[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6573149,"mediaKeyId","3112225-6e6c1dad3ce432923e84cce0ccc81a84","parentId",3112225,"title","Bristol council approves routine ordinances, permits and referrals; adopts mental health proclamation","audioSeconds",5556,"startMs",544000,"endMs",6100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112225-6e6c1dad3ce432923e84cce0ccc81a84&start=544&end=6100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112225-6e6c1dad3ce432923e84cce0ccc81a84/thumbnail_544000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6573149/Rhode-Island/Bristol-council-approves-routine-ordinances-permits-and-referrals-adopts-mental-health-proclamation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573149-2c3be29edd54111d6ba62f58427421e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151344&Signature=L8rZkz1hDuQ~L~yb000Lt0wIRCHx4U1RsnCFLYh~w0phef4WJb-O3lYNufyNI1AXWSwC~V12GWtcerOMjOMScJyZV8Dhut8fcvk2VQuAZrlxrAI9gtsgpzDsu6P9p-7IVKE4pc1QhYpNkbrwkyg92bRxv3dOB5FszifS9oBvUyXjaVoldAAWgGmBilWS-0UHNx5LTnGsGOFr~dkIX~zxORw2JaBQNcbtgPeV9xZheibt7tuNqt173S8V9c8fK4zM8ija-f-qsmK4xUky8eh4QGuW4snrPOq1F0otquMxJ-2bovsGQQmh5IxGJTkAfZbSJc-8V7KcIlXnD2vpdOMRVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Bristol, Rhode Island","date","2025-04-24T15:21:40.033Z","article","At the April 23 meeting the Bristol Town Council approved multiple first readings, event permits, appointments and referrals and adopted a proclamation declaring May Mental Health Awareness Month. Many items were approved by voice vote with little debate; several bid openings and ordinance referrals were sent to staff for final review and action.

Notable actions and outcomes

- Ordinances (first reading/consent to call for public hearing):
- Ordinance 2025-3 (Chapter 17, Article 2 ' Alcoholic Beverage Establishments): decrease limited BB licenses from 8 to 7 — considered for first reading and approved to proceed.
- Ordinance 2025-4 (Chapter 17, offenses and miscellaneous provisions ' alcoholic beverages): increase BV licenses from 32 to 33 — first reading approved.
- Ordinance 2025-5 (Chapter 16, motor vehicles and traffic ' stopping/standing/parking): no-parking box across from 28 Shaws Lane — first reading approved.
- Ordinance 2025-6 (Chapter 16, residential parking): designate portions of Hope Street as residential parking — first reading approved.
- Ordinance 2025-7 (Chapter 28, zoning): adoption of 2024 legislative session changes; first reading and call for public hearing May 28 — approved to proceed.

- Event permits and licenses approved (motions based on Community Development / police recommendations):
- Dewolf Tavern Oysterfest: one-day liquor license extension and banner permissions for event June 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — approved.
- Bristol Sports Club bingo (May 22) — approved.
- Mobile Food Truck permit for Bristol Fourth of July Committee outdoor concert series at Roger Williams (June 21'July 2) — approved.
- Franklin Court Assisted Living ' bingo/bridal license May 14 benefit (community room) — approved; Angela Cabral, Franklin Court administrator, spoke about fundraising to send residents to PPAC.

- Resolutions and proclamations:
- F1: Resolution to remove an accessible parking space (second reading) ' adopted.
- F2: Health Equity Zone request and proclamation declaring May Mental Health Awareness Month; council adopted proclamation and received invitation for May 9 suicide-prevention ribbon installation; Lynn Patton and Melissa Goldstein addressed the council.
- F3: Request to fly the Armenian flag at Bristol Town Hall on April 24 ' approved.

- Administrative and procedural referrals:
- Harbor Master proposal to add vehicle-load restrictions at Independence Park boat ramp ' council referred ordinance language to the solicitor with amendment setting the fine at $500 and asked solicitor to draft for first reading.
- Bid tabulations and contract referrals (professional auditing services, marina skimmer, tree sourcing/delivery, Gibson Road shoreline improvements) ' referred to the town administrator and relevant department heads to act in the town's best interest; several low bids and tabulations were presented at the meeting.
- Capital Projects Commission: accepted Charles Coelho's resignation, elevated alternate Alan Spen to full member and authorized advertisement for an alternate seat.

Most items were approved by motion with a second and voice vote; where the transcript recorded who made motions it consistently showed Councilors Tony, Tim and Mary making or seconding motions on consent agenda items. Where bids were opened the council referred award decisions to the town administrator and department staff for final action.

Votes recorded by voice vote only: most consent and event-permit items were adopted by voice vote; the transcript does not include roll-call tallies for these items. For the contested Fourth of July venue and parade petitions (covered in a separate article), the council voted to deny both petitions by motion and voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bristol, RI Town Council Meeting - Wednesday, April 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 23 meeting the Town Council approved several first readings of ordinances, event permits, and referrals of bids and ordinances to staff and the solicitor. The council also adopted a proclamation declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month and approved several event permits and other routine items by voice vote.","taxTitle","Town of Bristol, Bristol County, Rhode Island","taxId",72927,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6573154,"Bristol council denies petitions to fix Fourth of July concert venue and parade route after safety debate",3841,1472000,5313000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112225-6e6c1dad3ce432923e84cce0ccc81a84&start=1472&end=5313","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112225-6e6c1dad3ce432923e84cce0ccc81a84/thumbnail_1472000.jpg","/articles/6573154/Rhode-Island/Bristol-council-denies-petitions-to-fix-Fourth-of-July-concert-venue-and-parade-route-after-safety-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573154-a9341a0aa6a775df3bd393ac63d1fdc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151344&Signature=cNOVqfSwnGqIPUUd2ZmdSA88z9ju04kMqKGSZK3pqBdyz-ztG-iPCuvYVjSrL1o1tqT9DU0cGchqTX~rGujPMZxhrv3TqVSMM6bmiUipgoRN52ot1dPfuniREYkT7n6UDv1FOHCnJvbpLmHYgtUxKZpQwwyS9KI8SNnB0~VUgiA6UCwWE6prWQwG7DmaAKF7~mKuh2bphEmfurepfj-DDykQ-T4WectxRxLQL-cnxAJq-kFaGFBbVSXrsjX2AsTHpn6lBs4XtAnIZ7g4f4OpigRGIJs1N6xnLXwDRo824j9-XGiUvDW7qIZmMZiyFVmtMkyWqhzmsAIoQxzLhNrAww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bristol Town Council on April 23 voted to deny two citizen petitions that sought to (1) designate Independence Park as the permanent venue for the town's Fourth of July concert series and (2) fix the parade route by ordinance. The motion to deny both petitions was made by Councilor Tony and seconded by Councilor Mary; the council approved the motion by voice vote.

The petitions reached the council after petitioners collected the signatures required to place their proposals before the body. Town Solicitor explained the petition process under the town charter section 503, saying petitioners first must present at least 150 signatures for council consideration and, if the council declines, may collect 1,000 signatures to force the question before voters. The solicitor told the council it must decide within 40 days after receipt.

Petitioners said Independence Park is the traditional, centrally located venue that draws residents downtown and supports local businesses. Anne Marie LaRoche read a letter from petitioner Lisonbee Borges saying the petition had attracted more than 1,900 signatures and raised about $20,000 in fundraising, and urging the council to adopt ordinances that would give voters the right to change venue only through a public vote. \"Independence Park is a beautiful and centrally located venue in the heart of town within walking distance to many residents' homes, local businesses, the bike path, bringing the entire community together,\" the letter read.

Police officials and the town administrator urged caution. Chief (Bristol Police Department) described an after-action review of the 2024 concerts and identified recurring safety and crowd-control issues when attendance grew beyond the park's footprint. \"Prior to any major event . . . the Bristol Police Department prepares a comprehensive safety plan. We look at traffic. We look at estimated crowd size. We look at issues with parking. We look at vehicle-borne threats,\" the chief said. Captain Steven St. Pierre, who authored the department's after-action report, described operational problems in 2024 when crowds spilled into roadways and limited access for emergency response.

Town Administrator (title used in meeting) also supported the police assessment, saying the combination of ungated, high-attendance concerts and limited ingress/egress raises hazards that would be difficult to mitigate by ordinance alone. He noted alternatives such as gated ticketed events or more robust crowd-control measures but emphasized that the volunteer Fourth of July Committee and town departments need flexibility to respond to safety findings.

Members of the Fourth of July Committee and other residents opposed locking the venue into law. Patty Nena, who identified herself as chair of the concert effort, said volunteers raise the money and organize the event and expressed frustration that petitioners did not consult committee leadership before launching the effort: \"We didn't take moving this lightly. We didn't think about it and go, 'yeah, let's do it tomorrow.' We had a very strong discussion.\" Committee members and other speakers stressed that some bands and some crowds in the past have produced behavior the committee judged unacceptable and that the volunteers must be able to manage lineup and logistics.

After more than an hour of presentations and public comment, Councilor Tony moved to deny both petitions; Councilor Mary seconded. The council approved the motion by voice vote. The meeting record shows the motion passed; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

Under the process the solicitor described, petitioners who nonetheless wish to pursue a binding public ballot on the matter may return to collect 1,000 valid signatures from qualified electors. The solicitor said if petitioners secure those signatures the matter would go before voters as a ballot question with a title and summary prepared for the electorate.

The council's action preserves the town's ability to permit concert venues or route changes administratively or by committee recommendation rather than by ordinance, leaving flexibility to adapt plans based on public-safety needs, infrastructure constraints, and committee input.","After an extended public debate and presentations from the police and town administration about safety and crowd-control challenges, the Bristol Town Council voted to deny two citizen petitions that would have set Independence Park as the permanent concert venue and locked the parade route into ordinance.","actionData","errors"]

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Bristol council approves routine ordinances, permits and referrals; adopts mental health proclamation

Bristol council denies petitions to fix Fourth of July concert venue and parade route after safety debate