Town Council Meeting Wednesday, January 07, 2026 07:00 PM Town Hall - Council Chambers 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/81851319724, or by visiting zoom.com meeting code 818-5131-9724. Please be advised, this link will NOT allow for public participation. 

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

Present:

Meeting Dates:

January 28, 2026 - Town Council Meeting
February 18, 2026 - Town Council Meeting
March 11, 2026 - Town Council Meeting 
March 16, 17, 18, 23, 2026 - Budget Workshops
April 1, 2026 (vote on provisional) Meeting

Pledge of Allegiance

Special Recognitions 

Motion RE: Consent Agenda -  To Approve the Consent Agenda

A.Submission of Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

  1. A1.Town Council Meeting Minutes - December 10, 2025

  2. A2.Town Council Executive Session Meeting Minutes (sealed, council only) - December 10, 2025

  3. A3.Town Council Special Meeting Minutes (Legislative Workshop) - December 10, 2025

B.Public Hearings

C.Ordinances

  1. C1.Ordinance No. 2025-16 Chapter 16 Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Article V Stopping, Standing, and Parking, Section 16-145 (9) (changing Violation wording) (2nd Reading) 

  2. C2.Ordinance No. 2025-17- Chapter 8 Boats, Docs and Waterways Sec 8-72 (Parking Permits for Dock Holders)  Section 8-76 (Off-Season Parking at Marina Ferry Dock) and Chapter 16 Motor Vehicles and Traffic Sec. 16-382 Prudence Ferry Parking; Off-Season Parking- (to extend off-season parking  from November 16th to April 14th and establishment of fees by resolution 
    (2nd reading) (see also I1)  

  3. C3.Ordinance No. 2025-18 - Chapter 5 - Amusements, Article III - Shows Exhibitions and Entertainment, Section 5-92 - License application, information required and  Chapter 17 - Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, Article II - Alcoholic Beverage Establishments, Section 17-84 - Application, forms and required documentation, modifications to licensed premises. (changes to premise license sketches) (2nd reading)

D.Licensing Board - New Petitions

E.Licensing Board - Renewals

F.Petitions - Other

  1. F1.Lisa Belmore, 4 Domenic Court, requesting consideration of a traffic light at the intersection of Jameson Drive and Metacom Avenue- State Highway Route 136

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Public Works

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Community Development

  2. F2.Kayla DaSilva, 205 Franklin St, Unit 2, requests council consideration to keep Holiday lights installed after Christmas and reactivate for one month in June or July

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Public Works

G.Appointments

  1. G1.Assistant Harbor Master(s)- one-year Terms set to expire January 2027

    a. Recommendation: Harbor Master Marsili 

  2. G2.Auxiliary Harbor Master(s) appointments to fill one-year terms set to expire January 2027

    a. Recommendation: Harbor Master Marsili 

  3. G3.North & East Burial Grounds Commission - Appointments to fill 2 five-year terms, set to expire January 2031

    a. Ed Carusi, 64 Mt. Hope Avenue - interest/reappointment

H.Old Business

  1. H1.Discussion and Possible Action – Council Request for Harbor Commission Chair and Harbormaster to Coordinate Review of CRMC Applications for Harbor Planning (continued from September 10, 2025)

I.Other New Business Requiring Town Council Action

  1. I1.(Draft) Resolution # 2026-1-07-I1 -Off-Season Parking at Marina Ferry Dock  fee modification - (from the town ordinance of $150 per month to a resolution at $125 per month fee) 

  2. I2.Town Clerk Cordeiro Proposed Amendment to Background Criminal Investigation (BCI) Policy (Adopted November 12, 2025)

  3. I3.Town Clerk Cordeiro re Council Consideration to Amend the Authorized Number of Class BV Liquor Licenses from 33 to 32 (due to the non-renewal and closure of Baba Sushi, 205 Thames Street)

  4. I4.Town Administrator Contente Project Update of Municipal Projects - Calendar Year 2025

  5. I5.Fire Chief DeMello requests authorization to order a New Ladder 1 for the Fire Department

  6. I6.Director Williamson re: Update on Pilot Program for Food Compost Eastern RI Conservation District 

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. 1078 - Renovations to the Walley School Site

K.Special Reports

  1. K1.BCWA Tri-Town Report - December 2025

L.Town Solicitor

M.Executive Sessions

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.Bristol 250th Commission Meeting Minutes - October 21, 2025

  2. (CA) AA2.Bristol 250th Commission Meeting Minutes - November 18, 2025

  3. (CA) AA3.Rogers Free Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes - October 23, 2025

  4. (CA) AA4.Finance Committee of the BCWA Meeting Minutes - October 22, 2025

  5. (CA) AA5.BCWA Board Meeting Minutes - October 23, 2025

  6. (CA) AA6.BCWA Finance Committee Meeting Minutes - November 13, 2025

  7. (CA) AA7.Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes - November 6, 2025

  8. (CA) AA8.Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes - September 29, 2025

  9. (CA) AA9.Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes - October 15, 2025

  10. (CA) AA10.Planning Board Meeting Minutes - October 9, 2025

(CA) BB.Budget Adjustments

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

  1. (CA) BB1.Tax Assessor Leadem - Recommended Abatement & Additions as of December 29, 2025

(CA) CC.Financial Reports

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

  1. (CA) CC1.Town Treasurer Carulli- YTD- Budget to Actuals for the month-end of December

(CA) DD.Proclamations, Resolutions & Citations

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

  1. (CA) DD1.Resolution No. 2025-12-10-F2 Endorsing the Designation of Sowams as a National Heritage Area

  2. (CA) DD2.Resolution No. 2025-12-10-H2 Requesting Action by the Bristol-Warren Regional School District Regarding Recent School Bus Safety Legislation

  3. (CA) DD3.Resolution No. 2025-12-10-B1 Town Council Resolution Authorizing the Sale of Real Property of the Town

  4. (CA) DD4.Commendation - Robert J Annis - Achieving the Distinguished Rank of Eagle Scout

  5. (CA) DD5.Citation - Father Joseph A Escobar - Distinguished Service Award

  6. (CA) DD6.Commendation - Raymond B Murray III - Achieving the Prestigious Rank of Eagle Scout

(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”

  1. (CA) FF1.Resolution - Town of Warren Observance of the Victor Day Holiday

  2. (CA) FF2.Resolution - Town of Hopkinton in Support of an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island Authorizing the Town of Hopkinton to Confer Jurisdiction on the Hopkinton Municipal Court to Hear Certain Appeals

  3. (CA) FF3.Resolution 2025-10 - Town of West Greenwich Regarding Low and Moderate Income Housing

(CA) GG.Distributions/Communications

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

  1. (CA) GG1.Troop 6 Bristol Eagle Scout - Robert J Annis

  2. (CA) GG2.Troop 6 Bristol Eagle Scout - Raymond B Murray III

  3. (CA) GG3.Town Administrator Contente to Mr. Edward Cifune on his Reappointment to Continue Serving on the Building Code of Appeals Board

  4. (CA) GG4.Town Clerk Cordeiro to Alcoholic Beverage License Holder - Compliance Reminder: Food Service Requirement for All Liquor Licensees

  5. (CA) GG5.State of Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board Notice of Hearing

  6. (CA) GG6.Town Clerk Cordeiro to Mr. Raymond and Respected Members of the State Traffic Commission - Request for Review of Gooding Avenue & Metacom Avenue Pedestrian Signal Timing

  7. (CA) GG7.Town Administrator Contente to Mr. Brian Morrissette - On his reappointment to continue to serve on the Town of Bristol's Building Code of Appeals Board

  8. (CA) GG8.2024 Annual Report Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice

(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.Bristol County Water Authority Board of Directors Meeting - December 11, 2025

  2. (CA) HH2.Planning Board Meeting - December 11, 2025

  3. (CA) HH3.Planning Board Amended Meeting - December 11, 2025

  4. (CA) HH4.Recreation Board Meeting - December 17, 2025

  5. (CA) HH5.Bristol Planning Board Technical Review Committee Meeting - December 18, 2025

  6. (CA) HH6.Planning Board Comprehensive Plan Update Meeting - December 18, 2025

  7. (CA) HH7.Bristol Land Conservation Trust 2026 Calendar

  8. (CA) HH8.Bristol Historic District Commission 2026 Calendar

  9. (CA) HH9.Bristol Fourth of July 2026 General Committee Meeting Calendar

  10. (CA) HH10.Department of Community Development Planning Board 2026 Calendar

  11. (CA) HH11.Bristol Housing Authority 2026 Calendar

  12. (CA) HH12.Department of Community Development Zoning Board of Review 2026 Calendar

  13. (CA) HH13.Bristol Harbor Commission 2026 Calendar

  14. (CA) HH14.Rogers Free Library Board of Trustees Meeting - December 18, 2025

  15. (CA) HH15.Zoning Board of Review Meeting - January 5, 2026

  16. (CA) HH16.Amended Zoning Board of Review Meeting - January 5, 2026

  17. (CA) HH17.Bristol Fourth of July Committee Promotions Subcommittee Meeting - January 6, 2026

  18. (CA) HH18.Historic District Commission Meeting - January 6, 2026

  19. (CA) HH19.North and East Burial Grounds Commission 2026 Calendar

  20. (CA) HH20.BCWA 2026 Calendar

(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”

(CA) JJ.Miscellaneous Items Requiring Council Approval

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

  1. (CA) JJ1.Grant of Easement - Town of Bristol to Narragansett Electric Company off Chestnut Street and Naomi Street (AP117 Lots 4,5,6)

(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: ______________________

/cd

Posted: January 2, 2026