
Bristol Warren school system, Bristol school system. Going back a bit. Um and
like we always do, we're so sorry for the family and friends. Um our hearts go
out to them. Um anybody that gave u time back to the community, whether they were
an employee or a volunteer, um this town very much appreciates. and
not just this council but the town itself. So many people were touched by
him. Uh so many touched by our school system. Also the passing of Gail
Hallagan. Um she was a Fourth of July committee member for a very long time
along with her husband Dudley. Again uh this council's um thoughts and prayers
go to the family go to to Dudley himself. Um and uh I knew her
personally. I think we all may have been touched by her too and um wonderful
person. She'll be sadly missed. Anything that the council wants to add?
» Just just very briefly, Mr. Chairman. Um actually, Mr. Bisbano, I had the
opportunity and pleasure to work for him as a faculty uh at the high school for
quite a few years. Also appointed me as a soccer coach as well back to 1905.
» I'm going to question the fact on that. said 1905.
» Yes, he did.
» Okay. Thank you, council. >> Madame clerk in the group,
» Mr. Chairman, members of the council, the first item on the agenda is the
consent agenda. >> Make a motion to approve it.
» Second. >> Motion made by Tony, seconded by Mary.
Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor?
» Any opposed? Thank you. >> The next item on the agenda is the town
council meeting minutes. There's a motion only from July 29th as well as
the executive session meeting minutes also from July 29th.
» Make a motion to approve it. >> Second.
» Motion made by Tony, seconded by Mary to approve. Any discussion? Hearing none.
All in favor? >> I.
» Any opposed? Thank you. >> The next item on the agenda is C1. This
is ordinance number 2026-9 amendment to chapter 16 motor vehicles
and traffic article 4 section section 16-114
stop intersections designated and this is for a four-way stop intersection at
Cogshell Avenue in Platt. This is first reading.
» Make a motion to constitute a first reading.
» Second. >> Motion made by Tony, seconded by Mary as
stated. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor? I.
» Any opposed? Before we go to the next agenda, I should have said that
Councilman Sweetie is not here tonight. He's at a family event out of state. I
believe it's a graduation of his niece out in Austin, Texas. So, thank you. Go
ahead, Madam Clerk. >> The next item on the agenda is C2. This
is ordinance number 2026-10. This is proposed amendments to chapter
28, zoning, article 9, division 2, development and areas of special flood
hazard. This is for section 28303 definitions and this is the modification
from the 10 to 5year look back period. This is first reading and call for
public hearing on September 16th. >> Make a motion to constitute first
reading call for public hearing uh September 16th.
» Second. >> Motion made by Tony, seconded by Mary as
stated. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor?
» I. >> Any opposed?
» Thank you. >> The next item on the agenda is C3. This
is ordinance number 2026-11 proposed amendments to chapter 28 zoning
article 1 section 28-1 definitions article 3 section 28-82 use regulations
article 5 section 28-162 short-term rentals this is first reading
and call for public hearing >> make a motion to constitute first
reading call for public hearing on September the 16th
» second motion made by Tony seconded by Aaron Any discussion hearing? None. All
in favor? I. Any opposed? Thank you. >> Ask,
» Mr. Chairman, if that motion may also include that it has to be referred to
the planning board for recommendation, that would be fantastic.
» That's exactly what I heard. I heard it seconded and voted unanimously. It was
absolutely definitely. >> Yeah, of course.
» The next item on the agenda is C4. This is ordinance number 2026-12.
This is proposed amendments to chapter 12 fire prevention and protection
article 1 section 12-1 outdoor fires prohibited exceptions section 12-2 for
recreational and cooking fires section 12-3 permitted burning for land clearing
and yard waste section 12-4 and this is for
training fires section 12-5 restrictions hazardous conditions section 12-6 use
restrictions in section 12-7 Enforcement section 12-8 penalties for outdoor and
recreational fire protection first reading.
» Before we get a motion for first reading, chief reached out to well came
over to me before the start of the meeting and asked if he'd clarify a
couple things. Chief. >> Sure. Absolutely. Thank you, Mr.
Chairman. Mike Mallo, fire chief. So, first off, uh this ordinance I believe
reflects what's already in state fire code, which is already low, but it also
provides a balance um of what can and can't be done. So, it allows residents
to enjoy their fire pits if they so choose um under certain conditions. Um
however, there are two sections in here as I reviewed this this afternoon uh
that were added. The TW section 123 for land clearing and yard waste. We
currently don't allow that now um by any permitting method and I would recommend
that that be that section be strike stricken from this proposed ordinance.
Um, typically burning leaves and branches and things like that in your
backyard, regardless of whether you have enough space or not, just burn emits a
ton of smoke. Yeah. >> And is typically more problematic than
actually the fire pit. So, that's the reasoning I would recommend striking
that. And then the following section 124, not necessarily opposed to it. I
just don't think it needs to be there. Um, I think the fire department
typically trains and follows a bunch of different guidelines that we have to
adhere to when we do any type of live burn training. So, I don't I don't think
that necessarily needs to be in there either. The rest of the material I think
deflects what's currently in state law and think would be good practice. So um
before we get a motion effect Andy solicitor could is there any reason that
what additional steps other than what we've already taken would be required
for second reading since it's omissions. I
» I think you can just go forward with it now and then um bring that forward at
the second reading and hearing since you're removing sections not adding
sections. So take this next step again at the this
same step at the next meeting. >> Yes.
» Okay. Council. >> So I make a motion to constitute first
reading. >> Second.
» Motion made by Tony, seconded by Mary that this constitutes first reading. And
just for the record that if we could get those uh possibly uh either stricken or
redlined or something that it clearly brings it to our attention at the next
meeting. Any other discussion? I just wanted to say though I'm glad that was
clarified because I had some questions about one part of that section. So that
answers that. Thank you. >> Perfect. Any other discussion? Hearing
none. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Thank you. Thanks, Chief.
» Mr. Chairman, members of the council, the next item on the agenda is D1. This
is Jennifer Cleveland from the Ottabbon Society of Rhode Island, 10401
Hope Street. This is a request for dancing and entertainment license.
BA based on the recommendations. I make a motion that we approve it with a
six-month review and also by inspection. >> Second.
» Motion made by Tony, seconded by Mary as stated. Any discussion?
» Hearing none. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed?
» Thank you. >> The next item on the agenda is D2. This
is Courtney Girtton from Molly Palooa, a benefit for almost home rescue, 230 Wood
Street. This is a request for one-day dancing and entertainment license to be
held at the Cup Defenders on Sunday, October 11th from 2 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
» Welcome, Courtney. >> Hi. Thank you for having me. Share.
» How many years is this, please? >> This is year number 15.
» Good for you. Good for you. This is your 30 to 45 second commercial.
» Okay. This is our annual fundraiser. It's um Almost Home Rescue's largest
fundraiser that supports um abandoned, abused, and neglected dogs. It's a um
clamboiled. The event takes place at the cup defenders. With all luck, we will
have it outside. Last year was a noraster, so we had to pivot plans.
Literally a noraster, but all of the years have been good weather. So, with
that said, if we do get great weather, then it takes place under a tent. Um,
and we have a band from 2 to 4:30 outside. And typically we do all the
music. We used to do all the music outside but this year um and actually
last year it started we moved u the last band inside and so that the last band
would be 5:30 to 7:30. The event used to end at 9:00. Now I every year I shorten
it because I'm tired and old. This year is is 8:00 p.m. with the last
ban um scheduled to end at 7:30 p.m. And that again that would be inside
» if one wanted to buy tickets. >> Yes, we have a Facebook event page. We
have um almost homerescue.org. Um the event is also on that. You can
also see me. I'm going to put up a poster. There's a little Venmo code.
There's plenty of ways. I'm always selling.
» And how much are they? >> How much are the tickets?
» The tickets are $40 and that includes the little neck boil, the music. Um and
then there's other catering from CP's Catering Common Pup and Grill as well.
» Very nice. >> And then it's 21 cash bar at the cup.
» Excellent. Does the Excuse me. Does the boy include watermelon and corn?
» Yes, it does. It does. >> It does. It does.
» I could get the cup of fenders to possibly whip up some stuffies. So, and
um just out of curiosity, a fun little fact. Um it started off 14 years ago, 15
years ago. Um as just a backyard barbecue, we raised, you know, for $5 a
cup. We raised $200 that first year. And I calculated um from year one to year
14. Last year we raised 30 grand alone, but and altogether we've raised $123,080
for abandoned. >> Congratulations. I'm hoping to beat the
30,000 mark this year. >> Outstanding.
» So if anyone This is my little pitch. Do I have five seconds left? Go ahead. If
anyone's interested in sponsoring, we're always looking for businesses and I give
a lot of good promotion. >> Council,
» that's my sales pitch. Thank you. based on the uh recommendations in 15 years.
Uh I make a motion that we approve it. >> Second.
» Motion made by Tony, seconded by Mary to approve. Any discussion?
» Just briefly, just the uh following the town ordinances. You're familiar with
those the noise and fire inspection. >> Yes, absolutely. Yep. New England tent
um donates the tent. So they do um they have all their fire permits and
extinguishers. They follow that. Um and the cup defenders is very diligent about
if if we do have to move it inside like last year, they have a counter to make
sure that you know we stay under capacity. Noise ordinances, we will
follow all of that. We've never had an issue in the past. Um so I plan to make
sure that we follow. >> We appreciate that.
» Thank you. >> Any other discussion?
» Hearing none. All in favor? I. >> Any opposed?
» Good luck. >> Thank you. I'm gonna hand my co drive.
» You do. >> Mr. Chairman and members of the council,
the next item on the agenda is D3. This is Donna Falcoa from Benjamin Church
Tenants Association, 1014 Hope Street. This is a request for a bingo license on
Fridays by monthly from September 2026 through August 2027.
Uh based on the positive recommendations, I make a motion that we
approve it, including, you know, state police approval.
» Second. >> Motion made by Tony, seconded by Mary as
stated. Any discussion? >> Uh, yes. I like the comment that they
made that the prizes are returned to the players. I think that's awesome, you
know, so it's not like somebody's cashing out on it.
» Good point. >> Any other discussion?
» Hearing none. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Thank you.
» The next item on the agenda is D4. This is Annabro Amada, chair of the Bristol
4th of July committee. This is a request for bingo license for a fundraiser on
Wednesday, September 16th from 5 to 9:30 at the VFW at 8:50 Hope Street. Just
want to note that there's two um recommendations that I received at
meeting um from the police and the fire
» based on a positive recommendations. I make a motion they will approve again
with the same stipulation with state police approval.
» Second >> motion made by Tony seconded by Mary to
approve as stated. Any discussion hearing? None. All in favor?
» I. >> Any opposed? Thank you.
» The next item on the agenda is E1. This is a three-month review from the show
cause hearing consideration of the revokeion and or the suspension of the
dancing and entertainment license and the class Bingling
intoxicating beverage license issued to AZJ John Street LLC Jeffrey Quinland
Zack King Andrew Tutler doing business as Aiden's Pub 5 John Street. This was
continued from April 29th. >> So I'm going to open it with if I may
welcome gentlemen. Um, Chief, if you could start off and just share with this
council and the public has there any concerns that would that we need to
address and then also Mr. Solicitor if you could weigh in on any other salient
points. Chief,
there was uh seven calls of service um over at Aiden. So, we do have neighbors
that are still concerned about the the noise volume. However, it did not reach
the point where it was a violation of town ordinance and police department
went over there uh and inspected those met with folks from the establishment.
Many times the establishment um willingly uh turned down that music uh
to acceptable levels to work with the community. Um I think I'll save uh there
was an issue relative towards um the show cause hearing the consent order uh
which was adopted uh in April of 2026 that allowed
uh outdoor entertainment on both the Friday and the Saturday.
And when they came in in June of 26 uh through the clerk's office and updated
uh their license, um they no longer have that Friday and Saturday. It's only for
Fridays only from 7 to 9:00 p.m. I just wanted to make that clear to the license
holder that what's in the consent order signed in April of 2026
um has been modified if the solicitor agrees with with my opinion on that. and
their new license um only allows for outdoor entertainment which I believe
that they requested from Fridays from 7 to 9:00 p.m.
» Thank you, Chief Andy. >> Yes, thank you. Um
confirming taking that last issue first with the chief. Yeah. Um although the
consent order in April talked about the outdoor entertainment for longer um when
they came in for their renewal um they asked for 7 the only thing they asked
for outdoors was 7 to 900 p.m. And also it requires uh an indication a picture
or a plan where it's going to be. Um there was never anything about outdoor
entertainment on the second floor deck. So it needs to be limited just to the
ground floor area. Um, other than that, um, there were a few
unfounded noise complaints. Um, there were two complaints back in May. Food
delivery at 5:00 in the morning. Um, but after the second one that appears to
have stopped, there haven't been any more of those. Um and um the other thing
um I will say the the reports the logs that we're supposed to get with the
security um the the reporting has been a little bit lackadasical on that um not
getting them promptly. Um, so all in all, um, I don't think there should be
any increase in our I I think things should just stay the same as we go into
the fall season with the students coming back for Roger Williams and I think this
will be coming back to us in November anyway with the renewal of the liquor
license for the year forward and uh, revisit these issues at that time. if
they want to apply for additional entertainment uh to modify to change it
for entertainment, that would probably be the time to do that at the same time.
But at the moment, I would just advise leaving things the way they are with the
note about outdoor entertainment is downstairs only and 7 to 9 on Friday
only for the only outdoor entertainment. Thank you, Andy. Gentlemen,
» good evening, chairman, members of the council. My name is uh Joseph Baxter.
I'm an attorney here representing the license holder. Um, you know, I think
obviously, uh, everything we've heard, uh, so far is somewhat, you know, we
expected to hear, uh, based on our conversations with the solicitor, uh,
and other town officials, uh, you know, my client's hoping just to keep the
status quo. Uh, for now, as has been, uh, stated by several individuals here.
Um, you know, and continue to comply with the, um, pertinent details, uh, in
the, um, settlement agreement, obviously, uh, with the clarification
regarding the outdoor entertainment. Um and here with me is um Mike Cochro. He's
the general manager uh of Aiden's. If you have any questions for uh you know
regarding operations specifically, he's happy to answer those. Uh otherwise um I
believe the only other point I wanted to address um was the uh the locks issue.
Obviously, we we'll work to address that uh to make sure that we're operating uh
under all the terms that uh have been agreed to. So that no concerns as as it
was expressed by the chief and the solicitor following with no changes as
just said through uh renewal would be in November. So we'll uh the recommendation
of this council I'm going ask the solicitor in a moment certainly first
I'm going to ask my colleagues if they have any questions or concerns. Um but
I'm going to ask the solicitor uh to help us with that motion to make sure we
capture that perfectly. Uh council anything you wanted to add?
» Yes. Um, briefly, I know I was very disappointed when we met the last time.
Um, I'm glad to see the improvement. Certainly is appreciated in your end and
our end, you know, and I'm sure the neighbors appreciate that as well. So,
thank you for those efforts. >> Um,
» I agree with Tony. I just had one quick question and um I wondered what the food
delivery was at 5 in the morning. >> I was unaware of that. Um, I will talk
to my food purveyors though. They they have a key drop so they can get in and
drop food off before we opened business which is easier for them. Um but I will
make sure that they don't come in. >> Oh, so you're I was going to think Okay,
so you're talking about like a truck that was delivering food. I was thinking
of some people working there still. I was wondering about and they'd ordered
food from somewhere. Okay. All >> righty. Okay.
» Yeah. Just so you know, I mean, it was it was May 18th and then it was a week
later, May 23rd. Um, the police the police told him not to and there hasn't
been anything >> since then. So, I assume that they're
not >> follow just so you know.
» Andy, would you help us with that motion? I'm sorry. Is there any other uh
questions or concerns from the council? >> Okay, Andy.
» Yeah. Um, a motion I I would say a motion to continue this um to what's the
date of the license review meeting? >> November.
» November 18th is correct. >> Yep. To November 18th.
» So move. >> Second.
» Do you need any clarification on any of those points as part of the motion?
Okay. All right. So we have a a motion made by Mary. Sorry, Tony. Seconded by
Mary. Any other discussion hearing? None. All in favor? I.
» Any opposed? >> Thank you.
» Thank you. >> Thank you.
» Thank you. >> Thank you,
» Mr. Chairman and members of the council. The next item on the agenda is F1. This
is Diane Maderas, the executive director of East Bay Community Development
Corporation, 150 Franklin Street. This is a request for consideration of a
compact vehicle only sign after the two no parking spaces on the west side of
the elderly care facility. >> Hello, Diane.
So, what's in front of us is a request um for consideration for a couple of uh
compact vehicle only sign, more specifically uh parking in uh in
proximity to the exit of the parking lot of Franklin Court. What I'd like to
propose to this council is that on a semi-reent meeting, we spoke about uh
and we are going to complete this uh Franklin Street study and how it affects
not only the neighborhood but in Franklin Court is part of the
neighborhood of course. Um I would suggest that we continue this uh and
make this part of that study. I spoke to the to the administrator earlier and uh
this was a portion of his suggestion. I like it. Um, and that will make sure
that the Franklin court has input so they can share what they see as the
issue right now. So the study includes that and is considered.
» Does that make sense to this council? >> I certainly do.
» So So Mr. Chairman, this would this would really aim to get to the core of
it. It it won't necessarily lead to the compact car signs, but there might be
other solutions through this study that might resolve this situation. Is that
what I'm hearing? Okay. >> Well said.
» Yeah. >> Can I have a motion to that effect?
» Uh, so move. >> Second.
» Motion made by Aaron, seconded by Tony as stated. Any discussion
» hearing? None. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Thank you.
» Thank you, >> Mr. Chairman and members of the council.
The next item on the agenda is F2. This is Gregory Pastor, 44 Church Street.
This is a request for removal of accessible parking space located in
front of the residence. This is second reading.
Based on the recommendation, I make a motion that we approve it.
» Second. >> Motion made by Tony, seconded by Mary as
stated. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor? I.
» Any opposed? Thank you. >> The next item on the agenda is F3. This
is Richard Roachcha, 9 Jessica Drive. Request the installation of two stop
signs at the intersection of Kathy Core and Jessica Drive.
» Is the app the petitioner here? No. So, what's in front of this council,
as just stated by the clerk, is a request for two stop signs at the
intersection of Kathy Court and Jessica Drive. Um, we've had some recent
requests to this council, not for specific actually specifically this,
right? We have one, we just read a first reading. Um, but I think what's missing
from this one is a petition from the petitioner uh with multiple signatures.
So maybe I'll say that a different way is that any impacted neighbors in that
area, we should this council should have a petition signed by those and I believe
that reasonably speaking it should be 75%
of the impacted neighbors approximately. Um we'll say the the large majority are
in favor of putting these stop signs there. Um so we have a couple options.
I'm obviously uh looking for council input on this, but I'm thinking that we
can continue this to our next meeting and share through the clerk. Um the the
requirement of that petition. Um and if this council prefers, we could push it
two meetings out. I'm not sure what we'd like to do. I would I would think we
could I would make a motion that we move it to the next meeting and that we um
just like ask our clerk to let the um petitioner know what we're asking for.
It shouldn't be that difficult to get those signatures.
» Yeah. >> All right. So, we have a motion from
Mary to move this uh to continue this with those instructions and I'll second
that. >> Okay. So, we had
» Is there a I'm sorry. Is there a radius? Are you looking for like a a for 75% of
like on the road or between Kathy and Jessica or like a 200 foot radius of
that intersection 75% like how do I >> that's a great question 75%.
» So I think we could follow in line and again I'm looking for my colleagues
input. Um we for the traffic calming I think we could follow the same premise.
Yeah >> that's a good reference and it's a good
it's also being consistent. So >> thank you.
She wanted that. >> Oh, sure. Absolutely.
» So, discussion did you I don't was somebody coming up to
» Oh, she might be for the next one. Okay. >> She's next.
» The the one from uh Kagashall that was um the petition we had last time. That
was very instructive as a really good way of somebody doing something like
that. Going around to the neighbors, >> talking to everybody, getting input,
making sure that people >> weren't going to be upset if they had to
stop at a stop sign every time now and everything like that.
» Mhm. and there's costs involved to the town um to verify the need and if so um
how to implement those things. So all right so we had a motion made by Mary
seconded by Tony as stated any other discussion. Uh just very briefly I
concur. I have a little hiccup. Excuse me. Um I
concur because the last thing we want is one one resident requests a sign goes up
and uh then the next thing is all the neighbors go up. Why? I was not
consulted you know. So obviously it is important that we have more than you
know be included on this uh decision. >> I agree. Any other discussion?
Hearing none. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Thank you.
» The next item on the agenda is F4. This is Melissa Parsons, executive director
of Biked Beach for Autism. This is a request for approval of cycling event
through Bristol on September 19th. >> Hi.
» You were here for this one, not the last one. I got it. Please state your name
and address for >> I was here last year.
» I'm Melissa Parsons. I'm with Bike to the Beach and we have our annual annual
cycling event that benefits local nonprofits serving the autism and
disability communities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and we're going to be
coming through with your approval through uh through Bristol.
» If I may, uh could you refresh you using what route are you following through 136
114? I know you're going through the bridges that piece I read through.
» Yes. Yes. But uh I wasn't very clear which route you follow.
» Let me let me bring it up unless it's is it in the Let me bring it
up. >> I believe it's in the packet.
» Was I missed
» I'll get it here in just one minute. >> Candy page 97 I think.
» No. >> Thank you.
» Yeah, it starts on page 97. >> It is. And the map is 102.
» 102. >> Yeah.
» Okay. >> This is a very complete application.
Thank you. There's about 25 pages in here.
» It goes to show how much we got in this packet. Right.
» All set. Thank you. >> Okay. Council.
» Um based on recommendations. Is there a recommendation is no, but I guess there
has not been an issue. Yes, Chief. >> Yeah. Unfortunat um this petition didn't
process through the police department. Do you know if there's going to be any
traffic officers that are going to be needed or detail officers?
» Yes. And I was actually just texting my colleague now. I wasn't sure if he had
already submitted that to the police department, but if he hasn't, it it
should be coming over because we would love to enlist your help as we did in
prior years. Okay. >> If you have the availability.
» Yeah. May I make a suggestion? Why don't we do a if this council agrees that we
can approve it and then um >> Exactly. And working with the the the
police chief and the police department. Yes.
» For an appropriate um if officers are necessary, then we defer to the police
chief to to to put those systems in place working with the applicant. Is
that okay with everybody? >> That's exactly what I said.
» That's what I couldn't get it out. >> Okay. So that was a motion made by Tony.
Was there a second? I'm sorry. >> Second.
» Motion made by Tony, seconded by Aaron as stated. Any discussion hearing? None.
All in favor? >> Any opposed? Thank you. Good luck.
» Thank you very much. And we'll be in touch. Take care.
» Mr. Chairman and members of the council, the next item on the agenda is G1. This
is the Newport and Bristol County Convention and Visitors Bureau. U also
known as Discover Bristol. I mean Discover Newport. This is for a 1
three-year term set to expire in July 2029. We have Steven Bridgy with
interest in reappointment and Elaine White with interest in appointment.
» Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to reappoint Steve Bridgy.
» Second. >> Motion made by Tony, seconded by Mary.
Discussion. I'll add I spoke to both applicants prior to uh this meeting. Um,
and uh, that I I shared with both that it's typically the council's practice to
reappoint unless there's some reason not to, which is what you've heard as as a
motion in a second. And I also like to share that um, Elaine shared that she'd
like to uh, and she or her intentions is to go to these meetings to become um,
more uh, aware of what's happening there on a momentto- moment basis and lend her
support as she's part of Explore Bristol. She was obviously the chairman
of the 250 committee um to represent um the the merchants of downtown plus uh
the town of Bristol along with Steven Bridgy. So wanted to have that for the
record. >> Any other discussion?
» No, I I'm glad that you made you mentioned that uh Mr. Chairman because
obviously Elaine would certainly be a great candidate to represent Bristol and
she's done a terrific job, you know, in many other committees along the way. So,
we appreciate her efforts and her volunteerism.
» Tony, I'll add that sometimes I wish I had half the energy and passion that
Elaine White had for this kind of stuff. That's awesome.
» I think that I think um this shows like once again that we have I mean we're
very lucky in this town that we have very good and highly qualified
candidates that want to go on our boards and commissions and represent the town
in other things around the state. So, we're very blessed with that.
» Well said to all of you. Any other discussion? Hearing none. All in favor?
I. Any opposed? Thank you, >> Mr. Chairman and members of the council.
The next item on the agenda is G2. This is the historic district commission.
This is for one three-year unexpired second auxiliary member set to expire in
July 2027. And we have Blair Moore with interest in appointment.
» Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that we set a um well, a motion. Do I need to
make a motion? >> Yes, it would be a motion to set an
interview uh with Mr. more. >> Can we shoot for the September 16th
meeting? That's our next one. And if the council is amendable to it, uh possibly
start at 6:30 for that one interview. Does that work for everyone? I don't
know if it works for the applicant, but we can attempt to go.
» We can put September 16th at 6:30 or at the convenience of the all parties.
» Yes, that works. Perfect. >> So, Tony, that was your motion. Was
there a second? >> Second. There was a motion of Tony,
seconded by Aaron. Any other discussion? Hearing none. All in favor?
» Any opposed? Thank you. >> The next item on the agenda is H1. This
is the municipal liquor licensing practice. This was the review of the
draft policy/guidelines and phased approach. And this was
continued from July 29, 2026. And there's a resolution of a policy on
liquor license applications attached. And just to be consistent, I propose
that we continue it again for no other reason that all five council people are
not here. And this is an important uh topic. All topics are important, but
this one in particular. So if we could continue this to the next meeting, so
all of us are here. >> So I'll move
» second. >> Motion made by Tony, seconded by Mary.
Any other discussion? Hearing none. All in favor. Any opposed? Thank you.
Okay. The next item on the agenda is I1. This is Councilman Lei. This is
discussion and consideration of the potential impacts of data centers on the
town and related zoning regulations regarding their construction and
sighting in Bristol. >> Councilman.
» All right. Thanks everybody. Thanks uh for your time. One of the reasons why I
wanted to bring this up, I added a um some supporting material in there from
Smithfield, Rhode Island, who's dealing with this situation right now. And I
asked to have this on the agenda because there's so much going on right now and I
did have a chance to talk to Diane a little bit about this and learned that
our zoning table say nothing about data centers yet. So I wanted to get the
conversation going with my colleagues so that we don't uh get caught flatfooted
on this one. One of the reasons there's several reasons why I'm concerned about
this. I could lay out really a long list of concerns, but there's two that I
think that are especially important here. The first is scale and uh
permanence of of data centers. These are large buildings with substantial
mechanical equipment. Once they're cited, it's there. It's not going away.
So, we have one chance to deal with this. The second is nuisance
uh and the day-to-day impact on neighbors who might be exposed to these.
The cooling equipment for data centers runs constantly. Backup generators are
tested frequently and on a regular schedule. And then trucks and equipment
that service these things are uh always coming and going causing diesel
emissions and things like that. So, for me, one of the things I would do, I
personally would be interested in addressing this through our zoning
tables the same way that we just recently did with the short-term
rentals. Uh, but I'd like to hear from my colleagues to see what their thoughts
are and whether there's any interest in moving forward on something like that.
» Well, I I don't think it hurts to have it in either our comp plan or in our
zoning tables. I don't really think that Bristol has any land large enough to be
able to accommodate such a data center. So, I don't think it's
going to be something that we going to have to address, at least in the scale
that they have right now, nor do we have really the infrastructure, the highway
access and things like that. So, unlike maybe Smithfield, which does have large
tracks of land still, I don't think we're in a immediate danger of having
somebody coming knocking to do such a thing, but it wouldn't hurt to have it
in. And is it something that's come up at the comp plan discussions or anything
like that? >> Yeah. No.
» Diane, if if you were to envision adding this to our zoning table, what would it
look like in very high level?
» So, super high level. I would envision it being a I would I would and just so
you know in conversations with um Ed Tanner who's also the zoning officer I
if a use is not specifically listed in the table then it is not allowed unless
the petitioner could prove that it's similar to another use that is listed.
So in his opinion there would be no other use similar and we could say no.
But to Aaron's point, if you want to have something specifically prohibiting
them, I would say it would be a a use listed in the use table with a no with
an N for no in all resident in all the zoning districts.
» Mhm. >> That's how I would see it.
» I guess I'm not advocating in any way for data centers just but following
questions is that it would seem to me data centers what I'm picturing are
massive, right? But maybe they're not massive. Are what if is if if you define
a data center as servers inside, can it be 5,000 square ft? My research says
yes. Again, I'm not advocating for a data center, but I'm wondering at what
point are we are we excluding something like that that we would be fine with if
it was small? So I guess what I'm saying is should we define and it seemed to be
the answer yes is how big is big how much is too much kind of thing and how
much is not too much. I'll say it one more time. I'm not advocating for data
centers, but just saying that that if I don't I'm not for large did a I I'm
assuming that all of you and certainly Aaron did some research on it and I
consider myself techie a little bit and been following this for a while and
everybody's seen uh prices for electronics go up because of the RAM
shortage based off data centers. So there's a lot of things that affect, but
as it pertains to zoning, I'm wondering if it was a small building, do we care?
Is it a big deal? I don't think as Mary pointed out earlier that our
infrastructure is not there both for electrical for a large data center. We
also don't have um a multi-ter connection for what would be required
for it. But I also agree was what was said that I don't have a problem with it
being put into the zoning. I just need a better definition because I can't
imagine us saying no to something like 5,000 square feet, right? But definitely
saying no to a large one, >> right? And maybe similar to what we do
with other uses. It's sort of a scaled, you know, it's a no if you're big and
maybe a special use permit if you're small.
» See, and that's a nice way of doing it. I I would also like to research a little
bit about um as you say, you know, where these
typically are are proposed because I know we've been really um we advocate
strongly to keep the manufacturing zoned property for jobs and I'm not sure that
these really come with jobs. I don't. >> So maybe as an accessory use to an
existing building or in a building that can build an addition to support this.
I'm just I just want to look into that a little bit more too. But maybe we could
refer it to the planning board and then they could study it like they did with
the short-term rental, come back with a recommendation for you.
» You know, one of the things I think about the jobs question is I think it's
true that there's not a lot of jobs, you know, like daytoday, but there would be
a lot of jobs on the construction end of it. And I know a lot of times in Rhode
Island, um the uh construction workers become, you know, very vocal in terms of
which is fine, you know, because there's going to be a lot of jobs to build stuff
like that. >> Um so, you know, I always think it's
tricky like do we mean ongoing permanent jobs of like highpaying or do we mean
construction jobs that might be depending on what you're building could
take a considerable amount of time um that would keep people working.
But I I agree with Nathan in the sense that because it can always be changed or
we can just do it as like a special user discussion. I mean right now as we know
what they are, we don't have the space for it. We don't really Bristol's not
really a qualifying place, I wouldn't think. But in a couple of years, who
knows? They might shrink way down and to be much smaller, much quieter, use a lot
less um energy and resources, so forth. And then that might be something that
you we'd want to look at. So either we then change the zone or change the
zoning tables we check on every periodically every so often or we just
let it in by special use if it is something that the technology has
changed or it's much smaller. >> Mhm.
» So what I would Tony >> uh I just have I I've heard about them.
Okay. But do do we have any locally? I mean in the state of Rhode Island is has
any community already taken up one? I know there was some discussion. I think
was it the South Kingston, North King? >> Smithfield or Smithfield.
» South Kingstone just had a had it come up on their agenda too. I think they
were being more proactive like we would be on it, but I don't think they had
somebody applying for one. >> Gotcha. Okay. But currently there's none
in Rhode Island that we are aware of. >> I'm not aware of any. Okay. I don't
think I don't think there are. But I mean some of the places I mean some it's
very become very controversial everywhere even places that have it
» and it is you know how disruptive it can be to even I was just listening. It
happened to be on today a news program just a lot in county and um Virginia. I
think they're bringing in something like 1.3 billion to the town to the county to
the county. Um, but like one part is more uh urban and that's where they're
located. I'm using the word urban. I'm not saying it's urban. And then the
other part is more farmland like across like the other side of the county and
but yet all these electrical poles and stuff have to go through the farmland
» and so they're not very happy with it. You know what I mean? So I think there's
a lot to consider and a lot more than we probably all know because we live in
basically a city state, >> right? And and my understanding is um
they use a lot of uh resources like um water to cool the unit. So there's a
huge demand for some of the those resources too.
» It's funny is that it's and this is why research is so important is that a large
data center uses as much as an 18hole golf course.
» Oh my god. So when you start doing it, so but there's no question about an
18hole golf course. >> I'm going to say it one more time. I'm
not advocating for data centers. It's just a balance. That's just an
interesting topic. It's an interesting topic that is out there being talked
about by a lot of places with, you know, vast tracks of land. And what they're
talking about also in the electrical power is
» that they would have to generate their own power maybe through small uh nuclear
reactors. So those are all things that you know the small ones like submarines
use. So those are all things that are out there in the world I think being
discussed and Nathan obviously researched it far more than I have but
just in hearing about it and thinking about it a little bit
» I would say and Erin this was your agenda item I would say that Dian's
suggestion to refer to the planning board for discussion and recommendation
back to the council would be seems very appropriate.
» All right. Well I got a motion here to that effect. I think that, you know,
certainly I think the verdict is still out on data centers. I think that our
conversation here captured it very nicely where um it could be a positive
thing for us to just pump the brakes a little bit on on these and wait and see
a little bit and then tailor our our zoning ordinances around to something
that we're very comfortable with. And I think we can do that in partnership with
our planning board. So, I'll make a motion to refer the question of data
center land use to the planning board uh and to return to this council with a
recommended definition of of data center >> and um
» and proposals >> a recommendation for uh where they can
be used. >> Yeah.
» Is that >> Yeah. So to to add it to the zoning
table. >> Zoning table. Yeah.
» Second. >> Motion made by Aaron, seconded by Tony
as stated. Any other discussion? >> Yes. Just simply thank you for bringing
that this to our temple. >> Absolutely. Thanks for the conversation,
guys. >> Any other discussion?
» Hearing none. All in favor? I. Any opposed?
» Thank you, >> Mr. Chairman and members of the council.
The next item on the agenda is me. I too, Clerk Ado with upcoming election
details. >> Long day.
» Thanks for I know. Did I hear that um early voting s tomorrow?
» Yes. So, uh, elections come fast and furious. So, if you haven't gotten about
10,000 rooc calls, you know that elections right around the corner. So, I
just wanted to let uh just forformational, uh, public information,
the state primary is going to be on a Wednesday this year, not on a Tuesday.
It'll be on Wednesday, September 9th. There was legislation that passed that
because it's after the day of Labor Day. They're going to be moving it to the
Wednesday. So, um, the September primary will be on Wednesday, September 9th.
Polls open at 7:00 a.m. They close at 8:00 p.m. Early voting starts tomorrow,
August 20th, and that will run through September 8th, the day before election.
Early voting will be held at the Catera School Building this year, which is 35
Washington Street. The hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. and it will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, September 7th. The uh for the
primary, we are condensing to five polling locations. We sent out pretty
little postcards to every registered voter, so you should have gotten one in
the mail. If you didn't get it, you can go on vot.gov to see where your polling
location is going to be, or you can call us here at the Bristol Town Hall. We
will gladly help you figure out where your polling location will be on
election day. Um, the general election will be on November 3rd. Um, and just so
everybody knows, the mail-in ballots do need to be returned by election day,
September 9th, by the close of the election at 8:00 p.m. Those can be
returned either by mail in any dropbox in front of this any city hall within
the state of Rhode Island or at any polling location on election day. They
will they have a dropbox there that you can drop them off. And again, if anybody
has any questions, they can call town hall or go on vote.gov.
Melissa, uh, Melissa, what door at the Echiter School? It would be in the back
or >> It is the back door. It's the ADA
accessible door. We put the signs out today. So, it's marked and there'll be
more signs going out tomorrow. >> So, it will be right where the parking
is. >> It's right where the parking is. There's
two There's three ADA accessible spots right in the front. It's ADA accessible
through the the side and it goes right through the fence and there's signs all
the way around the building. >> Okay. Thank you.
» You're welcome. >> Just need a motion to receive files. A
motion to receive and file. >> Second.
» Motion made by Tony, seconded by Aaron. Any other discussion?
» Yes. That thank you for all your efforts.
» Thank you. Thank you. >> Well said.
» All in favor? I. >> Any opposed?
» You. >> The next item on the agenda is I3. This
is public notice. RIDM, Office of Water Resources, Jeffrey Vincent, 11 Waterview
Lane, Warren, requesting permission to alter a freshwater wetland at the
intersection of Tilbury and Leah Drive. This requires uh a response by September
8th. And I just want to note a memo from the community development officer that's
noted as received at meeting I3 on your DAS.
» Diane, instead of us reading this, could you give us the eye level on this?
» I can. So um as you know, this is sent to you for um public comment from the
DEM. they send it to individuals and agencies uh for um that invitation to
provide comments. I also wanted to note that the town is also in a butter to
this site. There's three lots that were acquired um a few years ago from a um uh
tax sale that the developer changed his mind on. So those are open space wetland
parcels. this lot. Um I I reviewed this application uh the I reviewed the
application submitted with the DEM paperwork and I also um did some
research in our records to kind of give you some um points that I think you
should submit to the DEM. Um the first is the property is an undeveloped
non-conforming single lot of record containing approximately 6,835
ft of lot area. The wetland flagging shown on the plan indicates that almost
the entire lot consists of wetlands. Um, the proposed foundation is shown as
being in the water table with a foundation drain that discharges to a
pad behind the building proposed building. It does not indicate that this
is a sump pump, but based on the foundation elevation and the water
table, uh, a sump pump is more than likely going to be necessary and sump
pumps in the water table pump constantly. Um, obviously, um, I did
review the town's GIS drainage map. There is no drainage in Tilbury Drive.
There is no drainage um in Whopping Drive north of Ley, which is the area of
the neighborhood where this property is. Um
there is uh drainage in Basswood, but it's further south. It doesn't come that
far north. So, storm water runoff in this area is mostly overland, and the
wetlands serve to um help to store that storm water flow overland. Um
we have been called out um several times over the last few years to um
investigate and try to address the existing drainage and flooding problem
primarily with homes on basswood. We've had our engineering engineer consultants
out there. They've looked at it with us. There is no easy way to connect the
drainage um to that neighborhood. And we did do our due diligence. We, like I
said, we've been out several times to see if there is something that can be
done on the town's land or in the road, and it just seems like it's not very
feasible. Um, so with the alteration of the wetlands and the additional
impervious area and some pump water that this site will discharge, I have
concerns about exacerbating the existing flooding problems in the neighborhood.
Um, in review of the town's GIS map layer for the Bristol County Water
Authority, there are several areas without public water availability,
including Tilbury, Belvadier, sections of Opichi, Septton, and Basswood drives.
So, many homes in this neighborhood rely on private wells. The wetlands help to
serve as a recharge for maintaining groundwater capacity and um it is needed
in this area because there is no uh public water. So, I would just like to
have you note those um in a correspondence to the DEM.
» So, we can do that through uh the clerk if this council concurs and share um
these >> points of concern with the um through
through that on uh advice of our community development director.
» Yes. And just to note that deadline for the comments is uh precluding uh
comments from the planning board because they don't meet before the deadline. So
that's why I offered my comments to >> Thank you. So, I move that we um provide
the comments um to DEM as to how this will affect the neighborhood in the town
um and ask the clerk to meet with um our planning director and director of
community development, I should say, and come up with all the correct uh
information and wording that and points that we want to point out.
» Okay. >> So, a second.
» Motion made by Mary, seconded by Tony. A stated discussion.
» Uh yes. you know, bless you. I I >> I know we've lived I'm not going to say
I we have lived through quite a few of these situations. You know, I could
highlight a few of them. You know, Harker Harker was one of them. Uh at the
corner of Wood and Hope. Uh there's another area there and there's been a
couple other areas throughout town where, you know, if we don't do due
diligence, make folks aware that there is concerns, then we are in a hook. the
hotel if possible. >> Yes, the hotel is another one. Uh so
there are some concerns. So I'm glad we uh forward the our concerns to DEM.
» I think the one thing that is important to note just for people that may not be
familiar with it is that DEM has the ultimate say on whether you can fill a
wetlands or not. Not not Bristol Planning Board, zoning board, town
council. So that's why it's important to like get these words out to them and
maybe they'll pay attention, maybe they won't. Thank you, Mary. That's a good
point. >> Any other discussion?
» Diane, thanks. Thanks for all the work on this. I used to live in this area, so
I remember the water issues over there. It is uh it can get pretty bad. I
believe in the springtime is it usually the worst.
» Yes. >> Yeah.
» Any other discussion hearing? None. All in favor? I.
» Any opposed? Thank you. Thanks, Diane. >> Thank you.
» You're welcome, >> Mr. Chairman, members of the council.
The next item on the agenda is J1. This is bid number 1093. Catering services
for the 4th of July ball 2027.
» We had I know you just had it. >> I can't believe on the ball.
» Fourth of July ball. >> They're going to they're going to be
able to clear this all year. They're going to get make sure they get their
food saved up. I know. >> So, we did have the bid opening today at
12. We received one bid. The bid was received from CP Catering. It was option
one, sit down in the amount of $40,155 and that was uh for $145 per person. And
then option two, which was food stations in the amount of 42,95
with 155 per plate person. >> Make a motion to refer to administrator
in the 4th of July committee to act on it in the best interest of the town.
» Second. >> Motion made by Tony, seconded by Mary as
stated. Any discussion hearing? None. All in favor?
» Any opposed? Thank you. >> The next item on the agenda is J2. This
is bid number 1094. This is the curbside collection of residential yard waste. We
did also have the bid opening today at noon. We received two bids. The first
bid is from Landscaping Services, Inc. And this is base bid A. Total amount was
to be determined. Base bid B was in the amount of $1,160,597
with a vehicle price of $45,000. The next bid was from MTG Disposals LLC.
This was a base bid A for option A in the amount of 1,872,900.
Base bid B option in the amount of 1,872,900.
And then they also provided a 5-year option. Base bid A 2,792,600
and the base bid V also for the 5year in the amount of 2,792,600.
No vehicle.
» H interesting. Landscaping service. Where are they from? Did they give an
address? >> From Bristol State big.
» Oh, okay. and MTG. Where are they from? >> That's
a disposal company somewhere in Rhode Island. Rhode Island.
» Oh, okay. Bristol. >> All right. Uh, I make a motion to refer
to the Distra to act in the best interest of the D.
» Second. >> Motion made by Tony, seconded by Mary as
stated. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I.
» Any opposed? Thank you. >> The next item on the agenda is J3. This
is bid 1095, fireworks display for parks and recreation. We had the bid opening
today at 12. We received one bid from Pyro Technical in the amount of 18,000.
» Make a motion to refer to the uh town administrator to act in the best
interest of the town. >> Second.
» Motion made by Tony, seconded by Mary. Any discussion?
I'll just add that I um we haven't had fireworks in quite a few years and last
night concert has been in and out. I think it's I love it. Um but I don't
know if it's something that we can do every year but when we can do it I think
it's wonderful. So any other discussion >> hearing none all in favor? Any opposed?
Thank you. >> So chairman and the last item on the
agenda is J4. This is Chairman Caluro. Discussion and possible action regarding
the transfer of the public media budget line item to the town administrative's
budget for the payment of town council meeting recordings and broadcasting
services. >> So actually there is no discussion
necessary on this. Um I'm just going to ask for a motion to table. Uh the
discussion happened initially about proposed changes and how these are
completed but uh after further discussion unnecessary. So I just need a
motion to table. So move >> there. Motion made by Tony, seconded by
Mary to table. Any other discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor?
» Any opposed? Thank you. >> Uh ladies and gentlemen, we just need a
motion to adjourn. >> My friend from from Bar um who does the
report for the water authority must be on vacation.
» Oh yeah, that's right. The water report. this part of the show we're usually at
BCWA and we >> we're on mo we're on automatic on it. So
I just need a motion to adjurnn, please. >> So move.
» Motion made by is there a second? Motion made by Tony, seconded by Aaron to
adjourn. So this is the end of the meeting. Normally we go into executive
session. There isn't any tonight. So we say to all of you, good night. Thank
you. Good night. >> Thank you.