The Aug. 21 meeting of the Bristol Town Council featured a few significant issues, including a neighborhood dealing with parking issues, a change of ownership of one of the downtown’s most well-known watering holes, and a request to acknowledge Bristol’s historic home to the indigenous Pokanoket.

Parking problem

Two second readings with no discussion were quickly approved by the Council over the matters of adding a curbside loading zone with no daytime parking to the west side of Thames Street between Church and Constitution streets, as well as designating two dedicated spots at the western end, north side of Constitution Street for the Urban Coastal Greenway, the extension of the boardwalk on the water side of the new Yarn Mill development. According to Community Development Director Diane Williamson, this was a specific requirement of the Coastal Resources Management Council prior to their approval of the boardwalk.

A contingent of residents from the 1st School Street neighborhood appeared before the Council with a request to add their streets to the growing number of downtown streets restricting overnight parking to residents only.

After the sale of the Robin Rug complex terminated the parking/rental agreements with many Prudence Island residents and visitors, finding weekend parking near the ferry has become difficult for many. As restrictions now exist on most streets between Wood and the waterfront, non-residents have been parking in the 1st School Street neighborhood, already congested with the vehicles of several multi-family residences.

One resident even noted that the website of A&R, the company that operates the ferry, directs its customers to park east of Wood Street. Noting that there are spaces available for lease at Unity Park, Town Administrator Steven Contente agreed that the issue was problematic and he will discuss it with A&R. He and Williamson will meet to discuss a plan to add several neighborhood streets to the list of those with resident-restricted parking and present their plan at a future Council meeting.

License for Judge Roy Bean transferred

The meeting also featured the new owners of Judge Roy Bean receiving all requested approvals including transfer of ownership and the liquor, victualing, sidewalk alcohol, and dancing and entertainment licenses.

Though the new owner of the establishment, Cruz Goler, is not ready to disclose too many details prior to the official conclusion of the deal, he did tell the Council that he intends to keep the basic business model intact but elevate the culinary focus.

Dancing and entertainment licenses were also approved for Foglia and The Franklin, while The Nest had its license extended to Nov. 30 (when all are scheduled for renewal) with the successful completion of their probation following a couple of violations dating back to the spring.

Land acknowledgement, port marker maintenance referred to solicitor

Resident Tony Morettini presented a proposal to the Council to adopt a land acknowledgment statement and establish usage guidelines, providing letters of support from organizations including the Bristol Historical & Preservation Society, Save Bristol Harbor, the Bristol Warren Regional School District, the Middle Passage Port Marker Project, and the Sowams Heritage Area Project.

The land acknowledgement itself is a simple, three-sentence statement:

“Welcome to Sowams, the home of the Pokanoket Tribe for over ten thousand (10,000) years prior to settler colonization. We acknowledge that our community was a part of the larger ancestral homeland of the Pokanoket Tribe, and we recognize the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous People and their traditional territories. As the place of Metacom's Seat, at the base of Potumtuk (Mount Hope), let this acknowledgement serve as a reminder of our ongoing responsibility to recognize, honor, reconcile and partner with the Pokanoket Tribal people for the benefit of the lands and water of Sowams.”

Speaking in support of the resolution, Tracy, Dancing Star, Sachem of the Pokanoket Tribe, said, “Knowing the history of the land which you inhabit is a very important step toward taking pride and finding value in the land. The story of the Pokanoket Tribe and its role in history has shaped Bristol into what it is today.”

Citing his concern that the language could be problematic, Councilor Tony Teixeira suggested it should be sent to the Solicitor for review, something that led Councilor Aaron Ley to mention that he has never encountered legal problems with a land acknowledgement.

“I think acceptance tonight is important because it sends a strong message that we recognize their history and want a sustainable future for the Pokanoket,” said Councilor Tim Sweeney. Nonetheless, the three sentences went off to the the solicitor for review.

As did the following item, a request by resident and Port Marker Project Board Secretary Steven O’Neill that the town adopt a resolution stating that they will be maintaining the Port Marker site. The maintenance has already been agreed upon, in writing, in the Independence Park Management Agreement — but the group needs the piece of paper to present to the department of Transportation before they can get final approval for the site, which will presumably be forthcoming at the next Council meeting.