Town Council Meeting Wednesday, October 28, 2026 07:00 PM Town Hall - 10 Court Street, Bristol Rhode Island *Amended Agenda

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/82199661429, or by visiting zoom.com meeting code 821-9966-1429. 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:

November 18, 2026 - Town Council Meeting
December 7, 2026 - Reorganizational 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 (draft) Meeting Minutes - October 7, 2026

B.Public Hearings

  1. B1.Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application Public hearing regarding proposed activities for inclusion in the Town of Bristol’s 2026 Community Development Block Grant application, including Renovation of the Walley School building – $500,000; the Renovation of the Looking Upwards Property – $125,000; and the Bristol Home Repair Program- Amt. TBD. 

    Also under consideration is the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Town to file the CDBG application.

  2. B2.Albert Quito, Quito's Shellfish and Restaurant, Inc. 411 Thames Street, request Transfer of Class BV Liquor License to Serve Up Hospitality, LLC d/b/a Q's Waterfront by O.M.G. with Expansion of Licensed Premises (new ownership – Adam Oppenheimer, Frank Martucci, and Anthony Guaetta) (see also D1, D2, D3) (continued from October 7th)

    a. Notice of Claim - Alan Sousa, Bay View Farms d/b/a Mello's Fruit

    b. Notice of Claim - McLaughlin & Moran, Inc.

    c. Notice of Claim - Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits and Mancini Beverage

    d. Notice of Claim - NPTLC, LLC d/b/a Newport Lobster Company

    e. Notice of Claim - Empire Bottling Works

    f. Notice of Claims - MS Walker of RI, Inc. and Johnson Brothers of RI, Inc.

    g. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    h. recommendation - Town Administrator and Fire Chief

    i. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Community Development

    j. D'Amico Burchfield - letter to request to withdraw transfer of BV Liquor License (received at meeting 10/7)

    k. Town Solicitor -Superior Court filing  (received at meeting 10/7)

C.Ordinances

  1. C1.Ordinance No. 2026-13, Chapter 17, Article II, Alcoholic Beverage Establishments, Section 17-82, Number of Licenses (to reduce the number of Class BVL licenses from six (6) to five (5); remove the number of Class T licenses; and change the Class BT license classification to Class BH, establishing one (1) Class BH license) (2nd reading)

D.Licensing Board - New Petitions

  1. D1.Frank Martucci, Serve Up Hospitality, LLC d/b/a Q's Waterfront by O.M.G., 411 Thames Street request for transfer of Class BV Liquor License with Expansion of Licensed Premises (transfer from Albert Quito, Quito's Restaurant & Bar) (see also B2, D2, D3) (continued from October 7th)

    a. Notice of Claim - Alan Sousa, Bay View Farms d/b/a Mello's Fruit

    b. Notice of Claim - McLaughlin & Moran, Inc.

    c. Notice of Claim - Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits and Mancini Beverage

    d. Notice of Claim - NPTLC, LLC d/b/a Newport Lobster Company

    e. Notice of Claim - Empire Bottling Works

    f. Notice of Claims - MS Walker of RI, Inc. and Johnson Brothers of RI, Inc.

    g. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    h. recommendation - Town Administrator and Fire Chief

    i. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Community Development

  2. D2.Frank Martucci, Serve Up Hospitality, LLC d/b/a Q's Waterfront by O.M.G., 411 Thames Street request for Victualling License (see also D1, D3) (continued from October 7th)

    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

  3. D3.Anthony Guaetta, Serve Up Hospitality, LLC d/b/a Q's Waterfront by O.M.G., 411 Thames Street request for Dancing & Entertainment License (see also D1, D2) (continued from October 7th)

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Fire Chief

    c. letter of concern - Howard G. Sutton, President Stone Harbour Homeowners Association

  4. D4.Paula Morrissette, for the James D. Riley Foundation, request for Mobile Food Establishment Event Permit for Saturday, November 21, 2026 (rain date - Sunday, November 22, 2026) from 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM for the Bristol Santa House - Opening Day Party (see also D5)

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Fire Chief

    c. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Public Works

  5. D5.Paula Morrissette for the James D. Riley Foundation, request for One Day Dancing & Entertainment License for Saturday, November 21, 2026 (rain date - Sunday, November 22, 2026) from 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM for the Bristol Santa House - Opening Day Party (see also D4)

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Fire Chief

  6. D6.Fatima Milhomens, St. Elizabeth's Church, Santo Cristo Committee, 577 Wood Street request for One Day Dancing & Entertainment License for a Dinner Fundraiser, November 14, 2026, from 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Police Chief

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Fire Chief

  7. D7.Nhuong Thi Voccio, A New Beginning Salon & Spa, 93 Gooding Avenue, request for Tattoo License (Permanent Makeup)

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Police Chief

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Dept. of Community Development

E.Licensing Board - Renewals

F.Petitions - Other

  1. F1.Denise DiOrio Javery, 26 Tanglewood Drive, Riverside request for Off-Season Parking Rental Cost Adjustment from $125 to $75

    a. recommendations- Town Administrator and Harbor Master

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Harbor Commission

  2. F2.Emilio F. Volpicelli, 4 Adelaide Avenue - request for accessible parking spot in front of residence

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Public Works

  3. F3.Patricia Fonseca, 21 Massasoit Avenue request to reduce speed limit on Massasoit Avenue from 25 MPH to 10 MPH

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

  4. F4.Bristol Police Department request to amend the Town Ordinance to reduce the posted speed limit on Charles Street and Richmond Street from 25 MPH to 20 MPH to reflect current signage. 

G.Appointments

  1. G1.Brenda Turchetta, Executive Director, Mount Hope Trust - request to Amend Bylaws of Mount Hope Trust (Article IV, Section 2, Paragraph 3)

  2. G2.Harbor Commission Advisory Committee - 1 three-year, unexpired term, set to expire July 2029

    a. James Ferrato, 23 Noyes Avenue - interest/appointment

    b. Timothy Sebst, 7 Basswood Drive- (withdrawn at this time)

H.Old Business

  1. H1.Richard Rocha, 9 Jessica Drive, requests the installment of two stop signs at the intersection of Kathy Court and Jessica Drive (continued from August 19th

  2. H2.Councilman Ley: Discussion and consideration of the potential impacts of data centers on the Town and related zoning regulations regarding their construction and siting in Bristol (continued from August 19th)

    a. Community Development Director Williamson, - Proposed Zoning Amendment regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Centers

I.Other New Business Requiring Town Council Action

  1. I1.Town Administrator Contente –Request for Consideration of the Sale of the Reynolds School Building, 253 High Street- Including Presentation and Discussion of the Highlights of the Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Sale of the Property. (Any Proposed Sale is Subject to a Subsequent Public Hearing and Town Council Approval)

  2. I2.*Councilman Sweeney - Bristol Christmas Festival & Austrian Market (December 5 & 6, 2026).  Review and discuss the status and coordination of the event between the Bristol Christmas Festival Committee, Town of Bristol, Unity Park LLC, and Roger Williams University.  Possible votes, including regarding the Memorandum of Agreement.

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

K.Special Reports

  1. K1.BCWA Tri Town Monthly Report September 24, 2026

L.Town Solicitor

M.Executive Sessions

  1. M1.Executive Session pursuant to RIGL § 42-46-4, (a)(2) potential litigation(s) and all pending litigation(s)

  2. M2.Executive Session pursuant to RIGL§ 42-46-4 (a) (1)-Any discussions of the job performance, character, or physical or mental health of a person or persons

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.Zoning Board of Review Meeting Minutes - September 14, 2026

  2. (CA) AA2.Bristol Fire Department Board of Engineers Meeting Minutes - October 5, 2026

  3. (CA) AA3.Bristol Harbor Commission Meeting Minutes - October 5, 2026

  4. (CA) AA4.Town of Bristol Housing Authority Meeting Minutes - August 20, 2026

  5. (CA) AA5.Town of Bristol Housing Authority Meeting Minutes - September 02, 2026

  6. (CA) AA6.Town of Bristol Housing Authority Meeting Minutes - October 01, 2026

  7. (CA) AA7.Bristol Harbor Commission Meeting Minutes - October 5, 2026

  8. (CA) AA8.Board of Canvassers Meeting Minutes - October 13, 2026

  9. (CA) AA9.Bristol Planning Board Minutes - September 10, 2026

(CA) BB.Budget Adjustments

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

  1. (CA) BB1.Tax Assessor Leadem recommended Abatements & Additions - October 2026

(CA) CC.Financial Reports

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

(CA) DD.Proclamations, Resolutions & Citations

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

  1. (CA) DD1.Citation - Bristol Land Conservation Trust 40th Anniversary

  2. (CA) DD2.Citation - Caron Jewelers, Joe Caron and Diane Berube-Catanzaro

  3. (CA) DD3.Citation - Tragmar Ale Works, Michael Godet and Chris Kerr

(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.Town of Exeter Resolution 2026-22 - Requesting the Rhode Island General Assembly to Relieve Cities and Towns of the Unfunded Mandate to Prepare Emergency Action Plans for Privately Owned Dams, and to End the Penalizing of Municipalities for Owner Noncompliance

  2. (CA) FF2.Town of Exeter Resolution 2026-21 - Supporting Glocester and Other Rhode Island Municipalities Seeking Reform of Dam Emergency Action Plan Requirements

(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.Thank you - Herman Martin, North and Each Burial Ground Commission

  3. (CA) GG3.Thank You - Edward Correia, Bristol Housing Authority

  4. (CA) GG4.Greater Providence Board of Realtors - Information on Salute to Local Government event 

  5. (CA) GG5.FEMA Region I Mitigation Division - Public Notice upgrades to seawalls Independence Park and Maritime Center (Thames Street)

(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.Building Board of Appeals Agenda - October 7, 2026

  2. (CA) HH2.Planning Board Meeting - October 8, 2026

  3. (CA) HH3.Conservation Commission Meeting - October 6, 2026

  4. (CA) HH4.Bristol Fourth of July Committee General Committee Meeting - October 13, 2026

  5. (CA) HH5.Recreation Board Meeting - October 14, 2026

  6. (CA) HH6.North and East Burial Grounds Commission Meeting - October 14, 2026

  7. (CA) HH7.Bristol Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Meeting - October 8, 2026

  8. (CA) HH8.Bristol Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Meeting Rescheduled - November 19, 2026

  9. (CA) HH9.Bristol Fourth of July Committee 2027 General Committee Meetings

  10. (CA) HH10.Bristol Housing Authority 2027 Board Meetings

  11. (CA) HH11.Planning Board Comprehensive Plan Update Meeting - October 22, 2026

  12. (CA) HH12.Bristol Planning Board Technical Review Committee Meeting - October 28, 2026

  13. (CA) HH13.Bristol Planning Board Technical Review Committee Meeting - October 28, 2026

  14. (CA) HH14.Bristol Christmas Festival Committee Meeting - October 21, 2026

  15. (CA) HH15.Historic District Commission Meeting - November 05, 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”

(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”

  1. (CA) KK1.Jessica Vieira, 19 San Jose Drive - request for curb cut

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Public Works

Adjourned: ______________________

/mc

Posted: October 23, 2026