Council, Board of Finance approve bonds and appropriations for high‑school roof repairs

The joint meeting of the City Council and Board of Finance approved an additional appropriation of $251,800 and related bond authorizations to pay for temporary roof repairs at Bristol Eastern and Bristol Central High Schools.

Officials said the money comes from capital reserve funds and that the repairs are temporary patches while longer-term solutions are developed. The council and board approved two separate appropriations and corresponding bond resolutions: $83,130 for restoration at Bristol Eastern High School and $168,670 for Bristol Central High School. A separate unanimous vote authorized reallocating unexpected bond proceeds from other capital projects to the two roof projects.

Finance chair and other members characterized the spending as an emergency capital action intended to protect school buildings until full renovations can be scheduled. Each resolution was moved, seconded and approved at roll call; the meeting record shows the motions passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance: the motions to appropriate funds and to authorize issuance of bonds for the two school roof projects were adopted unanimously by the joint body.

The council said the temporary fixes will be followed by further capital planning; board members thanked the Board of Finance and capital improvement staff for moving the emergency repairs through the approval process.

The council did not set or announce a definitive timetable for permanent roof replacement at either school during the meeting.