Town Council Meeting Wednesday, July 29, 2026 07:00 PM Town Hall - 10 Court Street, Bristol Rhode Island

Note: If communications assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation, please contact the Town Clerk’s office at 253-7000. Anyone requesting interpretive services for the deaf or hard of hearing must notify the Town Clerk’s office at 253-7000, 72 hours in advance of the meeting date and anyone requesting assistive listening devices or wishing to speak on a matter designated “CA” (consent agenda) or citizens public forum on the council docket must notify the Council Clerk prior to the commencement of the meeting.

In-Person Participation Only

The public may VIEW the meeting live by using the following link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85636303026, or by visiting zoom.com meeting code 856-3630-3026. Please be advised, this link will NOT allow for public participation and access, or live stream is not guaranteed. 

Please be advised that the council intends to discuss and/or act upon each and every item appearing on this agenda

Present:

Meeting Dates:

August 19, 2026 - Town Council Meeting
September 16, 2026 - Town Council Meeting
October 7, 2026 - Town Council Meeting
October 28, 2026 - Town Council Meeting
November 18, 2026 - Town Council Meeting

The Pledge of Allegiance

Motion RE: Consent Agenda -  To Approve the Consent Agenda

A.Submission of Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

  1. A1.Town Council Meeting Minutes - June 24, 2026

B.Public Hearings

C.Ordinances

D.Licensing Board - New Petitions

  1. D1.Adolfo Escoto, Don Taco & Tequila, 468 Hope Street request one day Liquor License extension of hours on August 15, 2026, to 1:00 AM

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Fire Chief

    c. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Community Development

  2. D2.Travis Brassard, Stone Soup Kitchen, LLC, 676 Hope Street request for Victualling License

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Fire Chief

    c. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Community Development

    d. recommendation - Town Administrator and Water Pollution Control

E.Licensing Board - Renewals

  1. E1.Private Investigator License Renewals 2026-2027 for:

    Charles Galligan, 83 Fales Road
    Veronica Ramos, 23 Fernwood Road
    Stephen Payne, 124 Windward Lane
    Charles Camara, 17 Dixon Avenue

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

  2. E2.Dog Kennel License Renewals 2026-2027 for:

    Matthew Dame, A Dog's Life - 36 Spring Street
    Donna Olivo, All Paw's Inn - 185 Bayview Avenue
    Allison Barr, Allison's Pampered Pets - 7 Michael Drive
    Ashley Preite, Ashley Preite Grooming, LLC - 629 Metacom Avenue
    Karen McCarthy, Courteous Canine - 1 Vasta Lane
    Erin Meyer, Crate Escape Doggie Day Camp - 15 Gooding Avenue, Unit 17 & 18
    Erin Meyer, Crate Escape Doggie Day Camp - 64 Ballou Blvd
    Karl Correia, East Bay Kennels - 47 Broad Common Road
    Kali Cordes, Kali's Cottage Pet Boarding

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police (Animal Control)

    b recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Community Development

F.Petitions - Other

  1. F1.Maria Semeraro-Bellanca, 43 Bayview Avenue, Unit #2F, request for Accessible Parking Space in the Vicinity of Residence (review/2nd Reading)

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Public Works

    c. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police (Updated)

    d. (Draft) 2nd Reading Resolution - Resolution No. 2026-7-29-F2

  2. F2.Richard and Monica Chartier, 36 Platt Street request traffic sign installment and a 4-way stop at the intersection of Coggeshall Avenue and Platt Street

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Community Development

    c. recommendation - Town Administrator and Department of Public Works

  3. F3.James Crouch, 139 Bradford Street, Unit 1F requesting a Mobile Food Event Permit on August 16, 2026, at Independence Park from 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM for post Wedding Breakfast 

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Fire Chief

    c. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Parks & Recreation

    d. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Public Works

  4. F4.Gregory Pastore, 44 Church Street request for the removal of an accessible parking space located in front of residence (1st Reading)

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Public Works

G.Appointments

  1. G1.Rogers Free Library Board of Trustees - 1 three-year term set to expire January 2029

    a. Kaitlyn Carmody, 12 Ellen Street - interested/appointment

    b. Christina Palmer, 7 Church Cove Road - interested/appointment

    c. recommendation - Anne Silvia, Chair of RFL Board of Trustees for appointment of Kaitlyn Carmody

H.Old Business

  1. H1.Proposed License to Maintain agreement between Town of Bristol and Joseph B & Judy A Jorge, for a strip of land abutting 27 Surf Drive - continued from January 17, 2024 (call for Public Hearing August 19th)

    a. memo from Town Solicitor

  2. H2. Review of  Municipal Liquor Licensing Practices (Phased Approach- requested by council continued from April 22nd)

    a. Compiled Council Recommendations submitted
    b. Councilman Ley - Recommendations
    c. Councilman Sweeny - Recommendations
    d. Councilman Teixeira - Recommendations
    e. Vice Chairwoman Parella - Recommendations

I.Other New Business Requiring Town Council Action

  1. I1.Town Administrator Contente - Brewster Thornton Group Guiteras School Design Development Update

  2. I2.Town Administrator Contente -  Correspondence Regarding the Town's S&P Global Bond Rating (Informational)

  3. I3.Fire Chief DeMello regarding Board of Engineers recommendation of Residential Recreational Fires

    a. Vice Chairwoman Parella - consideration of the previously proposed 2015 Firepit Ordinance

  4. I4.Director Williamson proposed amendment to the Short-Term Rental Zoning Ordinance

    a. (draft) Ordinance

  5. I5.Director Williamson Draft amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding the Flood Zones

CF.Citizens Public Forum
PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK DURING THE CITIZENS PUBLIC FORUM MUST NOTIFY THE COUNCIL CLERK PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEETING

J.Bills & Expenditures

  1. J1.Bid No. 1091 2026 Road Resurfacing Project

  2. J2.Bid No. 1092 Property Surveys for Drainage Easements

K.Special Reports

  1. K1.BCWA Tri-Town Monthly Report - June 24, 2026

L.Town Solicitor

M.Executive Sessions

  1. M1.Town Administrator Contente request for Executive Session Pursuant to RIGL § 42-46-5 (a)(5), acquisition or lease of real property for public purposes.

Consent Agenda Items:

(CA) AA.Submission of Minutes - Boards and Commissions

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to receive and place these items on file”

  1. (CA) AA1.Rogers Free Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes - April 16, 2026

  2. (CA) AA2.Bristol Fire Department Board of Engineers Meeting Minutes - June 29, 2026

  3. (CA) AA3.Properties Committee of the BCWA Meeting Minutes - May 20, 2026

  4. (CA) AA4.BCWA Board Meeting Minutes - May 27, 2026

  5. (CA) AA5.BCWA Annual Meeting Minutes - May 27, 2026

  6. (CA) AA6.BCWA Finance Committee Meeting Minutes - June 9, 2026

  7. (CA) AA7.Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2026

  8. (CA) AA8.Zoning Board Meeting Minutes - June 1, 2026

  9. (CA) AA9.Rogers Free Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes - May 21, 2026

(CA) BB.Budget Adjustments

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to approve these adjustments”

  1. (CA) BB1.Tax Assessor Leadem - Recommended Abatements & Additions for July 2026

(CA) CC.Financial Reports

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to receive and place these items on file”

  1. (CA) CC1.Treasurer Carulli YTD Budget to Actual for month end June 2026

(CA) DD.Proclamations, Resolutions & Citations

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to adopt these Proclamations, Resolutions and Citations as prepared and presented”

  1. (CA) DD1.Proclamation - Thomas M. Carrol 2026, Chief Marshal of the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration (signed)

(CA) EE.Utility Petitions

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to approve these petitions”

(CA) FF.City & Town Resolutions Not Previously Considered

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to receive and place these items on file”

(CA) GG.Distributions/Communications

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to receive and place these items on file”

  1. (CA) GG1.Council Chairman Calouro on behalf of the Bristol Town Council regarding House Bill H7676/Senate Bill S2612 to Rhode Island Senate

  2. (CA) GG2.Town Administrator Contente regarding Designation of Acting Town Administrator 

  3. (CA) GG3.ACLU Report- Access to Public Meetings - RI City and Town Councils and School Committees

  4. (CA) GG4.Tupelo Realty Court Street Parking Lot Proposed Lease Agreement (signed)

  5. (CA) GG5.Communication memo from Town Solicitor regarding Newly Enacted Legislation Pertaining to Land Use

(CA) HH.Distributions/Notice of Meetings
(Office copy only)

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to receive and place these items on file”

  1. (CA) HH1.Rogers Free Library Board of Trustees Meeting - June 25, 2026

  2. (CA) HH2.Planning Board Technical Review Committee Meeting - June 30, 2026

  3. (CA) HH3.Budget and Declining Enrollment Workgroup Meeting - June 25, 2026 (CANCELLED)

  4. (CA) HH4.Bristol 4th of July Committee Parade Subcommittee Meeting - June 27, 2026

  5. (CA) HH5.Zoning Board of Review Meeting - July 13, 2026

  6. (CA) HH6.BCWA - July Board Meeting Cancelled

  7. (CA) HH7.Planning Board Meeting - July 9, 2026

  8. (CA) HH8.Board of Canvassers Meeting - July 15, 2026

  9. (CA) HH9.Board of Canvassers Meeting - July 20, 2026 (4:30)

  10. (CA) HH10.Board of Canvassers Meeting - July 20, 2026 at (3:30 PM)

  11. (CA) HH11.Bristol Fourth of July Committee General Committee Meeting - July 14, 2026

  12. (CA) HH12.Conservation Commission Meeting - July 14, 2026

  13. (CA) HH13.Bristol Fourth of July Committee Golf Tournament Subcommittee Meeting - July 23, 2026

  14. (CA) HH14.Bristol Fourth of July Committee Four of Diamonds Subcommittee Meeting - July 27, 2026

  15. (CA) HH15.Planning Board Meeting - July 9, 2026

  16. (CA) HH16.Board of Canvassers Meeting - July 20, 2026

  17. (CA) HH17.Rogers Free Library Board of Trustees Meeting - July 16, 2026

  18. (CA) HH18.Planning Board Comprehensive Plan Meeting - July 23, 2026

  19. (CA) HH19.Historic District Commission Meeting - August 6, 2026

(CA) II.Claims (Referrals)

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to refer these items to the Insurance Committee and at its discretion to the Interlocal Trust”

  1. (CA) II1.Nicholas McGaw, 15 Hambly Road, Tiverton - claim for damages

(CA) JJ.Miscellaneous Items Requiring Council Approval

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to approve these items”

(CA) KK.Curb cut petitions as approved by the director of public works

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to grant these curb cuts per the recommendation of, and conditions specified by, the Director of Public Works”

Adjourned: ______________________

/mc

Posted: July 24, 2026