Town Council Meeting Wednesday, December 10, 2025 07:00 PM Town Hall - Council Chambers 10 Court Street, Bristol, Rhode Island 02809

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/83995375047, or by visiting zoom.com meeting code 839-9537-5047. 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 7, 2026 - Town Council Meeting
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 

Motion RE: Consent Agenda -  To Approve the Consent Agenda

A.Submission of Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

  1. A1.Town Council Meeting Minutes - November 12, 2025

  2. A2.Town Council Executive Session Meeting Minutes (sealed, council only) - November 12, 2025

B.Public Hearings

  1. B1.Public Hearing and Consideration for Adoption of Resolution re: pursuant to Town Charter section 208 (c), to authorize the Town of Bristol to sell Town Property on Greenway Drive, Plat 159, Lot 1057

C.Ordinances

  1. C1.Ordinance No. 2025-09 - Chapter 22 - Sewers and Sewage Disposal, Article V – (Building Sewers and Connections), Sec. 22-109 (Operations and Maintenance); Article VII- (Industrial Pretreatment Program), Section 22-235 (National categorical pretreatment standards); Section 22-236 (Local Limits) Article VIII- (Industrial User Permit Fee Schedule), Section 22-316 (Enumeration) (2nd reading) (continued from September 10th)

  2. C2.Ordinance No. 2025-16 Chapter 16 Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Article V Stopping, Standing, and Parking, Section 16-145 (9) (changing Violation wording) (1st Reading)

  3. C3.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 (1st reading)

  4. C4.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 license deliverables ) (1st reading)

D.Licensing Board - New Petitions

  1. D1.Karen Binder, Executive Director for Blithewold, Inc., 101 Ferry Road, Request for Victualling License 

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Fire Chief

    c. recommendation - Town Administrator and Water Pollution Control

  2. D2.Catherine Marshall for St. Elizabeth Holy Rosary Sodality, 577 Wood Street, request for a Bingo License on January 23rd from 5:30-9:30 pm

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Fire Chief

  3. D3.Margarida Chaves for VFW Post #237, 850 Hope Street - Requests for Bingo Licenses on the second Thursday of each month, through September 2026, 5:30-10:00 pm

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Fire Chief

  4. D4.Michael Cockcroft, Dean's Deli, 8 Gooding Avenue - 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. E1.6-month review - Karen Binder, Executive Director, Blithewold, Inc., 101 Ferry Road, re - Dancing & Entertainment License (continued from June 18, 2025)

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

  2. E2.6 Month Review -WKOC, LLC d/b/a Portside Tavern, Richard Corrente, 444 Thames Street – Modification of BV Intoxicating Beverage License for expansion of premises (to include a portion of outdoor seating) 
    (continued from June 18, 2025) (see also E3)

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

  3. E3.6-month review - Richard Corrente, Portside Tavern, 444 Thames Street  re renewal of Dancing & Entertainment License, additionally requesting modification of License (to include  outdoor entertainment and add a secondary interior location) (continued from June 18, 2025)
    (see also E2)

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

  4. E4.6-month review - Cara Massey, Executive Director, Linden Place, 500 Hope Street  re - Dancing & Entertainment License  
    (continued from June 18, 2025)

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

  5. E5.6-month review -Allison Barr, Allison’s Pampered Pets, 7 Michael Drive – Modification of Kennel License (to increase number of dogs from 10 to 15 or more in residential zone)  (continued from June 18, 2025)

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator, Chief of Police and Animal Control Director

  6. E6.Junk Second Hand/Junk Dealer License Renewals 2026

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Police Chief

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Community Development

    c. recommendation - Town Administrator and Code Compliance Officer

F.Petitions - Other

  1. F1.Nils Weldy, on behalf of the Rhode Island Brewers Guild, requests permission to sell/serve alcohol on Town Leased Land for Ocean State Brewers Festival at Bristol Golf Park, 96 Broadcommon Road, on June 27, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM 

    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 Director Parks and Recreation

    e. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Public Works

  2. F2.Andrea Rounds, on behalf of the Steering Committee of Sowams Heritage, requests council consideration to adopt a resolution endorsing the designation of Sowams as a National Heritage Area 

    a. draft Resolution 2025-12-10-F2

  3. F3.Executive Director Guy, Pokanoket Management Group requests for Tax Abatement under Section 8 of the Tax Stabilization Agreement, Parcel 135-0012-000

    a. (copy) Caretaker Lease Agreement

    b. Affidavit from Sagamore William Guy

    c. Summary of Preservation Activities

    d. (copy) Resolution 2025-4-23-I3 - Recommendation to State Legislature to Amend R.I.G.L § 44-3-3 and R.I.G.L. § 45-13-5.1

    e. (copy) Tax Stabilization Agreement for Real Property Town of Bristol and The Pokanoket Management Group Effective as of December 31, 2024

    f. recommendation - Town Administrator and Tax Assessor/Collector

    g. Memorandum from the Town Solicitors Office

G.Appointments

  1. G1.Board of Tax Assessment Review - 2 three-year terms (1 Democratic Alternate and 1 Republican Alternate) set to expire December 2029

    a. Letter of recommendations from Republican Town Committee

    b. Letter of recommendations from Democratic Town Committee

  2. G2.Board of Tenants' Affairs - Appointments to fill 2 two-year  terms, set to expire January 2028

    a. Richard Hunter, 1014 Hope Street, Apt E6 - interest/reappointment

    b. Linda Heroux, 1014 Hope Street, Apt V3 - interest/reappointment

  3. G3.Bristol Housing Authority - Appointment to fill one term, set to expire January 2031

    a. Edward Correia 46 Varnum Avenue- Letter of interest/reappointment

    b. Recommendation - BHA Executive Director Pansa

  4. G4.Coastal Resources Management Council - Appointments to fill 1 one-year term, set to expire January 2027

    a. John Troiano, 707 Hope Street- interest/reappointment

  5. G5.Conservation Commission - 1 three-year term set to expire January 2028

    a. Raymond Payson, 131 Ferry Road - interest/reappointment

H.Old Business

  1. H1.Request to continue matter to January 28, 2026, re: RI State Police- Office of the Superintendent and Director of Public Safety requests approval of the installation of a Flock Safety camera in the Town of Bristol (continued from 11/12/2025)

  2. H2.(Continued from November 12, 2025, for adoption of proposed Resolution) Chief Lynch, Bristol Police Department - report on School Bus Safety Legislation and for council consideration to support a resolution to have the school department proactively review this legislation, to consider an RFQ like other communities. 

    a. (draft) Resolution

I.Other New Business Requiring Town Council Action

  1. I1.Public Notice from CRMC re - Christopher & Mary Fay, 476 Poppasquash Road, requires response by December 30, 2025 

    a. recommendation- Town Administrator and  Harbor Master

    b. recommendation - Bristol Harbor Commission

    c. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Community Development

  2. I2.Town Administrator Contente regarding Traffic Calming: Hopeworth Avenue

  3. I3.Town Administrator Contente regarding  Gooding and Metacom Avenue Pedestrian Signal Change

  4. I4.Town Administrator Contente update on Compost Sales Revenue and Operational Review

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 1074- Long-Term Lease for Former Byfield School Building 

  2. J2.Bid 1076 Catering Services for the Fourth of July Ball, June 20, 2026

  3. J3.RFQ 1077 Architectural Design Services and Construction Administration Services Former Guiteras School Reuse as Government Center/Town Hall

K.Special Reports

L.Town Solicitor

M.Executive Sessions

  1. M1.Town Administrator Contente requests for Executive Session Pursuant to RIGL § 42-46-5(a)(2)  litigation - Citizens Bank

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.Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 7, 2025

  2. (CA) AA2.Bristol 250th Commission Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2025

  3. (CA) AA3.Bristol 250th Commission Meeting Minutes - October 21, 2025

  4. (CA) AA4.Bristol Housing Authority Meeting Minutes - October 9, 2025

  5. (CA) AA5.Rogers Free Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes - September 18, 2025

  6. (CA) AA6.Bristol Warren Regional School Committee Business Meeting Minutes - August 25, 2025

  7. (CA) AA7.Bristol Harbor Commission Meeting Minutes - December 1, 2025

  8. (CA) AA8.Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 10, 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 November 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 November 

(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 2025-11-12- H2 - Support of Legislation Allowing the Town of Bristol to Provide Property Tax Relief to Owner-Occupied Mixed-Use Properties (signed)

  2. (CA) DD2.Resolution 2025-11-12-I1 BCI Checks for Applicants to Town Board, Commission, Committee or Town Appointment Positions (Adopted)

  3. (CA) DD3.Citation - Candace "Candy" Pansa (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.Thank You - Samaritans of Rhode Island

  2. (CA) GG2.Bid #1075 - Heat Pump System - Water Pollution Control Facility

  3. (CA) GG3.Clerk Cordeiro to State Senators and Representatives regarding support of resolution supporting property tax relief for owner-occupied mixed-use properties

  4. (CA) GG4.Director Williams - Herreshoff Marine Museum - Marina Expansion Proposal

(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 Fourth of July Committee Karaoke Fundraiser Sub-Committee Meeting - November 13, 2025

  2. (CA) HH2.Bristol Fourth of July Committee Souvenir Sub-Committee Meeting - November 13, 2025

  3. (CA) HH3.Bristol Fourth of July Committee Macaroni Supper Sub-Committee Meeting - November 19th, 2025

  4. (CA) HH4.Housing Authority Meeting Calendar 2026

  5. (CA) HH5.Bristol County Water Authority Finance Committee Meeting - November 13, 2025

  6. (CA) HH6.The North and East Burial Grounds Commission Meeting - November 12, 2025

  7. (CA) HH7.Town of Bristol Housing Authority Meeting - November 13,2025

  8. (CA) HH8.Bristol Technical Review Committee Meeting - November 20, 2025

  9. (CA) HH9.Bristol 250th Commission Meeting - November 18, 2025

  10. (CA) HH10.Planning Board Meeting - November 13, 2025

  11. (CA) HH11.Zoning Board of Review Meeting - December 1, 2025

  12. (CA) HH12.Planning Board Comprehensive Plan Update Meeting - November 20, 2025

  13. (CA) HH13.Bristol Fourth of July Committee 250th Celebration Meeting - November 19, 2025

  14. (CA) HH14.Bristol Fourth of July Committee General Committee Meeting - November 19, 2025

  15. (CA) HH15.Bristol Fourth of July Fireworks Subcommittee Meeting - November 20, 2025

  16. (CA) HH16.Bristol Fourth of July Interfaith Subcommittee Meeting - November 20, 2025

  17. (CA) HH17.Rogers Free Library Board of Trustees Meeting - November 20, 2025

  18. (CA) HH18.Properties Committee Meeting - December 3, 2025

  19. (CA) HH19.Harbor Commission Meeting - December 1, 2025

  20. (CA) HH20.Capital Projects Commission Meeting - November 25, 2025

  21. (CA) HH21.Bristol Harbor Protection Team Meeting - December 1, 2025

  22. (CA) HH22.Conservation Commission Meeting - December 2, 2025

  23. (CA) HH23.Historic District Commission Meeting - December 4, 2025

  24. (CA) HH24.Town of Bristol Housing Authority Meeting - December 11, 2025

  25. (CA) HH25.Bristol Fourth of July Committee 2026 General Committee Meetings

  26. (CA) HH26.Bristol Fourth of July Committee Music and Entertainment - Concerts Meeting - December 9, 2025

  27. (CA) HH27.Bristol Fourth of July Committee Promotions Meeting - December 9, 2025

  28. (CA) HH28.Town of Bristol Housing Authority Meeting - December 11, 2025

  29. (CA) HH29.Town of Bristol Housing Authority Meeting - December 11, 2025

(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.Zackary Brodeur, 15 Rose Lane, Shannock, RI - claim for damage

(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: December 5, 2025