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Select Board weighs shrinking Old Bristol Days, keeps fireworks and considers municipal digital sign
Summary
Board members and parks staff said volunteer shortages and liability concerns have left Old Bristol Days difficult to run in its historic form; the board discussed limiting town involvement to parade, band and fireworks, and requested cost and ordinance language for a proposed municipal digital sign.
The Bristol Select Board spent significant time reviewing the future of Old Bristol Days and a separate proposal for a municipal digital sign. Staff and board members said volunteer shortages and insurance/liability demands have made the multi-event festival harder to sustain in the town’s traditional format.
Parks staff and board members described a pattern of declining vendor and business participation and inconsistent volunteer commitment. One parks official summarized the options that had been discussed: reduce the town-coordinated portion to core elements (the parade, band and fireworks), allow independent groups to stage side events (car shows, races), or pause the festival until volunteer capacity returns. The board indicated the parade and fireworks are the most valued elements and discussed leaving those in the town’s program while allowing other events to proceed independently.
The board also reviewed the town’s carryover funds earmarked for fireworks and said staff will produce clear budget figures for the warrant. At the meeting a figure for fireworks carryover was discussed by staff; because the transcript contains inconsistent references the exact carryover figure is not specified here and will be confirmed with town accounting. The board noted an estimated vendor insurance requirement and the difficulty some vendors would have meeting that cost; members discussed the option of waiving entrance fees if vendors must carry liability insurance.
On a separate but related topic, the board examined a proposal for a municipal digital sign (possible location: Ellenwood Park). Select Board members agreed an ordinance change would be required to authorize a municipal sign, and asked staff to gather pricing, draft ordinance language and suggested content policy. The board discussed sign dimensions (several sizes were considered, including 4x6 and 6x4 displays) and a possible cost split among four town departments (school, parks, town office and public works). Members emphasized aesthetics and a modest size so the display fits town character.
What happens next: staff will confirm the fireworks carryover amount with the auditor and produce a proposed warrant article and draft ordinance text for the digital sign with cost estimates and content controls for Select Board review.
