Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Votes Consent Agenda topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bristol council approves routine ordinances, permits and referrals; adopts mental health proclamation
Summary
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.
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.
